Bendigo Day Trip

Bendigo, Victoria
1 day

Welcome to Bendigo, where you can embark on a DIYdly self-guided adventure through gold rush history, stunning architecture, and delightful experiences. Unleash your inner prospector underground, take a leisurely stroll along boulevards lined with grand buildings that will make you feel like royalty, indulge your taste buds with Bendigo's delectable local cuisine, and quench your thirst on a local wine or beer. So hit the road and discover the golden nuggets of fun awaiting you in Bendigo!

  • Style

    Public Transport
    Day Trip
    Traveller

  • Transport

    Train & Walking
    or Self Drive

  • Distance

    Walk 4km

  • Time

    1 full day

  • Difficulty

    Easy
    Walking around an urban area

BENDIGO

Bendigo is located approximately 150 kilometers northwest of Melbourne in Central Victoria on Dja Dja Wurrung land. The city rose to prominence during the gold rush era of the mid-1800s, when fortune-seekers flocked to the region in search of their golden dreams. It quickly transformed into one of the richest and most prosperous goldfields in the world, attracting miners from far and wide. Today, Bendigo continues to thrive as a vibrant regional city, offering a delightful blend of history, art, and cuisine.

WHEN TO GO: This trip can be done any day of the week. If you go on a Sunday you’ll find all attractions open but some restaurants do close. Opening hours are listed in the detail below.

MARKETS: If you are lucky enough to time it right, there are two markets in Bendigo that you might be able to attend:

  • Second Saturday of each month • 9am-12:30pm • Chinese Museum Precinct

  • Every Thursday • 12-4pm (Sep-Apr), 2-4:30pm (May-Aug) • The Good Loaf Bakery • map

EVENTS: Bendigo is a major events centre with something on seemingly every week. To see what is on when you visit check out the Visitor Centre and Venues & Events What’s On pages.

MAP & DIRECTIONS

GETTING TO BENDIGO:

  • The best way to travel from Melbourne is on the train. Vline services run every hour and take approximately 2 hours. This train line branches to become the Echuca and Mildura lines.

  • The trains are very comfortable and only cost $10 for a full day of travel ($7.20 on weekends) making it the easiest and most economical way to travel.

  • A myki card is required to travel on public transport and seats do not need to be reserved.

  • There is daily train from Southern Cross at 9:05am that gets you to Bendigo around 11am (time varies slightly depending on the day of the week). We’ve designed the timing of our itinerary based on this train.

  • Double check the train timetable on the PTV website: Melbourne-Bendigo timetable

  • If you do decide to drive, head straight up the Calder Freeway. Castlemaine is 150km from the centre of Melbourne. Free all day parking is available at the Central Deborah Gold Mine on Creek St North. Navigate to the Mine and you will find it.

WALKING ROUTE: The self-guided walking route is only 4km and easily done by anyone with reasonable fitness. There one short hill to go up in the Art Gallery area.

  • Navigate by Google Maps:

    • Part 1 takes you to Charing Cross to get on the tram to the Mine Tour

    • Part 2 takes you from getting back off the tram to the Gallery, finishing back at the Train Station.

  • If you find the walking too much at any stage, Bendigo Taxis (131 008) or 13Cabs (132 227) are just a phone call away. Uber is also available in town.

Bendigo Post Office 1906

STOP 1

VISITOR CENTRE

IMAGE: Postcard of the Bendigo Post Office & Law Courts 1906. State Library of Victoria Collection.

WALK FROM THE BENDIGO TRAIN STATION:

  • Exit the train to the right and walk down to Mitchell St, veering left to walk northwest, downhill along Mitchell St through the shopping district of Bendigo.

  • At some stage along Mitchell St cross to the right side of the road.

  • Walk all the way down to the major intersection with High St/Pall Mall (750m from the train station). From this intersection you’ll see a great expanse of historic buildings in all directions. In the middle of the intersection is Alexandra Fountain which you’ll visit near the end of the day.

  • Cross Pall Mall and turn right. The garden to your left is home to a statue of Queen Victoria.

  • Walk past the impressive war memorial to the next intersection where you’ll find one of Bendigo’s most beautiful buildings, the Post Office which is now the Visitor Centre. On the opposite corner is one of Victoria’s grandest hotels, The Shamrock. The Shamrock Hotel was built in the French Second Empire Style in 1897. Famous guests include Prince Charles and Princes Dianna, and Dame Nellie Melba who famously had the bells in the Post Office clock tower opposite silenced during her stay - the only time in their history where they have not tolled every 15 minutes.

BENDIGO VISITOR CENTRE: Designed by architect George Johnson, this grand building showcases a stunning blend of Renaissance Revival and Italianate architectural styles and opened in 1887. The exterior features elaborate ornamentation, with a symmetrical façade adorned with intricate stone carvings and decorative elements. The grand entrance is framed by tall Corinthian columns, exuding an air of elegance and importance.

The main hall, once bustling with postal activities, now serves as a vibrant hub for visitors. Take your time to soak up the soaring ceilings, ornate plasterwork, and meticulously crafted wooden finishes. If you need any help with local information the friendly volunteers are there to help.

There are also two small galleries within the building worth looking at: the Living Art Space exhibits local artists, while Djaa Djuwima is a space for indigenous art.

Open daily 9am-5pm

STOP 2

GOLDEN DRAGON MUSEUM

WALK TO THE GOLDEN DRAGON MUSEUM:

  • Exit the Visitor Centre turning left to walk past the old Law Courts. This building was used as the local law courts until early 2023. A twin of the Post Office with a few noticeable differences (the Law Court has no clock tower), the basement floor which can be seen below the level of the footpath, allowed light and ventilation to reach the prisoners held here while awaiting their trial. It is currently not known what this building will be used for in the future.

  • Just after the Law Courts veer left along Park Rd passing the 1897 Conservatory Gardens. The seasonal displays here are worth a look as you pass by.

  • As Park Rd veers left, continue straight into a pedestrian area with a very obvious, large yellow and red lotus sculpture. This area was one of Bendigo’s original Chinatowns. The museum is location behind the lotus sculpture.

GOLDEN DRAGON MUSEUM: At the height of the goldrush there were over 4000 Chinese miners in Bendigo. This remarkable museum is a testament to the city's rich Chinese heritage and celebrates the significant contributions of the Chinese community to Bendigo's history.

The museum holds a vast collection of artefacts with the centerpiece being the three generations of stunning imperial dragons. These majestic dragons have been paraded through the streets of Bendigo during the annual Easter festival since the 19th century.

Make sure you also visit the associated Chinese Gardens and Kuan Yin Temple next door to the museum.

Tue-Sun 9:30am-5pm • $16/$10 • website

Chancery Lane, Bendigo

STOP 3

LUNCH

WALK TO PALL MALL:

  • Walk back to the Visitor Centre. Across the road there are a range of restaurants with at least one that will appeal to your taste buds.

  • The tram to the Central Deborah Gold Mine departs at 12:40pm so make sure you take account of this in your meal time.

OISHI ON WHEELS: A great little Japanese eatery doing authentic food that is great value and extremely delicious.

Mon-Fri 11am-2:30pm, Thu-Fri 5-8pm • website • map

THE DISPENSARY: Tucked down the quirky Chancery Lane, The Dispensary is a bar and diner doing a large range of small plates designed for sharing. There’s also a number of other eateries along the lane.

Wed-Sun 12-3pm, Wed-Sat 6-11pm • website • map

GPO BENDIGO: Spanish & Mediterranean tapas, pizza & paella in a slick, contemporary space with a courtyard.

Tue-Sun 12-10pm, 1am close on Fri-Sat • website • map

OTHERS: If these don’t appeal there is a wide selection of other restaurants along Pall Mall as well as around the corner on Bull St.

Bendigo Talking Tram

STOP 4

CENTRAL DEBORAH GOLD MINE

TRAM TO THE MINE:

  • From Pall Mall walk back towards the Mitchell St intersection where the Alexandra Fountain is located.

  • The tram stop sits in the middle of the road. You’ll see the covered tram stop it on a little wedge of land in the middle of the road. This stop is called Charing Cross.

  • There is a tram at 12:40pm heading southwest, that is heading away from the direction of the Visitor Centre.

  • The tram costs $12.50/$7.50. You’ll receive a wristband which provides all day travel on the trams.

  • These beautify restored historic trams are part of the identity of the city. A recorded commentary while you ride provides a great understanding of the history of Bendigo.

  • It’s only a short 7 minute ride to the Mine.

Central Deborah Gold Mine

CENTRAL DEBORAH GOLD MINE: Bendigo remains one of the richest goldfields ever found in the world. In the past the entire landscape was filled with gold mining. The Central Deborah Gold Mine closed in 1954 and lucky for us, the owners walked away leaving all the equipment in place. This mine now serves as a link to Bendigo’s gold mining past.

While you are able to visit the surface for free, and there are very interesting and informative displays to see, the highlight here is to go on a tour 61m underground to learn about the lives of the miners and the conditions faced underground. Tours run every hour, take 75 minutes, and should be booked in advance, particularly on weekends and holidays. To fit with the timing of this day trip we suggest the 1pm tour.

Daily 10am-3pm • $35/$25 • website • bookings

The Capital Theatre, Bendigo

STOP 5

BENDIGO ART GALLERY

TRAM & WALK TO THE BENDIGO GALLERY:

  • After finishing at the Mine, hop back on the tram and head back to Charing Cross, the same stop where you got on after lunch.

  • If you feel like doing the whole tram ride simply stay on the tram and you will travel to the end of the line and return to Charing Cross 33 minutes later. Doing this will reduce the amount of time you can spend at the Gallery, but it is still possible to cover everything.

  • From Charing Cross you will need to cross to the corner of the intersection where the big “BENDIGO” sign is located. Great spot for a photo.

  • From here walk uphill 300m along View St past a series of beautiful former banks and insurance buildings.

  • The entrance to the Bendigo Art Gallery sits next door to the most impressive building in the street, the Capital Theatre (pictured). Take a minute to check out the amazing Corinthian portico.

Bendigo Art Gallery

BENDIGO ART GALLERY: Founded in 1887, this gallery is one of Australia’s oldest. Step through the gallery's doors and you'll be greeted by an array of masterpieces spanning various artistic movements and mediums. From renowned Australian artists to international works of art, the collection is thoughtfully curated to inspire and engage visitors of all ages.

The gallery is not only known for its permanent collection but also for its impressive temporary exhibitions. These carefully curated shows often feature works of art from acclaimed artists or explore captivating themes that resonate with the cultural fabric of Bendigo and beyond.

If you are in need of a coffee or treat there is a nice cafe with the gallery.

Daily 10am-5pm • website • map

Poppet Head, Rosalind Park, Bendigo

STOP 6

ROSALIND PARK

WALK TO ROSALIND PARK:

  • Located just behind the gallery is the top of Rosalind Park, a park that extends all the way downhill to the back of the Visitor Centre.

  • Walk out to the back of the gallery either by going out the front entrance, going left, then left again up the first laneway, or exit out the back of the gallery where the cafe is.

  • You will see the poppet head tower sitting up on top of the hill.

POPPET HEAD LOOKOUT: Take the stairs to the top of the poppet head for a wonderful view out across all of Bendigo.

WALK TO THE TRAIN STATION:

  • From the poppet head descend within the park veering to the right once you get down the steep hill.

  • You should come out at the big “Bendigo” sign at the corner of Pall Mall and View St.

  • Cross over at the lights to the other side of View St.

  • Cross over Pall Mall to make a visit to the ornate Alexandra Fountain. Designed by Bendigo’s famed architect Vahland, this polished granite fountain was declared open in 1881 by Princes Albert and George (later King George V). The great bowl is a single 20 tonne piece. It is a beautiful sight with water cascading down from its 8 metre height.

  • Leave the intersection by heading up Mitchell St for the 750m walk to the train station.

Bendigo Station 1861

TRAIN STATION

PHOTO: Bendigo Station. The main building looks little changed after 160 years. Alfred Morris c1861. State Library of Victoria Collection

TRAIN TO MELBOURNE: Back on the train home. We hope you enjoyed your time in Bendigo, the town that made Victoria the richest and fastest growing region in the world during the gold rush days.

Check the train timetable on the PTV website:

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FAQs

  • An overnight in Bendigo is a perfect way to enjoy the town and slow down the pace a little. So we have two suggestions:

    1. Visit all the sites on this day tour, but slow down and spread them over 2 days. Take the tram to the Joss House Temple at the end of the tram line, and check if there are any shows on at one of the theatres.

    2. Spend the night in Bendigo and in the morning go by train (30 mins) to Castlemaine for our Castlemaine Day Tour, then take the train home.

    You can find a range of accommodation on the Bendigo Tourism website

  • Train travel: $9.20

    Golden Dragon Museum: $16

    Lunch: $20-40

    Talking Tram: $12.50

    Central Deborah Gold Mine: $35

    Total: $93-113

  • Well done. Top of the class you go. Please let us know via our feedback form. We don’t claim to be perfect but we will keep trying until we are.