Looking for fun things to do in Bendigo this weekend? Bendigo is a bubbling city located in the heart of Victoria Australia.
The city is one of the richest goldfields in the world, and its mines have produced more than 780,000kg of gold.
Bendigo is a wonderful city with a ton of enjoyable activities to offer visitors of all ages. Explore the downtown area and the historic district to see the museums, parks, arcades, restaurants, stores, and other entertaining locations.
The city offers a uniquely Australian experience that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime.
We’ve put together a list of the most interesting things to do in Bendigo this weekend for your travel convenience.
Things to do in Bendigo this weekend
1 Golden Dragon Museum
The golden dragon museum of Bendigo comprises the history of the Chinese who were leaving in the community from the late 19th century.
At the museum, you can see also the largest collection of imperial dragons, which are used in traditional dragon dances.
You can also view the John St. Alban collection of opulent furniture and decorations from late Qing Dynasty palaces and temples. The museum houses a collection of wax figures, including one of Sun Yat-sen, from the town’s long-closed Dai Gum San Wax Works.
And before you leave, be sure to look at the Horrie Bridges Collection of ancient Chinese coins from the Qin Dynasty. You may take pictures inside the galleries, so don’t forget to go with your camera.
2 Visit Bendigo Art Gallery
The Bendigo Art Gallery, located on View Street, was established in 1887 and is one of Australia’s oldest and largest regional art galleries.
It houses a sizable collection of Australian art inside this remarkable structure, extending from the 1850s to the present.
This gallery is known to conduct events and exhibitions every two years.
The Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize, Australia’s wealthiest and most opulent Open Painting Prize, is periodically presented by the Bendigo Art Gallery.
During this event, shortlisted artists display their work for several months, while the awardee receives a generous cash prize.
3 Central Deborah Gold Mine
The Central Deborah Gold Mine is a non-active gold mine that has turned out to be one of the top tourist attractions in Bendigo. It was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.
It was one of the Bendigo goldfields’ final mines to operate and one of the few to continue operating throughout World War II.
It shut down in November 1954 after producing 29,865 ounces of gold, making the North Deborah Mine the final mine in Bendigo to close two weeks later.
With its shaft expanded to accommodate larger lifts, it was reopened in 1986 as a tourist destination for underground excursions after being renovated by the local heritage organization.
For the best experience in underground touring, Central Deborah Gold mine serves as a perfect destination to visit in Bendigo.
4 Lake Weeroona
If you’re looking for a relaxing hike in Victoria Bendigo, consider Lake Weeroona as a top destination to visit.
A walkway that circles Lake Weeroona’s shoreline through tranquil parkland and woods is located within a reserve.
On the east bank, a cafe is available for quick bites or a few scoops of gelato, and kids may roam free at the big adventure playground.
People can walk around the lake a path that takes approximately 20 minutes to traverse or even jog or cycle around. You can reach the lake on a vintage tram, which runs from the city center to the lake.
A visit to lake Weeronna is one of the ideal things to do in Bendigo this weekend.
5 Bendigo Military Museum
The Bendigo Military Museum is an important contribution to the community that appeals to both residents and visitors.
It was first founded in 1921 and reopened in 2018 after being renovated and refurbished.
The museum is home to a sizable collection of artifacts from World War II, including letters, knives, even cigarette tins, and old books and medals.
The well-preserved recollections of the soldiers who served during those times are used in these exhibitions, which have either been donated or loaned by organizations and individuals, to readily transport visitors to the time of the conflict.
6 Visit the Iconic Alexandra Fountain
One of Bendigo’s well-known monuments is the Alexandra Fountain, which is situated at the intersection of Pall Mall and View Street.
Constructed in the 19th century, and was named after the Princess of Wales.
The Alexandra Fountain was constructed as a grand tribute to the prosperity of the Goldfields and the Bendigo area.
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the Charing Cross crossroads is also one of Bendigo’s busiest and most prominent junctions.
Visitors are captivated by the fountain’s design, which was created by local architect William Charles Vahland in the late Victorian era.
7 Bendigo Tramways
The Bendigo tramway is a system that has been in existence since 1890 and this is still open to visitors as a tourist attraction.
Bendigo Tramways, which offers visitors a thrilling way to explore the city, was voted Australia’s Cultural Attraction of the Year in 2016.
According to the locals, these trams are a fantastic and comfortable way to quickly cover significant sites and tourist attractions.
You can catch a tram through the city center between North Bendigo and the Central Deborah Gold Mine.
You can explore practically all of Bendigo’s top sights by riding a heritage tram on a hop-on, hop-off tour.
The 40,000-year history and customs of Bendigo’s earliest people are told on the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram, which departs from the Central Deborah Gold Mine every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00.
There’s also a monthly “Blues Tram” with live performances and “Yarn Bomb Tram” bedecked with crocheted seat covers, cushions, blankets, and bunting.
8 Rosalind Park
On the apex of View Street and Pall Mall is where you’ll find the lovely Rosalind Park.
Before the 1850s, the area was a green woods bordered by a long stretch of Eucalyptus trees by Bendigo Creek.
There were plans to make this area a park by 1855, and the current pattern was chosen by 1870.
As you stroll the park’s stately avenues, you’ll notice many structures that date back to the late 19th century, including ferneries, artificial waterfalls from the 1880s, a cast iron conservatory, and statues in the theatrical Neoclassical style.
Today, it features 60 acres of open space that are covered in plush grass and towering trees.
Rosalind Park also has a sizable playground, a conservatory, a fernery, a lookout tower, various gardens, and elaborate statues scattered across the park.
The Poppet Head lookout tower’s summit offers some of the best views over the city, and visitors are free to climb there.
9 Bendigo Pottery
The oldest active pottery in Australia has been in existence since 1858. In the existing location, ceramic manufacturing started in the early 1860s.
Today, Bendigo Pottery offers a large retail gallery of high-quality cookware and tableware that was all made in Bendigo at Epsom. Some of the pieces are handcrafted, while others are hand-decorated.
The Bendigo Pottery is a great destination to visit if you’re interested in learning about both traditional and contemporary handmade pottery and craft.
10 Bendigo Botanic Gardens
The Bendigo Botanic Gardens was the city’s first public garden and one of Victoria’s oldest regional botanic gardens.
It was built in 1857, is situated in White Hills, and has a variety of appealing features that interest people of all ages.
A relic of Bendigo Creek, the lake in the middle of the park is surrounded by local wetlands plants.
Other sections of the park include the Indigenous Garden, Habitat Garden, Northern Victorian Garden, Cottage Garden of the Victorian Goldfields, and the National Canna and Lavender Collections.
Additionally, there is a picnic pavilion, an aviary, and an Arch of Triumph, billabong, and grape walk, dating back to the early 1900s.
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11 Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral is a remarkable example of English Gothic architecture and one of the biggest cathedrals in Australia. It is also the second tallest building in the nation after St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
The church was mostly constructed thanks to the first Catholic priest on the Bendigo goldfields’ collection efforts. Inside, there is a sizable pipe organ and elaborate marble floors.
The church is clearly visible from the outside thanks to its spire, which rises 87 meters above the building. You can go to mass at the cathedral.
12 The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
Bendigo’s Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is the biggest stupa in the Western World and is the same size and shape as Tibet’s Great Stupa of Gyantse.
Experience one of Victoria’s largest cultural attractions, explore the gardens, spin the prayer wheels, marvel at Buddhist art and holy items, learn about Buddhist culture, and be awed by the grandeur of the stupa.
Stop for lunch or a barista-style coffee at StupaView Cafe. Is an unforgettable experience that will always pop up in your mind.
13 Attend Bendigo Easter Festival
If you want to see Bendigo’s imperial dragon, Sun Loong in action, then you need to be in town for the Bendigo Easter Festival, which has been celebrated since 1871.
Sun Loong shows up for the signature event, the Easter Procession, held on Easter Sunday and has more than 100 floats and over 1,000 participants each year.
Among the other long-running traditions are a carnival in the CBD, the Torchlight Procession, and the Awakening of the Dragon ceremony to stir and awaken old Sun Loong from his year-long sleep.
14 Bendigo Wine Region
The city of Bendigo, together with Bridgewater on Loddon, Madurang, Marong, and Harcourt, are all home to wineries that collectively go by the name of the Bendigo Wine Region.
Following the initial planting of grapevines in 1856, numerous families moved in and stayed to manage numerous wineries.
Red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz do especially well around Bendigo, and the main white is Chardonnay
Some of the well-known wineries in the area include Glenwillow Wines, Balgownie Estate, BlackJack Wines, and Connor Park Winery.
One can try wines from the Bendigo Wine Region at local cellars, individual wineries, or restaurants.
The wines are excellent and will leave you wanting more.
15 Explore Fortuna Villa
Located on Chum Street, Fortuna Villa is home to a lake, gardens, a Roman bath, and the Pompeii Fountain.
The 7.57-acre attraction is nestled amidst lovely gardens brimming with rich vegetation.
In 1871, George Lansell bought Fortuna Villa and the 180 Mine, which was connected to the New Chum Reef and generated income from his business enterprises and gold mining operations.
The villa is surprisingly intact as a house despite having been a busy business for 65 years.
This location frequently hosts several public events.
16 Bendigo Stadium
Bendigo Stadium, which is situated along Inglis Street, is a premier venue for sports and entertainment, hosting anything from big sporting events to business meetings and neighborhood gatherings.
It has been a popular destination for major athletic events because it is the largest indoor stadium outside of metropolitan Melbourne and the most substantial netball facility in rural Victoria.
Due to its popularity, Bendigo Stadium has inspired more people to visit the region around Bendigo.
Hosting such events boosts the economy, especially the hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors.
17 Bendigo Joss House Temple
Bendigo Joss House Temple is a Chinese place of worship that was constructed in the 1870s. At the temple, you can learn more about Chinese beliefs and the history of the Chinese gold-seekers who arrived in Bendigo.
The devoted temple staff will regale you with fascinating tales about the life of Chinese immigrants on the Bendigo goldfields in the 19th century and explain some of the remarkable rituals and beliefs that were practiced at the temple at this time.
The Bendigo Joss House temple has appeared to be a top destination in the city for a visit. A lover of history will find the temple interesting especially, gathering some artifacts about the early life of the Chinese in the city.
18 Taste a Chilled Beer at Gold Mines Hotel
One of the most popular hotels in Bendigo is the Goldmines Hotel, which is well-known for its beer garden. It was founded in 1857 and is among the city’s earliest hotels.
The Hotel is located on Marong Road, on the outskirts of Bendigo
Since its discovery, the hotel has become a well-liked location for beer tasting in the city due to continuous renovations and updates to meet contemporary requirements.
Apart from its famous beer garden, the hotel’s much-loved features include live music performances on weekends.
Visitors can sample creative dishes while sipping beer or wine, or they can take a leisurely stroll through the hotel’s courtyard and garden.
A visit to the Gold mines hotel is among the interesting things to do in Bendigo this weekend.
Best time to visit Bendigo
January, followed by March, and July is the busiest month for tourism in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. The majority of the city’s seasonal events can be enjoyed during this period, and it’s also a great time to get a feel for the city’s lifestyle.
