Bendigo – Things To Do

The location that once drew hoards of gold diggers in the Victorian era continues to attract visitors. Alas, there’s no gold left to nab and fashion into a fancy new gangster chain as a memento; instead expect to be bombarded with an intense hit of rich heritage and bustling bars that make this regional city a must-see spot in the Goldfields region.

What really put Bendigo on the map was the 19th century gold boom. As soon as gold was found, the migrants came flocking to plunder all they could, making it the richest city in the world in the 1880’s. And to top it off, they named the town after world-famous English bare-knuckle boxer, William Abednego Thompson. The ultimate Australian Victorian hotspot, some may say.

Bendigo’s golden-soaked past has been preserved fantastically and can be experienced first-hand by checking out the Central Deborah Goldmine (www.central-deborah.com). As one of the best underground mine tours in Australia, you can literally walk in the footsteps of past miners by descending 61 metres underground and follow the dark complex tunnel systems. Just don’t lose your miner’s lamp.

Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest (and largest) regional galleries with a huge collection of paintings and decorative art. Continue over to the Golden Dragon Museum which celebrates the surprisingly long history of Chinese migrants who arrived to mine Bendigo back in the day.

Wander the streets and take in the impressive ornate Victorian architecture that parade the old wealth, such as The Shamrock Hotel, which has made it onto the Victorian Heritage Register. Once your legs tire, jump on the vintage Talking Tram to roll the streets in style or even tuck into a meal aboard the Bendigo Ninesevensix; the decadent restaurant on wheels, visit www.bendigoninesevensix.com.au for find out more.

Sure, modern day Bendigo hasn’t got the gold to coax the tourists in, but they continue to flock for the wealth of treasures available for their palates. The food and coffee scene is exploding as Bendigo reinvents itself as a foodie haven. Kitsch ‘Old Green Bean Cafe’ exudes the famous Melbourne cafe culture as it is uniquely decorated and won’t fail you in good coffee (it also sells vintage clothes). Or fancy something more… fancy? ‘Whirrakee’ delivers fine dining at a top notch standard. So much so that it has become the first hatted Bendigo restaurant for a decade. Food is Bendigo’s new gold, don’t you know darling?

There are a couple of late night drinking holes but don’t arrive expecting a bustling party spot. Live music is favoured in Bendigo with various pubs and bars hosting local acts. The Shamrock Café and Bar (www.hotelshamrock.com.au) provide lazy afternoon drinking, but the Gold Dust Jazz Bar lurks in the basement and is the best venue in town. Live Jazz and Blues go late on the weekends. Classic Aussie pubs are plentiful, like The Goldmines Hotel which has a pub garden lit by lanterns plus BillyRoy’s Blues Bar in the cellar every Friday night. Star Bar is licensed till 5am on the weekends and Huha Club (huhaclub.com)hosts “Top Floor Friday”: Bendigo’s favourite Friday night hang-out. Just be sure to avoid getting into their TFF Fail photos on their Facebook.

There are an abundance of motels and hotels to choose from but go for the hostels if you’re on a budget. Bendigo Backpacker (or Buzza’s Backpackers) has quaint white picket fences and pink walls and it is $30 a night for dorms. The Fleece Inn YHA has rooms for rent by the week at $155 and has a huge back courtyard to chill in.

Bendigo is only 150 kilometres away from Melbourne making it an easy day trip out of the big city. You can make it in a 90 minute car journey or a two hour trip by V/Line trains or coaches. Trains from Southern Cross train station in Melbourne run regularly and will only set you back $46 return.

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