Things to do in Bendigo

When I chat with the people from Bendigo’s tourism office, they keep telling me they want to be known for more than their art gallery.

I get it. The Bendigo Art Gallery is considered to be one of the best regional art galleries in Australia, hosting huge exhibitions like Elvis in 2022 and Frida Kahlo in 2025. It’s the reason so many people visit the city, often as just a day trip from Melbourne.

But they’re also a bit frustrated because they know better than anyone how many more things to do in Bendigo there are beyond the art gallery. (And, besides, it’s temporarily closed from November 2025 to early 2028 for a major renovation).

You don’t need to spend long here to realise the main streets glitter with gold. Incredible facades of historic buildings are a constant reminder that Bendigo, at the height of the region’s gold rush, was one of the richest cities in the world.

There’s still a lot of that mining heritage to explore – literally at the Central Deborah Gold Mine, but also in the diverse community that remains from the influx of gold-seekers from around the world.

The iconic trams that ding their bells down the main street are one of the best attractions in Bendigo and there are a few fun ways to discover more about them.

But you can also go a bit deeper to learn about the Indigenous culture of the region… or why the largest Buddhist stupa outside Asia is here.

I always love travelling through regional Victoria because of the excellent food and wine, and Bendigo is no exception. In fact, it has been named as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. You can eat and drink and then work it off the next day on a cycling or hiking trail.

If you’re only here for a short time, I think these are the top things to do in Bendigo to get a great sense of the city:

• Bendigo Art Gallery: One of the best regional galleries in Australia. Although it’s currently closed for renovation, check if it’s holding any events around town.
• Central Deborah Gold Mine: Go deep underground to learn about why gold was so different here than other parts of Victoria.
• Bendigo’s trams: An iconic part of Bendigo’s heritage, you can go for a ride through town or, for real rail buffs, visit the depot.
• Golden Dragon Museum: As well as housing the longest imperial processional dragon in the world, this is a fascinating look at Bendigo’s multiculturalism.

Even though those are my top Bendigo suggestions, there is plenty more that is also really worthwhile.

Hopefully you can spend a bit of time here, so to help with your planning, I’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Bendigo.

Cultural experiences

The story of Bendigo is thousands of years old and there’s such a rich mix of cultures that have (and still do) call it home.

Central Deborah Gold Mine

One of the main defining parts of Bendigo’s history is the Gold Rush, and if you want to know what it was really like for the people who came here to strike it rich, then you need to go underground at the Central Deborah Gold Mine.

This isn’t just a museum with some displays – it’s a real mine that operated until 1954. You’ll descend 61 metres below the surface to explore the tunnels where miners once worked in cramped, dangerous conditions.

The experience begins with a hard hat and miner’s lamp (naturally), and then you’ll board a cage that takes you down to the lower levels. In the dark cool tunnels, a guide will tell you more about Bendigo’s golden history.

Above ground, you can explore the heritage buildings that supported the mine’s operations – like the Engine Room with its massive machinery, the Blacksmith’s Shop, and the Carbide Lamp Room where miners prepared their lights.

Gold hunting

And if just hearing about gold mining isn’t enough, you can even go out searching it for yourself! Keen local prospectors Shane and Jackie run Gold Nugget Hunters, which takes people out into the countryside around Bendigo to learn the techniques for finding gold.

They’ll teach you how to use a metal detector, how to read the landscape, and where to look for those elusive nuggets.

This is quite a small tour and certainly not one of the standard things to do in Bendigo, so the whole experience will be tailored to your interests and experience.

Dumawul Tours

To understand the deeper history of this land – the story that goes back thousands of years before the gold rush – join a Dumawul Tour led by some of Bendigo’s Indigenous people, the Dja Dja Wurrung.

These walking tours take you through the city and its surrounds, sharing stories about the landscape, the plants, and the Indigenous culture that thrived here long before European settlement.

As well as hearing personal stories from the guides about modern life, you’ll learn about how the Dja Dja Wurrung people traditionally lived, what they ate, how they used the plants around them, and how the arrival of settlers impacted their way of life.

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

Here’s something you probably wouldn’t expect to find in regional Victoria: a 50-metre-high Buddhist monument that’s the largest of its kind in the Western world.

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, located in the hills just outside Bendigo, is modelled on the 600-year-old Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet. It’s an active place of worship and houses holy relics, but visitors are welcome to explore and learn about Buddhist culture and philosophy.

The interior is still being completed, but what’s there is breathtaking – intricate paintings, detailed sculptures, and an atmosphere of calm that’s a stark contrast to the bustle of the city. There’s even an enormous Buddha carved from jade (said to be the largest in the world).

Even if you’re not particularly religious or interested in Buddhism, the artistry and scale of the project is impressive and worth a visit.

Heritage

You don’t have to try hard to experience some of Bendigo’s heritage – the buildings on the main streets all speak to the wealth and ambition of the gold rush era.

But there are some particular things that I think are worth focusing on when you’re visiting Bendigo.

Bendigo tram ride

One of the most charming ways to see Bendigo is aboard a vintage tram – and I do mean vintage. These beautifully restored streetcars, some dating back more than a century, still run along the city’s old tramlines as part of a heritage service.

The main attraction is the Vintage Talking Tram, a hop-on hop-off service that takes you on a circuit past many of Bendigo’s key sights. The audio commentary tells you about what you’re seeing, including the Alexandra Fountain, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Lake Weeroona.

Throughout the year, you’ll find different themed trams running – like the Yarn Bomb Tram covered with colourful crochet, or the Santa Tram during the festive season. There’s also the Blues Tram, an evening experience where you’ll ride through the city while listening to live music.

One end of the tramline is the Central Deborah Gold Mine and at the other is the Bendigo Joss House Temple. Right in the middle is the Tram Depot and Workshop.

Tram Depot

For some visitors, just riding the tram may be enough. But if you want to experience more, I think the Heritage Rail Workshop at the Tram Depot is a real highlight of Bendigo.

The depot is Australia’s oldest continuously-operating tram facility and it’s still a working maintenance centre where the vintage trams are looked after.

You can visit the workshop on the Depot Discovery Tour and get amongst a large collection of carriages from different eras and location. You may even meet some craftspeople using traditional techniques to restore and maintain these historic vehicles.

It’s a living museum that’s partly about the technical side of the trams and partly about their place in the history of Victoria (and beyond).

While you’re here, grab a coffee or a bite to eat at the Tram Cafe, where you’ll be served from a 1916 N-Class tram.

Historic buildings

The city centre is packed with stunning heritage buildings, each with their own story. Just go for a walk along Pall Mall or View St and you’ll see a lot of time – but there are a few I particularly want to mention.

On Pall Mall, you’ll find the old Post Office building (now the visitor centre) and the Law Courts, both built in the 1880s and 1890s with that confidence and grandeur that gold rush wealth afforded.

A block away is the Bendigo Town Hall, with its Corinthian columns and grand facade. You can take a guided tour to see inside, including climbing up to the clock tower for views across the city.

Along View Street are lots of old banks and commercial buildings with ornate facades. And keep walking from there and you’ll reach Sacred Heart Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the Southern Hemisphere, with magnificent spires and stained glass windows.

City tour

If you want to get a good overview of Bendigo’s heritage all in one go, I’d recommend taking a walking tour of the city centre. While you can get around alone, you’ll get more from a guide who can share stories and answer questions.

The best (and, to be honest, the main) option is this great city walking tour, which takes about two hours and covers all the main sights in the centre of Bendigo.

You’ll hear about life during the gold rush, the colonial justice at the gaol and court, and the Chinese community. You’ll even visit a famous hotel (for tea and coffee) to hear about its infamous guests.

Langley Estate

Speaking of having a cuppa, for something a bit more refined, the Langley Estate offers an elegant afternoon of high tea and heritage in a stunning Federation-era mansion.

Built in 1904, Langley Hall is a grand estate with a fascinating history. It was a residence, a Red Cross convalescent home for WWI soldiers, and later as St Luke’s Toddlers’ Home where more than 1,500 children were cared for between 1932 and 1978.

The experience begins with a performance on the magnificent 1875 pipe organ, followed by a traditional high tea with food and drinks. Afterwards, there’s a tour through the mansion and gardens.

The event is held regularly throughout the year so check the dates here and be sure to make a booking in advance.

Bendigo Joss House Temple

The hunt for gold around Bendigo in the 19th century attracted people from across the world, but particularly from China. Throughout the city, there are still numerous sites related to this community.

One of them is Bendigo Joss House Temple, still active as a place of worship since 1871. It was one of seven Chinese temples built in the area to serve the goldfields, and one of only a handful to survive.

Built with local handmade bricks and painted red (symbolising strength and vitality), the interior has beautiful traditional decorations, incense burners, and offerings.

It’s not large so it doesn’t take long to visit, but it offers an authentic glimpse inside this part of Bendigo’s history. It’s at one end of the tram line, which makes it really easy to reach.

Museums

Parts of Bendigo can feel like a living museum, with trams going past the heritage buildings. But there are a few actual museums that I want to mention, which focus on different parts of the city.

Golden Dragon Museum

Even more so than the Bendigo Joss House Temple I just mentioned, the Golden Dragon Museum probably the best place in the city to learn about the heritage of Bendigo’s Chinese community.

The highlight of the museum are the enormous processional dragons that are used in parades through the streets of Bendigo (the main even these days is the annual Easter festival).

The biggest of these dragons is Dai Gum Loong. Decorated with more than 7000 handmade scales and stretching for about 125 metres, it’s considered to be the world’s longest imperial processional dragon.

The museum is also full of artefacts and information panels about life on the goldfields for the Chinese people and how the community has evolved over the decades and continues to be and important part of the city’s culture.

Bendigo Military Museum

Housed in the former Soldiers Memorial Institute, this museum has an extensive collection of military memorabilia from the Bendigo region, covering various conflicts from the Boer War through to more recent peacekeeping operations.

The displays include uniforms, weapons, photographs, letters, medals, and personal effects donated by local families.

What makes the Bendigo Military Museum interesting is the local angle – these aren’t just generic military exhibits, they’re about the specific people from this area who served.

The museum is run largely by volunteers, many of whom have military backgrounds themselves, and they’re passionate about preserving these stories. If you’re interested in military history, you’ll appreciate the detail and the personal narratives.

Discovery Science & Technology Centre

If you’re travelling with kids (or you’re a bit of a child at heart), the Discovery Science & Technology Centre can be a lot of fun.

It’s a hands-on science museum with hundreds of exhibits covering everything from physics and chemistry to biology and technology.

You can do experiments, play with gadgets, watch demonstrations, and generally learn about how the world works in an engaging way. There’s also a planetarium with shows throughout the day.

It’s educational without feeling like a school excursion, and the exhibits are well-maintained and engaging. I would suggest it’s mainly for families, but there’ll probably be something of interest for everyone.

Sandhurst Gaol

For a slightly darker side of Bendigo’s history, head inside Sandhurst Gaol (FYI, Sandhurst was Bendigo’s original name). This historic prison operated from the gold rush era and tells some pretty gripping stories about crime and punishment in colonial Victoria.

There are tours, but they only run once a week, so check out the details to see if it coincides with your visit. But the gaol is also now part of the Ulumbarra Theatre, so you can see it if you catch a show.

The gaol has been preserved with many of its original features intact, and you can wander through the cell blocks, see where prisoners lived, and learn about some of the infamous characters who were locked up here.

The stories range from petty thieves to more serious criminals, all caught up in the rough-and-tumble world of the goldfields. It’s fascinating stuff, and the building itself – with its imposing bluestone walls – is quite a sight.

Art scene

Bendigo’s reputation as a cultural hub goes well beyond its famous art gallery. There’s a thriving contemporary arts community here, with multiple galleries, street art, and creative spaces.

Bendigo Art Gallery

If there’s one institution that’s put Bendigo on the cultural map, it’s the Bendigo Art Gallery. And I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best regional galleries in Australia.

Established in 1887, the gallery has a permanent collection of more than 2,600 works, with a particular focus on Australian art. But what really sets it apart are the blockbuster touring exhibitions that come through here.

The main building has several exhibition spaces, allowing the gallery to show both its permanent collection and multiple temporary exhibitions at once. You’ll find Australian impressionists alongside contemporary Indigenous art, European masterworks next to experimental modern pieces.

Best of all, entry to the permanent collection is free, which is fantastic, although you’ll need to buy tickets for the special exhibitions.

Other galleries

Have they been inspired by the Bendigo Art Gallery or is this just naturally a creative city? I’m not sure, but you’ll definitely find lots of other artists and galleries in town.

Very close to the main art gallery is Dudley House, a heritage building that is now used as a community gallery space to put on exhibitions of local artists.

Also nearby, there’s the La Trobe Arts Institute, which is part of La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus. Because it’s showing student work, it often has an interesting conceptual edge and is an interesting place to see some emerging artists.

In the historic Old Post Office on Pall Mall, you’ll find Living Arts Space. It hosts curated exhibitions, talks, and demonstrations by creatives from across the state, so there’s always something new to see here.

And on the other side of the building is Djaa Djuwima, a gallery dedicated to First Nations art. There are three curated exhibitions each year that celebrate identity, heritage, and storytelling.

Street art

Like many Australian cities, Bendigo has embraced street art, and there are now dozens of murals throughout the centre of town. Considering how many heritage buildings there are, it’s such an interesting contrast to see the colourful modern pieces.

The best concentration of street art is around Chancery Lane, a laneway that’s become the de facto creative hub of the city. Multiple large-scale murals cover the walls here, created by both local and visiting artists.

To go for a walk on a self-guided street art tour of Bendigo, head from Chancery Lane to Minna Leunig’s mural, then to Dimples Lane, over to Djaara Lights, followed by the Bath Lane Precinct, and then up to View Street.

Of course, the street art changes over time as new works replace old ones, which means there’s always something new to discover.

Bendigo Pottery

Operating since 1858, Bendigo Pottery is Australia’s oldest working pottery and it’s evolved into a fascinating tourist attraction while still functioning as an actual pottery business.

You can watch potters at work, creating pieces using traditional techniques and some of the original equipment. Plus the interpretive museum on site tells the story of the pottery and its importance to Bendigo’s industrial heritage.

If you’re keen to give it a go yourself, there are hands-on workshops where you can try wheel throwing or decorating ceramics yourself. It’s harder than it looks but incredibly satisfying when you get it right.

There’s also a shop selling homewares and then a whole village of artisans around it, which makes the seven-kilometre trip out there from central Bendigo even more worthwhile.

Fresh air

Bendigo is almost completely surrounded by national and regional parks that create a greenbelt that’s easily accessible. While it may not be the first thing you think of when you’re planning a trip here, getting out into nature is actually one of the best things to do in Bendigo.

Parks

The parks within the city limits are a good place to start, offering a mix of sightseeing and relaxing.

Right in the city centre, Rosalind Park is the oldest and most central. It has a lookout tower (climb it for views across Bendigo), a fernery, a conservatory, and lots of mature trees providing shade.

On the edge of the city centre, Lake Weeroona is a beautiful spot for a stroll around the water. There’s a walking path that circles the lake, and you’ll often see water birds and sometimes even the local black swans.

Even more special, the Bendigo Botanic Gardens date back to 1857 and feature themed gardens including flowers, lawns, trust-listed tree, and plant collections from the Victorian era.

Cycling and hiking trails

If you’re feeling a bit active, perhaps going for a walk or a bike ride along one the region’s trails will be the best way to experience Bendigo’s nature.

Within the city, there are shorter trails like the Bendigo Creek Trail, the Spring Gully Trail, or the Parks to Pottery Path that take you through greenery to some of the top sights in Bendigo.

For something longer, the O’Keefe Rail Trail is the most famous – a 50-kilometre route that follows the old railway line from Bendigo to Heathcote. The surface is mostly level and it’s suitable for walking and cycling, passing along waterways, through native forests… and to a few country pubs!

Alternatively, the Bendigo Bushland Trail is a 65-kilometre loop that circles the city, passing through various parks and reserves, and is a great way to explore the box-ironbark forests and see the local flora and fauna.

For the really adventurous, Bendigo is the starting point (or finishing point) of the Goldfields Track, a superb 210-kilometre trail that goes to Ballarat along the top of the Great Dividing Range, combining gold rush heritage with natural beauty.

Greater Bendigo National Park

The Greater Bendigo National Park is quite interesting because it’s actually made up of lots of little bits of connected protected wilderness to the north and south of the city.

It’s about 17,000 hectares in size (about the same total area as the Royal National Park in NSW) and so has lots of things to do within it.

There are walking trails throughout the park, including the easy three-kilometre Lookout Loop or 5.3-kilometre Old Tom Mine trail to historical goldmines.

The highlight of the national park for many visitors is the One Tree Hill Lookout, which you can drive to and offers panoramic views across Bendigo.

The park is jointly managed by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation to help protect tangible objects like scarred trees as well as intangible stories.

Kayaking

Because Bendigo doesn’t have a river, you might not think of it as a destination for kayaking or canoeing. But there are so many great waterways in the region, that it’s actually quite popular.

Two of the best spots close to the city are Crusoe Reservoir and Lake Eppalock. If you don’t have your own vessel, you can hire one with Bendigo Watersports, who are often base at those locations.

But just a little further away, there are fantastic spots to kayak or canoe in the Lodden Valley. There are three main routes that I’d suggest – the Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail, the Laanecoorie Canoe Trail, or the Loddon River Canoe Trail.

You can hire canoes from the Boort Lakes Holiday Park or from Normy’s Kayak Hire, which delivers around the Boort region.

Food and drink

In 2019, Bendigo was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019 (the first place in Australia to get this recognition).

There were various reasons for the designation, such as the rich food heritage (including First Nations and gold rush influences) and the commitment to sustainable practices and local produce.

With some great places to drink and eat in Bendigo, you’ll be sure to discover some of these elements for yourself while you’re here.

Cafes

Bendigo’s cafe scene is impressive for a regional city, with several spots that would hold their own in Melbourne. For breakfast or brunch, here are my top picks:

• Get Naked Espresso Bar: One of the early pioneers of good coffee in Bendigo, this spot is all about the perfect cup and only has limited food options.
• Brewhouse Cafe and Coffee Roasters: For good coffee, why not go straight to where it’s being roasted! It helps the food here is also excellent.
• Percy and Percy: Previously a corner store and a milk bar, this gorgeous spot on a residential block is perfect for a leisurely meal.
• Bayleaf Foodstore: Excellent breakfast and lunch options, all with a fresh Greek influence.

And that’s just a few suggestions! There are heaps of other great cafes in Bendigo, so there’s no excuse not to be well caffeinated!

Restaurants

When it comes to dinner, Bendigo has options across all price ranges and styles. But you didn’t come here for a kebab, did you? So here are some of the nicer options:

• The Dispensary: In the buzzing Chancery Lane (where you’ll find lots of other good options), the restaurant’s menu of sharing dishes covers cuisines from almost every continent
• Ms Batterhams: With lots of southern European sharing plates, it’s fun and casual even though it’s got a sophisticated design.
• Alium Dining: As well as the lovely setting in a heritage buildings with large windows, you’ll find innovative dishes and an excellent regional wine list.
• Terrae: A fine-dining venue with a European-inspired menu of seasonal local produce, set in an original bank building.

You’ll also find some great pan-Asian, Chinese, and Indian restaurants in the city centre, all of which make the most of the local ingredients.

Bars and pubs

Bendigo has a good mix of historic hotels and modern bars. Many of the old corner pubs have been beautifully restored, while heritage buildings have been given a new lease of life as bars.

• Rifle Brigade Hotel: For an old-fashioned pub that just does cold drinks and good food, this is your best option, in a historic building that also has a courtyard.
• Gold Mines Hotel: This property is heritage-listed with the National Trust, so stopping for a drink counts as sightseeing. The fireplaces are great in winter and there’s also a hearty food menu.
• The Social: Offering a bit of everything – beers, cocktails, food – this is an easy spot for a group catch-up right in the heart of the city.
• Wine Bank on View: The high ceilings and ornate decor of the building sets the scene for the excellent (and extensive) collection of wines you can try

I can personally attest that I have spent far too long at Wine Bank, enjoying some of those local reds!

Food and wine tours

Given Bendigo’s status as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, it makes sense that one of the best ways to explore the food scene is with a dedicated food tour.

My top recommendation would be to see what food tour is being offered here, because it changes every season to include the most relevant produce and venues for the weather.

You might start with a beetroot and balsamic onion tartlet paired with local wine, move on to tapas with wine tasting, then craft beer with wood-fired pizza, and finish with slow-cooked lamb and a gin tasting.

The Bendigo wine region is also known for producing some excellent wines, particularly shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. The region’s red soils and climate create distinctive, full-bodied reds that wine-lovers seek out.

A few good options are St Anne’s Winery, which does pizzas on the weekend; and Silver Spoon Estate, where you’ll get personal attention for the wine tasting.

There’s also Ellis Wines, that’s set up a cellar door right in the centre of town, just a minute from the train station.