Things to do in Bendigo And Where to Stay and Eat

Sydney Adelaide Day 2 — *Climb the Poppet Head lookout tower to enjoy this exhilarating view of Bendigo*

Visiting Bendigo with kids is terrific, there are so many fun things to do in Bendigo plus great places to stay and to eat. Read on!

Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria with lots of heritage attractions. Located close to the geographical centre of Victoria, it is easy to visit from Melbourne or to incorporate into a road trip.

For us, when we go to Adelaide by car, stopping in Bendigo is a no-brainer choice. For this reason, Bendigo is the second recommended stop of our Sydney to Adelaide road trip guide.

Don’t have enough days? Then the Sydney to Bendigo/Bendigo to Sydney drive is also a good trip to discover the outback with a fantastic final destination.

If you are from Melbourne, catching the train is also a good option. Bendigo is just 90-120 minutes from Southern Cross Station.

And, if you are planning to visit Bendigo from Adelaide, the Bendigo to Adelaide road trip distance is possible to do it in one day. However, you will need an early start in the morning to cover a distance of 615 km.

In this article, you will find a list of the best things to do in Bendigo with kids as well as some practical information for your stay.

NB You’ll find info on the best deals at Bendigo hotels at the bottom of this post.

By Mireia Garriga Seguranyes

Table of Contents

Bendigo: The Big Picture

Bendigo CBD is not big, so it is very easy to explore. Grab a pair of comfy shoes and walk through the streets.

Tram Map Bendigo — *If you have little kids, I highly recommend taking the old tram. It is a convenient way to get around the city centre*

We love Bendigo because of its beautiful historic buildings, its old vintage tram and its cosmopolitan feel. Also, Bendigo playgrounds are terrific!

Bendigo has a rich history thanks to the gold rush boom. It is home to Central Deborah Gold Mine, which dates back the mid-1900s.

Also, the city has a remarking Chinese heritage, which can be discovered in The Golden Dragon Museum.

Besides all the tourist attractions, there are three great playgrounds in the CBD: Camp Hill Playground, in Rosalind Park and Fun Loong Payground, in Hargreaves St Mall. A bit further, there is the Lake Weeroona Adventure Playground, in Napier St, too. The old vintage tram stops by the lake. My daughters loved the ride!!!

Checking out the local information centre is always a good start. Bendigo Visitor Centre is situated in the historic Post Office, a beautiful example of Renaissance Revival style architecture. Bendigo Visitor Centre is an award-winning tourist information centre, which is also home to the Living Arts Space and the Post Office Gallery.

Address: 51 – 67 Pall Mall, Bendigo VIC 3550: 1800 813 153 Phone: 03 5434 6060

Hours: Open everyday 9am – 5pm, except Christmas Day.

Alternatively, the official tourist website for Bendigo is a very good resource, too.

Sydney Adelaide Day 2 6 — *The Poppet Head lookout tower has become the symbol of Bendigo. Also, check the beautiful Bendigo Heritage Mosaic next to its base.*

What to do in Bendigo with kids

Central Deborah Gold Mine

76 Violet Street, Bendigo VIC 3550

In the 19th century, Bendigo was the Australia’s highest producing gold town, and nowadays the area still produces a significant amount of gold. Central Deborah was one of the last two commercial mines to cease operation in the wealthy Bendigo goldfields.

Bendigo things to do 4 — *This vibrant Australian town has an amazing history. Since 1851, Bendigo gold mines have produced more than 700 tones of gold*

Today Central Deborah Mines is a must-visit tourist attraction to understand Bendigo’s history and the significant role gold mining played in developing such a prosperous city. That’s why Bendigo has some of the country’s most impressive architecture, sculptures, fountains and gardens.

Central Deborah Gold Mine is the home of Australia’s deepest underground mine tour and also showcases old mining equipment and lots of informative panels. The precinct allows you to discover some of the original buildings and structures.

We did the “Mine Experience Tour” which runs for 75 minutes and goes down to level 2, 61 metres underground. There are longer and deeper tours, but this was the right one for us as our kids are still little and it was my first mining experience (not for hubby). If you are not claustrophobic and you have adventurous kids, I highly recommend it. Our tourist guide was very entertaining and explained lots of technical information, the types of different machinery and geology concepts in plain English. Therefore, our kids stayed engaged (and I believe that they learnt something, too).

After the tour, you might feel a bit hungry. Don’t forget to try the miner’s pasties. They are yummy.

Note: there is an age limit, your kids must be 3 years and over to go underground.

Tip: wear enclosed shoes and warm clothes, as it is muddy and cold, especially in winter.

Bendigo things to do 3 — *If going underground is not your cup of tea, you can still explore the surface and the museum, and you might be lucky to find some gold*

The Vintage Talking Tram

The Vintage Talking Tram Tour starts at Central Deborah Gold Mine but you can hop on a tram at any of the six tram stops (Central Deborah Mine, Alexandra Fountain, Bendigo Tramways Depot, Lake Weeroona, Tyson’s Reef and Bendigo Joss House Temple).

If you are from Melbourne or Adelaide, catching a tram might not be so exciting. However, this one in Bendigo captures the essence of Bendigo’s past. You can hop on and off the tram to explore the city. Each tour includes a 10-minute stop at the Tram Depot, the oldest operating in Australia and home to Bendigo’s heritage tram fleet.

Tickets can be purchased onboard the trams, from the Gift Shop at the Tram Depot, at Central Deborah Gold Mine, the Bendigo Visitor Centre or online.

Tip: before planning your trip, check the timetable on its website, as sometimes it changes. Also, you can save some money buying one of the packages, when you visit Central Deborah Gold Mine and / or the Bendigo Joss House Temple. The tram takes you to the door of Central Deborah Gold Mine (Tram Stop No. 1) and the Bendigo Joss House Temple (Tram Stop No. 6).

Rosalind Park and Camp Hill Primary School Playground

Corner of View Street and Pall Mall in the centre of Bendigo

Located in the centre of town, Rosalind Park spreads over 60 acres of grassy open spaces with lush and leafy trees, beautiful cascades, ornate statues, elegant avenues, a fernery and established gardens.

The highlight of the park is the Poppet Head lookout offering stunning panoramic views of the city.

Also, the park has a fabulous fenced playground but it is only open outside school hours. The playground consists of a big climbing net and a separate structure that has several ramps, walkways and slides.

Note: Rosalind Park has public toilets, which is good to know when you are out and about exploring a new place.

Bendigo Art Gallery

42 View St, Bendigo VIC 3550

Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia. Despite being regional, it attracts audiences from around Australia to see the world class modern exhibitions, public programs and events.

The Bendigo Art Gallery offers self-tours for families and organises school holiday workshops for kids.

Discovery Science and Technology Centre

7 Railway Pl, Bendigo VIC 3550

Located in the restored Railway Goods Building, the Discovery Science and Technology Centre provides a fun and educational science experience. With over 100 interactive exhibits, which are 100% hands-on and based on science-related learning areas, kids cannot get bored. And, it has the tallest vertical slide of the Southern Hemisphere.

Other attractions are the Planetarium, the Kaleidoscope for young scientists, the whacky mirrors, the echoing chamber and the ‘play a tune phone’. Also, each school holidays the Discovery Centre puts together a brand new program around different topics.

Tip: plan enough time to spend in the centre, as there are lots to see.

Lake Weeroona and Adventure Playspace

Napier Street, Bendigo VIC 3550

On the banks of picturesque Lake Weeroona, the Lake Weeroona Adventure Playscape is a terrific playground. The park has all sort of facilities, from picnic spaces to a kid-friendly cafe. No wonder is very popular with the locals.

Bendigo things to do 2 — *If you packed the bikes or the scooters with you, there is bike/walking track around the Weeroona lake that is very easy to do, as it is mostly flat*

The adventure play space consists of a central big timber fort structure. It is a bit aged but still it is in a fair condition. There is heaps of equipment: walkways, bridges, tunnels, steps, ladders, climbing walls, monkey bars, etc. So, it is perfect for letting your kids run wild after a long drive. Also, the playground has several swings.

Nearby the playground, there are picnic shelters with tables, toilet block and a coffee truck.

Also, don’t miss Favourite Flavours, home of Bendigo’s finest handmade gelato. What a treat! And, for a meal or coffee with a view, enjoy the food at the Boardwalk, which offers kids menu, too.

Note: Lake Weeroona is the 5th stop of the old vintage tram.

Fun Loong Playground at Hargreaves St Mall

Are your kids tired of sightseeing? Give them a break at the Fun Loong play space which is conveniently located in the pedestrian-only Hargreaves Mall right in the CBD. The playground takes its name from the iconic Bendigo dragon Sun Loong. The equipment is very colourful and innovative.

Sydney Adelaide Day 2 5 — *Our daughters had lots of fun. This is probably the best playground in Bendigo, but also one of the coolest ones that we have ever seen, even though it is not very big*

The Golden Dragon Museum

1-11 Bridge St, Bendigo VIC 3550

If you are interested in learning about Chinese history and culture in Bendigo from the gold rush of the 1850’s to the present day, the Golden Dragon Museum is one of the most important Chinese Cultural Centres in Australia.

The museum displays processional regalia, carved furniture and costumes embroidered with gold bullion thread. Artefacts date as far back as the Shang Dynasty 1600 – 1026BC. Besides the task of preserving Chinese heritage, the Museum is also famous because of the traditional dragon Sun Loong, which is the world’s longest dragon. It measures 200 metres and it takes 54 people to carry him at every Easter parade when he comes out.

Note: the entry includes the beautiful Chinese Gardens and the Kuan Yin Temple, which contains numerous colourful murals.

Other attractions outside central Bendigo

Bendigo Pottery, Australia’s oldest working pottery.

Bendigo Botanic Gardens Play Space with its award-winning playground, inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, situated near Bendigo, it is the same size and design as The Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet.

PepperGreen Farm, a non profit social enterprise farm where food and heritage collide.

Victorian Goldfields Railway, an authentic steam heritage train that links the historic gold mining towns of Castlemaine and Maldon.

Bendigo: Places to eat

Sydney Adelaide Day 2 1 — *My breakfast at the Spring Gully General Store. This homemade sourdough bread toast with strawberry jam was delicious. Sometimes, simple food is the best…*

There are so many good places to eat in Bendigo. In fact, you would need several days just to explore Bendigo historic pubs. Most of them have a good reputation because they serve out-of-the-ordinary food. In general, expect to eat better than any other place in Australia. The Bendigo Official Guide is a fantastic resource to find places to eat in Bendigo. Every restaurant has a description including very handy icons for special dietary requirements, wheel-chair-users or kid-friendly eateries.

We like La Cecil’s Pizzeria, Cantina Bendigo, The Golden Vine and The Arms Hotel.

In South Bendigo, the Spring Gully General Store is a good choice for breakfast, with its nice outdoor patio, kids menu and colouring pencils provided. The Spring Gully General Store has its own veggie garden, so the menu is full of dishes with home-produced, organic ingredients.

NB Beth, a reader of Hello Sydney Kids, wrote: ‘Wine Bank (on View St) is worth a visit – a beautiful building (used to be an old bank, obvs!) that has some outdoor tables so it’s acceptable to try a local wine with kids in tow. Find the Wine Bank website here.

Bendigo things to do — *Recently restored, the beautiful Alexandra Fountain is one of the most important monuments in Bendigo*

How to Pick The Best Things to Do with Kids in Bendigo, Victoria?

Bendigo, Victoria is a beautiful and vibrant city that offers a plethora of fun activities and attractions for families with children. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to decide what to do with your kids in Bendigo. That is why, we provide some tips on how to pick the best things to do with kids in Bendigo, Victoria.

1. Consider your children’s interests

When selecting activities for your kids, it’s essential to consider their interests. Bendigo offers a wide range of activities, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, so there’s something for everyone. If your children are nature lovers, consider a visit to the Bendigo Botanic Gardens or a hike in the nearby forests.

If they are history buffs, take them on a tour of the Bendigo Joss House Temple or the Central Deborah Gold Mine. By considering your children’s interests, you can ensure that they will have an enjoyable and engaging experience.

2. Look for family-friendly attractions

Bendigo has many family-friendly attractions that are perfect for kids of all ages. One of the best places to start is the Discovery Science and Technology Centre, where kids can explore hands-on exhibits and learn about science in a fun and engaging way.

Another popular attraction is the Bendigo Tramways, where families can take a ride on the vintage trams and learn about the city’s history. Look for other family-friendly attractions such as amusement parks, animal sanctuaries, and playgrounds to ensure that everyone in the family has a great time.

3. Check for seasonal events and festivals

Bendigo hosts many seasonal events and festivals throughout the year that offer great entertainment for families. Check the city’s events calendar to see what’s happening during your visit. The Bendigo Easter Festival is a popular event that includes a street parade, fireworks, and live entertainment.

The Bendigo Agricultural Show, held in October, is another popular event that includes carnival rides, animal shows, and agricultural displays. By checking for seasonal events and festivals, you can make the most of your visit to Bendigo and give your kids a memorable experience.

4. Consider the age of your children

The age of your children is an important factor to consider when selecting activities in Bendigo. Younger children may enjoy activities such as visiting playgrounds and animal sanctuaries, while older children may prefer more adventurous activities such as rock climbing or go-karting.

Consider the age of your children and their ability level when selecting activities to ensure that everyone can participate and have fun.

5. Check for accessibility and safety

When choosing activities in Bendigo, it’s essential to consider accessibility and safety. Look for activities that are wheelchair accessible and have amenities such as changing facilities and accessible toilets.

Ensure that the activities you choose are safe for children of all ages and that they have appropriate safety measures in place. Check for age restrictions, height restrictions, and other safety guidelines before booking any activities.

6. Ask for recommendations from locals and online resources

When planning a trip to Bendigo with kids, it’s always a good idea to ask for recommendations from locals and online resources. Local tourism offices can provide valuable information on family-friendly activities and events in the area, and online resources such as travel blogs and forums can offer insights and recommendations from other families who have visited Bendigo with kids.

By seeking recommendations from reliable sources, you can discover hidden gems and unique experiences that you may have otherwise overlooked.

With a little planning and research, you can create a fun and memorable experience for your family that will leave you with happy memories for years to come.

Bendigo Family Accommodation

There are plenty of accommodation options available in Bendigo. Our favourite place is Barclay on the View because of its central location. View Street with its impressive buildings takes you back in time.

Barclay on the View

181 View St, Bendigo, VIC 3550

Phone: 03 5443 9388

Located in the heart of Bendigo, Barclay On The View’s location is perfect for families who are planing to explore the city on foot. It is not the average motel, it has an indoor spa, a sauna and fitness equipment. The rooms have been recently renovated. We stayed in the triple room, it is not very spacious but it is ok if you have a young family.

Check availability and prices on Booking.com here.

Bendigo things to do 5 — *Family room of the Best Western Cathedral Motor Inn. Miss 5 year old was so tired after the mining tour at Central Deborah Gold Mine that she nearly fell straight asleep*

Best Western Cathedral Motor Inn

96-102 High St, Bendigo VIC 3550

Phone: 03 5442 5333

Best Western Cathedral Motor Inn is located very close to the Cathedral. If you look at the map, it is between the Central Deborah Gold Mine and the city centre. The family room is large and the beds are very comfortable. As it is not right in the city, the rates were cheaper than other places. Very close to it is the famous Beechworth Bakery (158 High St, Bendigo VIC 3550) which offers kids meal deals all day, including an activity book. Open from 6:30 am to 6:00pm is a good place to eat without breaking the bank.

Check prices and availability on Booking.com here.

City Centre Motel Bendigo

26 Forest St Bendigo VIC 3550

Phone: 03 5443 2077

This motel is on our list, but we have never stayed in it yet because rooms were not available for the dates needed, or full payment in advance was requested. It is fantastically located in the city centre. It should be perfect for families like us that have more than two children as it offers units with two and three bedrooms.

Check your dates on Booking.com here.