Bendigo Getawaytake a break

Experience the contrasts of Bendigo as you explore its vibrant arts hub and worldclass food and wine scene, set against rich gold rush history, grand architecture, and magnificent gardens. Sample stunning contemporary cuisine in historic buildings, admire modern art in venues new and old, and explore the city's fascinating history at museums, gardens, and galleries.

Steeped in history

Take a walk or ride on Bendigo's talking tram and explore the city's heritage architecture. Don a miner's hat and dig up a wealth of gold rush history on a tour of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, or explore the city's Chinese heritage at the Golden Dragon Museum. Get behind the wheel at Bendigo Pottery, Australia's oldest working pottery, or admire the delightful conservatory, cascade waterfall and open-air fernery of Rosalind Park.

Art abounds

Discover Bendigo's vibrant arts precinct while wandering along View Street. Pop into the Bendigo Art Gallery (1887), which contains a collection of Australian art dating back to the 1850s and attracts significant exhibitions from across the globe. Explore the host of smaller galleries and antique stores around town and take a stroll down Chancery and Bath Lanes for an encounter with colourful street art.

For performing arts, catch shows big and small at the elegant Capital Theatre (1873) and the Ulumbarra Theatre, a striking complex on the grounds of the historic Sandhurst Gaol.

UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy

The Bendigo region has long set the standard for food and wine experiences. The 2019 designation as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy – an Australian first – recognises the creativity and uniqueness of Bendigo and the surrounding region's thriving food and wine scene, including the strong community behind it. Celebrate the paddock-to-plate philosophy with a meal to remember at some of the region's top restaurants, such as Masons of Bendigo and steak experts The Woodhouse.

Take time out to visit some of the 80 local wineries in the renowned Bendigo and Heathcote wine regions. Dine with a view of the vines, sample local varietals at cellar doors, and learn why the area is famous for its magnificent shiraz.

Foodies, prepare to fossick for fabulous local produce at farmers markets and green grocers across the region. Use the interactive Gastronomy Guide to discover standout restaurants, experiences. and gastronomy trails, then plan your foodie adventure.

The heart of Central Victoria and one-time richest city in the world, Bendigo has been attracting people from across the globe since the 1850s gold rush. These days, frenetic fortune hunters have been replaced by a new breed of creative 'tree-changers', who have brought with them a passion for the arts, design, food, and wine. The dynamic regional centre continues to celebrate its contrasts, setting vibrant arts hubs and buzzing bars and restaurants against grand architecture and a storied history.

Try a three-day break that captures the energy and flavour of this grand old city.

Day 1

The best place to start in any new place is the Visitor Information Centre. As a bonus, the Bendigo Visitor Centre is a former post office and grand historic attraction in its own right. It also houses the Post Office Gallery social history museum as well as the Living Arts Space, which showcases emerging local artists. You might stay longer than you think here.

Take a moment to get your Bendigo bearings from beautiful Rosalind Park. The reward for ascending the mine tower (Poppet Head) is stunning views of Bendigo and surrounds.

Lunch at the Gallery Cafe is the perfect segue into an arty afternoon. A delectable showcase of local food and wine, it also offers delicious views of the Bendigo Art Gallery's sculpture annex and Rosalind Park.

Fortified, you're ready to head inside to Australia's largest regional art gallery. See a touring international exhibition, or familiarise yourself with the contemporary names in the permanent collection.

Finish your fix of fine art with a wander through the View Street Art Precinct and its galleries, theatres, bars, eateries, and boutiques.

Prepare for a night out Bendigo-style with dinner at The Woodhouse restaurant. Then it's on to the new Ulumbarra Theatre to catch a performance in the 1860s Sandhurst Gaol building. Or you can devote your night to the blues, catching a gig at The Handle Bar, Rifle Brigade Hotel, Hotel Shamrock, Goldmines Hotel, or the Old Church on the Hill.

After such an artistic day, it's fitting that you should rest your head amid the original artworks, large-scale sculptures, and mosaics at Mercure Schaller Hotel, inspired by Mark Schaller's working studio.

Day 2

Set the tone for a bumper Bendigo day with breakfast from the kitchen garden at the Spring Gully General Store. Then join your local guide and take the Food Fossicking Tour of Bendigo's gourmet hotspots, discovering chocolate making, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and sourdough bread.

All that talk of food is bound to lead to hunger pangs, so finish up the tour with a 'paddock to plate' meal at Masons of Bendigo in the old WD Masons Glass shop. It's time to talk gold. Don your miner's hat and lamp and descend 61 metres underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine, a real mine from the mid-1900s. Climb ladders, work a mine drill' and search for gold – it's finders keepers!

Discover more tales of the city founded on one of the world's richest goldfields by sitting back on a historic Bendigo Tramways tram and visiting key local landmarks.

You've well and truly earned a drink by now. Head to tiny Chancery Lane and grab a glass or two of a local drop at The Dispensary.

Finish a jam-packed day with dinner at Ms Batterhams. Housed within the old school hall at Mackenzie Quarters, this relaxed lounge bar offers a southern European menu, paired with a locally-sourced wine list, delicious cocktails, and a wide range of craft beers.

Day 3

Grab a Lekker bike from Mercure Schaller Hotel and cycle to beautiful Lake Weeroona for breakfast.

Head to the Golden Dragon Museum to discover the living history of the Chinese people of Bendigo from the gold rush to the present day. Then make your way to the Great Stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa (monument) outside of Asia and home to the largest gem-quality jade Buddha in the world.

Alternatively, visit Bendigo Pottery to watch potters at work, or throw a pot yourself. Lunch at Balgownie Estate should be a relaxed affair so you can savour the rich, ripe reds and elegant whites from Bendigo's gold-bearing soils. With over 30 cellar doors to choose from, a visit to the Bendigo wine region is up there with striking gold

For more information visit www.visitvictoria.com.au •