THE TOWN OF SHIMMERING GOLD

When gold was discovered here in 1851, thousands of people flocked to the Bendigo Diggings in order to strike it rich quick. Today the historical buildings and streets still remain as part of a living and breathing museum, namely the town of Bendigo, though the mining operations have been dead for decades. Walking around the town, you’ll see some fantastic examples of buildings that were constructed during the town’s heyday, and though there’s no more mining you can still find plenty to explore among the gardens, statues, avant-garde eateries, and one of Victoria’s best regional art galleries. You’ll be able to see examples in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Central Deborah Goldmine shafts, and even in the talking trams that shuttle people throughout the town and out to the Chinese Joss House at the end of town. Bendigo has really turned itself around to become a provincial centre, and it would be a shame if you miss out on what regional Victoria has to offer.

GOLD TOURS

The Central Deborah Goldmine is a fantastic place to see Bendigo’s heritage as a thriving goldmining town. The 500m of shafts dug into the earth was operational until 1954, when it was closed down and then refurbished into one of Bendigo’s major tourist attractions. As you descend down into the mine, you’ll see exhibits and photographs starting from the 1850s filling the fourteen active levels of the once active gold mine, the last in the tradition of building mine shafts in the most successful goldmining town in Victoria, and one of the world’s wealthiest goldfields.

Become enamoured by the underworld of this mining town, snaking through the multitude of underground tunnels being led on by a guide. After donning a hard hat and lights, you’ll be able to descend to see current operations, including a demonstration of hand-held mining and drilling. Tours will last 75 minutes, or if you want a further look at the mine you can choose to have an interactive experience and a lunch inside the mines in a tour that lasts two-and-a-half hours, having an experience just like the miners did years ago.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

GOLD MINING TOURS

Bendigo is all about the gold - from the goldmine to the talking tram the town revolves around its illuminating past as a goldmining centre. Take a tour of the mine and then head out on a tram tour to see just what Bendigo is made of.

BENDIGO ART GALLERY

The Bendigo Art Gallery is one of regional Victoria’s largest galleries, and has an amazing collection of 19th-century European art, as well as Australian art from many different eras and touring exhibitions from galleries overseas.

SOMEWHERE TO STAY

Bendigo has a few accommodations available, and the budget hostels are pretty good. The YHA has a hostel located just south of city centre, but there are other accommodations located in city centre as well.