There’s a wonderful moment when you walk through the enormous wooden doors into the main gallery of the Golden Dragon Museum and see, for the first time, the dragons.
Not just any dragons, mind you. These are imperial processional dragons that have paraded through the streets of Bendigo for more than a century, winding their way through the city at Easter to the delight of thousands of spectators.
The newest, called Dai Gum Loong, stretches an incredible 125 metres and is believed to be the longest imperial dragon in the world.
But more than just a spectacular object, it’s also a living symbol of the deep connection between Bendigo and its Chinese community that stretches back to the gold rush in the 1850s.
At its peak, around 20 per cent of Bendigo’s population was Chinese and their cultural influence shaped the city in profound ways. Visiting the Golden Dragon Museum tells this story in several ways.
The dragons are just one part of a much larger museum that has lots of other artefacts and information boards about the Chinese community and the city. It may sound a bit specialised, but I think it’s one of the best things to do in Bendigo.
What’s here?
The museum is organised around several main areas that work together to tell the story of Chinese Bendigo.
The centrepiece is the dragon gallery, where you’ll find the three magnificent imperial dragons. Loong, dating from 1892, is heritage-listed and considered the oldest imperial dragon in the world still in existence.
Sun Loong, at over 100 metres long, held the title of world’s longest until 2019. And Dai Gum Loong, covered in more than 7000 handmade scales, now claims that honour at 125 metres.
Surrounding the dragons are displays of the extraordinary processional regalia that accompanied them in Bendigo’s Easter parades. There are richly embroidered theatrical costumes made from silk and gold bullion thread, representing scholars, generals, soldiers, princesses and emperors.
The museum also houses an impressive collection of Chinese furniture and decorative arts, much of it donated by private collectors. You’ll find ornate screens, thrones and chairs, often inlaid with jade.
There’s also a significant collection of Chinese currency, from ancient knife money to 20th-century paper notes.
Also, in the forecourt of the museum (before you need to pay an entry fee), is the Yi Yi Yuan Gardens, with traditional Chinese architecture, marble sculptures, and hand-painted murals based on classical gardens within Beijing’s Imperial Palace.
How to visit?
The Golden Dragon Museum is located in the Dai Gum San precinct, right on the edge of Rosalind Park and about a five-minute walk from the Visitor Information Centre.
If you’re driving, there are paid metered spots in the Tom Flood car park right behind the museum.
The museum is normally open every day except Monday, although it’s also open all week during Victorian school holidays and most public holidays.
I would recommend spending about an hour here to see all the different exhibits and read the information signs. You may want to spend some time in the surrounding gardens too.
The Emperor’s Dragon Restaurant at the entrance serves light meals and refreshments if you need a break, and there’s a well-stocked gift shop with Chinese crafts, books and souvenirs.
All areas of the museum, gardens and temple are accessible by wheelchair.
Where is the Golden Dragon Museum?
The Golden Dragon Museum is in the Dai Gum San precinct on Bridge Street, just a short walk from Bendigo’s city centre.
The address is 1-11 Bridge Street, Bendigo, VIC, 3550.
You can see it on a map here.
How do you get to the Golden Dragon Museum?
If you’re walking, the museum is just off Pall Mall, a few hundred metres northeast of the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre.
If you’re driving, the museum is easy to find and there’s plenty of paid street parking nearby.
By public transport, lots of buses go along Pall Mall and stop near the museum. The Vintage Talking Tram also stops nearby.
When is the Golden Dragon Museum open?
The Golden Dragon Museum is open:
Tuesday – Sunday: 9:30 – 17:00 (last entry at 16:30).
It’s also open Mondays during Victorian school holidays.
What is the Golden Dragon Museum entrance fee?
General entry (17 or older): $16
Concession: $13
Children (aged 5-16): $10
Family (2 adults + 2 children): $40
Children under 5: Free
You can find more details at the official website of the Golden Dragon Museum.
Is it worth it?
The Golden Dragon Museum is absolutely worth visiting, and I’d rank it among the most important cultural attractions in Bendigo.
What sets this museum apart is how it tells a story that’s both uniquely Bendigo and universally significant. The Chinese gold rush experience is a crucial part of Australian history that often gets glossed over, and here it’s brought to life through objects of remarkable beauty and cultural significance.
The dragons alone are worth the entry fee. Seeing them up close and understanding the craftsmanship involved gives you a great sense of what the annual Easter parade must be like.
The museum does an excellent job of appealing to different types of visitors.
Families will find it engaging (kids are often fascinated by the dragons and the interactive elements), while history buffs and culture enthusiasts can delve into the detailed information provided throughout the displays.
What’s new?
The biggest event on the calendar each year is the Bendigo Easter Festival, held over the Easter long weekend. This is when the dragons come out onto the streets and you can see them in action!
The festival has been a Bendigo tradition since 1871 and the Chinese community has been an integral part of it since those early days. You can check the dates and details of the next Bendigo Easter Festival online.
The museum also hosts various Chinese cultural celebrations throughout the year, including the Harvest Moon Festival in September and activities during the school holidays.
If you’re planning a visit to Bendigo, checking the museum’s events calendar is worthwhile, as there are often workshops, talks or cultural performances taking place.
What else?
As well as the main museum, you’ll find the beautiful Yi Yuan Gardens and the Guan Yin Temple at the front of the site, with more examples of Chinese culture.
If you want to explore even more about the Chinese heritage in the city, I would recommend the Bendigo Joss House Temple. Built in the 1870s, it was one of seven Chinese temples built around the area to serve the goldfields.
From the Golden Dragon Museum, you can get the tram to the Bendigo Joss House Temple, which is at one end of the line. At the other end of the line is the Central Deborah Gold Mine, a good way to learn about the whole reason Chinese people originally came here.
Of course, there are lots of other things to do in Bendigo that are easily accessible from the museum, including the Bendigo Art Gallery and the heritage-listed buildings on Pall Mall.
You can grab at bite to eat at the museum’s Emperor’s Dragon Museum, or just walk across to Chancery Lane, where there’s a fun mix of cafes and restaurants.
