What is Bendigo known for?
Bendigo is a regional city in central Victoria known for its gold rush heritage, grand Victorian architecture and Chinese history. It is about two hours from Melbourne.
Gold was found in the area in 1851, and Bendigo became one of the richest goldfields in the world. Wealth from gold paid for buildings such as the Shamrock Hotel and the Town Hall.
The Central Deborah Gold Mine offers underground tours. The city's talking trams take visitors past historic sites.
Chinese heritage
Thousands of Chinese miners came to Bendigo in the 1850s. The Golden Dragon Museum shares their stories and holds historic processional dragons.
Bendigo Art Gallery is one of Australia's oldest regional galleries. The Sacred Heart Cathedral is among the largest churches in Australia.
Bendigo's Easter Festival, held since 1871, is one of Victoria's longest-running festivals. It includes a parade led by a Chinese dragon. The city has a growing food and wine scene, with nearby wineries producing well-regarded Shiraz. Rosalind Park in the city centre has gardens, a lookout tower and statues. The Bendigo Pottery, founded in 1858, is Australia's oldest working pottery.
Did You Know?
Bendigo was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2019.