Bendigo Official Visitor Guide 2020
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OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE Bendigo & Heathcote EXPLORE THE BENDIGO REGION Bendigo & Heathcote Region OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE OFFICIAL VISITOR Legend Star Ratings Australia Self-Rating Accredited Tourism Business Caravan Industry Association of Australia BYO - Wine Only Child Friendly Environmentally Friendly Free WiFi Use #explorebendigo #exploreheathcote Food Fossicking Friendly (Local Produce) #bendigoeatdrinkshop to join the conversation on social media. Fully Licensed Facebook Pet Friendly Special Dietary Requirements Instagram Wheelchair Access TripAdvisor Wheelchair Accessible Parking YouTube Cover: Bendigo Town Hall Sunset Image credit: Joel Bramley Photography ExploreBendigo ExploreHeathcote BendigoEatDrinkShop CONTENTS 2 Welcome 4 Bendigo Region 2020 Bucket List 6 Itineraries 10 Events & Festivals 14 See & Do 28 Arts & Culture 44 Shop & Relax 52 Eat & Drink 76 Heathcote 88 Great Outdoors 94 Accommodation 112 Explore the Region 121 Services Information 124 Maps bendigotourism.com heathcote.org.au 1 WELCOME WELCOME TO BENDIGO & HEAThcOTE Bendigo’s history is as diverse as its landscape. Before Indulge in Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of European settlement, this region was known as Jaara Gastronomy, celebrating our region’s culture, creativity and Jaara Country by its traditional land owners. Between sustainability. Fall in love with local produce at food, wine 1850 and 1900, it became the world’s richest city thanks and craft beer festivals throughout the year; visit leading to the gold rush and most recently, a cosmopolitan revival cellar doors and farmers’ market, and experience the of movers and shakers has put Bendigo back on the map. paddock to plate sensation in one of our leading award Today, Bendigo is renowned for its creative fusion of winning cafés or restaurants. classic with contemporary, offering a world-class arts An impressive events calendar will feature the return of scene where the city itself is a living gallery – passionately Australian exclusive art exhibitions, the Lost Trades Fair, and personally shared by its creators, curators and the White Night and the 150th Bendigo Easter Fair. community. Enjoy this insider’s guide to the Bendigo and Heathcote Become immersed in Bendigo’s history with hands on region and discover a place that locals know and love. authentic experiences. Explore a real gold mine, ride a vintage tram, create a clay pot and learn about our Chinese history. 2 ExploreBendigo ExploreHeathcote BendigoEatDrinkShop bendigotourism.com heathcote.org.au 3 WELCOME BENDIGO REGION 2020 Bucket List Our guide to the must do’s when visiting the Bendigo region in 2020. 1. Check out Australia's first major exhibition dedicated 6. View the recently completed Great Stupa of to showcasing contemporary Indigenous fashion, Universal Compassion, the largest Buddhist Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion at Bendigo Stupa outside of Asia. Art Gallery, 18 July – 18 October. 7. Dance with dragons at the 150th Bendigo 2. Once the Sandhurst Mining Exchange, the newly Easter Fair, the longest running community restored 1872 Beehive Building will be ready to festival in Australia, 10 – 13 April. explore in 2020. Keep an eye out for opening dates 8. Discover Bendigo’s recently opened lounge bar, on our website. Ms Batterhams, sophisticated yet unpretentious, 3. Be inspired by the ‘art of handmade’ at the set in the basement of the old school hall at Lost Trades Fair, 7 – 8 March. MacKenzie Quarters in the arts precinct. 4. Learn about Bendigo’s growing street art scene with 9. Meet for a cheeky drink at Bendigo’s first the newly created Bendigo Street Art Tour, taking rooftop bar, Nimbus. you into the CBD’s hidden spaces filled with art. 10. Indulge in the ultimate feast with a series of 5. The magic of White Night returns to Bendigo, City of Gastronomy events throughout the year, 10 October, with the city coming alive through installation, lighting, exhibitions, performance, throughout the region. film, music, dance and more. For more information visit bendigotourism.com Image: Beehive Building 2019. Joel Bramley Photography. 4 ExploreBendigo ExploreHeathcote BendigoEatDrinkShop bendigotourism.com heathcote.org.au 5 ITINERARIES history Buffs Discover Bendigo’s diverse history from its traditional landowners, the gold rush era to today. BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER Start your morning with artisan hand- Grab a bite to eat from local pub Dine in one of Bendigo’s many crafted bakery goods and locally favourites, The Boundary Hotel, or repurposed heritage buildings. brewed coffee at The Good Loaf the iconic Hotel Shamrock in the Once gold rush banks and local Sourdough Bakery and Café, housed CBD. And follow up with a visit to the favourites include Bunja Thai, Rocks within the uniquely transformed and Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Museum. on Rosalind and Wine Bank on View. heritage-listed former Beaurepaires building. AFTERNOON EVENING Immerse yourself in Bendigo’s Catch a movie at Star Cinema, MID MORNING history at iconic attractions. formerly the Eaglehawk Town Hall, Take a tour of one of our many Learn about our mining history from the comfort of your own heritage buildings. Tour Ulumbarra at Central Deborah Gold Mine, couch with a glass of local red wine Theatre where heritage and modern hop on board a Vintage Talking in hand. Or take a moonlit walk elements blend beautifully within the Tram tour, and discover Bendigo’s along Pall Mall and View Street, walls of the former Sandhurst Gaol, Chinese history at the Bendigo a memorable way to see the city’s or indulge with a high tea and tour Joss House Temple and the Golden most iconic heritage buildings of the magnificent Fortuna Villa. Dragon Museum. and monuments lit up. 6 ExploreBendigo ExploreHeathcote BendigoEatDrinkShop famiLy friendLy keep the whole family entertained with authentic hands on activities. BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER Head to Percy and Percy and grab Enjoy lunch with a view at The Clogs are a Bendigo institute for a table in the ever popular leafy Boardwalk Bendigo, overlooking family friendly dining. Open daily courtyard for a modern breaky, the picturesque Lake Weeroona. from 5pm, choose from an extensive babyccino and coffee fix. Nearby, your little ones can enjoy kids menu, and while you wait your the playground and take a leisurely kids can create their very own pizza MID MORNING stroll while enjoying a handmade dough sculpture, baked and ready Fun for young and old, give your ice-cream from Favourite Flavours. to eat or admire. brain a challenge at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre, AFTERNOON EVENING or have it completely blown at Get creative and try your hand at Complete your family fun night Confectionery Capers. wheel throwing at Bendigo Pottery, out with an evening of ten pin or for those a little more adventurous bowling at Bendigo Bowling Centre, The Zone is the ultimate venue for complete with pool tables, arcade indoor and outdoor fun. amusements, licenced bar and café. bendigotourism.com heathcote.org.au 7 ITINERARIES cuLture vuLtures Be inspired by a creativity hub of movers and shakers shaping the city. BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER Dive into a beautifully handcrafted Treat yourself to a Roaming Lunch Dine at the 2020 Age Good Food pure butter croissant and coffee at at Masons of Bendigo. That’s seven Guide People’s Choice restaurant, Harvest Food & Wine. You won’t insane dishes within 50 minutes. The Woodhouse. Wagyu lovers will be disappointed, but you will be You can’t go wrong. salivate over the menu, along with back for more. wood fired pizzas, charcuterie and AFTERNOON indulgent desserts. MID MORNING Explore View Street arts precinct, Jump on board one of the city’s home to the extraordinary collection EVENING new walking Foodie Tours and meet of one of Australia’s largest and most Enjoy Bendigo’s nightlife with live passionate foodie heroes or visit impressive regional art galleries, music, the performing arts and The Great Stupa near the historic Bendigo Art Gallery. Or venture entertainment. Check out balconies, Eaglehawk for a morning of spiritual a little further on Bendigo’s Artist beer gardens, laneways and wellbeing. Walk exploring galleries, laneways, underground bars, The Capital studios and artisan wares. or Ulumbarra Theatre. 8 ExploreBendigo ExploreHeathcote BendigoEatDrinkShop girLs weekend indulge in a little retail therapy and pampering with your besties. BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER Tuck into a healthy breaky and Get your taste buds around Wander down a quirky laneway smoothie at a local providore international cuisine, the options under the fairy lights to dine at café, where local produce is the hero are endless. Sangria Spanish Tapas Bar. Share on the plate. Bendigo Wholefoods or plates and churros are a must! Edwards Providore are your best bet! AFTERNOON Enjoy an afternoon of meeting the EVENING MID MORNING makers at boutique cellar doors Kick into the night with an extensive Shop ‘til you drop with inner city of award winning wines – Shiraz is range of craft beer, boutique wine shopping – think boutique retailers, our specialty, but new Spanish and and cocktails hand selected by designer labels, homewares, vintage Italian varieties are now available. bartenders at Rocks on Rosalind, in and quirky finds or big brands at Learn their stories, sample the latest a hidden beer garden at Handle Bar Bendigo Marketplace. Or treat vintage or if you’re lucky enough, or laneway drinks at The Dispensary. yourself to a little pampering and straight from the barrel. indulgence at Jools for Jim. bendigotourism.com heathcote.org.au 9 EVENTS & FESTIVALS events & festivaLs Bendigo is the regional destination of choice for arts and culture, business and corporate, national and international sports, as well as world-class food and wine events. Our most well-known and loved event is the famous It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Bendigo Bendigo Easter Fair, celebrating 150 years in 2020. – the calendar of events is bursting at the seams, ensuring Australia’s oldest running community festival sees families there will always be something fabulous happening.