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Australia’s gold rush history stands out in Bendigo, where you can discover Chinese heritage, Australia’s oldest working pottery and a thriving food and wine scene. Positioned almost in the centre of Victoria, Bendigo is surrounded by national parks, and its city centre reveals vibrant street art and interesting antique stores.

Things to do

Begin your Bendigo holiday by roaming around Rosalind Park in the centre of town, which has an 1800s conservatory and shady walking paths. You’ll find numerous sights around the park, including Bendigo Art Gallery, home to British and Australian paintings from the 19th century, and the Victorian-era Bendigo Post Office.

Visiting with the kids? Head to Discovery Science & Technology Centre, where you can partake in hands-on science experiments, look at stars from the footpaths and join coding and programming workshops. Don’t forget to visit The Zone Fun Park, which has paintball courses, go karting, mini golf, laser tag, roller skating and an on-site cafe.

Discover Bendigo’s gold rush history by descending 228 metres into Central Deborah Gold Mine, where you can enjoy a guided tour through the tunnels while learning about the mining techniques. You can also ride the historic Bendigo Tramways Talking Tram, which takes you on an immersive journey through Bendigo’s past and even includes a blues band on the Blues Tram trip.

Satisfy your hunger cravings at Mr Beebe’s, which serves share plates of dry-aged beef, or at the Italian-inspired Borchelli Ristorante. Afterwards, head to the award-winning Balgownie Estate Wines, which has a museum, cafe and wine tastings in its cellar door. The menu here is inspired by French provincial food and incorporates fresh local ingredients.

Getting around

Bendigo is about two hours from Melbourne whether you drive or catch the train along the Bendigo line. Once you’re in town, you can use Bendigo’s extensive bus network or local taxis to get around.