Growing up in regional Victoria, a trip to Bendigo was always exciting because the city boasted a Myer Department Store, a Movie theatre and more. In fact, there were numerous things to do in Bendigo with kids that my parents often took us there for special occasions.
As bonafide history buffs, we love exploring Bendigo as it has a rich history and so many different spaces to visit and expand the kid’s knowledge.
Bendigo was also a special place for me as a kid. I swore I would grow up and get married in the Bendigo Sacred Heart Cathedral (spoiler: we were married in Sydney!).
Places to Visit in Bendigo for Kids
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Golden Dragon Museum 金龙博物馆
Opening in 1991 to document, interpret and preserve the Chinese heritage in Australia, the Golden Dragon Museum touts itself as the Chinese Cultural Centre of Australia.
Trade links between China and Australia pre-date British colonisation (we revealed some of the Chinese history dating back to the 5th Century in our Aquascene Darwin post), however, it wasn’t until the 1850s gold rush that Chinese people began to settle in Australia. The Golden Dragon Museum explores the significant role of the Chinese during the goldrushes and as a part of Australia’s immigration history.
The Golden Dragon Museum boasts around 30,000 objects of significance including rare, unusual and uncommon items. Dr Sophie Couchman went as far as saying “No other single collection in Australia is able to provide the depth of insight into a Chinese community as large as Bendigo’s, in the detail it does, over such an extended time period”.
Make sure you include a visit to the Gardens and temple on your visit.
Location: 1/11 Bridge St, Bendigo
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm. | Open every day including Mondays during Victorian school holidays
Current Cost: Family (2 Adults and up to 4 children) $30.00
Accessibility: All areas of the Museum, Classical Chinese Gardens and Kuan Yin Temple are wheelchair accessible.
Bendigo Joss House Temple
Opened in 1871, 2021 marked the 150th anniversary of the Bendigo Joss House Temple. The heritage-listed temple is significant as being one of the few remaining buildings of its type in Australia.
The Bendigo Joss House Temple was one of seven Chinese temples built in the area and served the Ironbark Camp and was used right up until the 1930s when it was abandoned. It reopened to the public after a restoration in 1972 and is now a rare surviving structural artefact of the earlier culture and period when so little else remains.
It is a must-visit!
Location: Finn St, North Bendigo
Hours: Open each Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Current Cost: Entry to the temple is by donation.
Discovery Science and Technology Centre
Bendigo’s Discovery Science and Technology Centre is housed in a beautiful old historic railway goods shed and boasts over 100 fascinating exhibits to explore including a Planetarium and a 7m Vertical Slide.
Make sure to check the Centre’s calendar for the latest events and workshops.
Location: 7 Railway Pl, Bendigo
Hours: During Victorian term: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday | School Holidays: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm every day | Closed National Public Holidays
Current Cost: Family (2 Adults & up to 4 children) $54
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is located just outside of Bendigo in Myers Flat, and is the largest Stupa being built in the Western world. When completed, it will stand 50 metres high and will have a 50 metres square base with the goal of lasting over 1,000 years.
Built in the likeness of the Gyantse Stupa (Kumbum) in Tibet, the Stupa symbolises the enlightened mind and the path to enlightenment in Buddhism.
One of the most impressive items at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace. It is the largest Buddha carved from gemstone quality jade in the world and is 2.5 metres high and sits on an alabaster throne close to 1.6 metres high. It is truly impressive.
Currently, visitors can view a large display of holy relics inside the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion on the ground floor. When the stupa is completed, these will be displayed in the Bumpa which is situated on level 6 and will include holy relics from Shakyamuni Buddha, Kasyapa Buddha, disciples of the Buddha, and the 16 Arahants and several modern-day masters.
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is a fascinating place to visit with the kids and will undoubtedly lead to them asking many questions. There are a number of Buddhist monks at the stupa who are available to answer your questions.
Location: 25 Sandhurst Town Rd, Myers Flat
Hours: Weekdays – 9:00 am to 4:45 pm | Weekends/Public Holidays – 10:30 am to 4:45 pm | Christmas Day – CLOSED
Current Cost: Self-guided tours are by donation.
Central Deborah Gold Mine
The Bendigo goldfield represents the largest concentration of deep shafts anywhere in the world. Bendigo’s very foundation is gold, so a visit to this city needs to include a visit to a mine.
The Central Deborah Gold Mine is the most accessible tourist mine in Bendigo. It operated as a quartz-reef mine between 1939 to 1954 and in that short time produced just under a tonne of gold. At its peak, the mine reached a depth of 412 metres and boasted 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels).
In 1974, the Central Deborah Gold Mine was gazetted as a Public Historical Purposes Reserve which ensured it continued to exist. It has been a tourist mine ever since, providing visitors to Bendigo an opportunity to have a ‘hands-on’ experience of gold mining.
In 1998, the Underground Adventure Tour on Level 3 was launched, followed by the Nine Levels of Darkness tour in 2011 which is Australia’s deepest underground mine tour, providing access to Level 9, 228 matres underground.
Depending on your budget and interest, there are a number of tours you can take to explore the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo today.
Location: 76 Violet St, Bendigo
Hours: Open daily from 9:30am – 4:30pm
Current Cost: Explore the Surface is FREE but requires pre-booking | Mine Experience Tour – 61m underground is currently $99.00 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children)
Vintage Talking Tram Tour
The Vintage Talking Trams are a great way to explore Bendigo with each tram journey providing a glimpse into the city’s history with your guide pointing out attractions. Interest points and more. You can also get all day FREE parking at each tram stop except within the CBD (Tram Stop No. 2).
Location: You can catch a Vintage Talking Tram from Central Deborah Gold Mine, Alexandra Fountain, Lake Weeroona or the Bendigo Joss House Temple.
Hours: operate between 10:00am – 4:00pm each day, excluding Christmas and Boxing Day.
Current Cost: Adult: $10.00 | Concession: $10.00 | Child (3-15 years*): $5.00 | Infant (0-2 years*): Free | Tickets are valid for one day only and can be purchased on board the trams, at Central Deborah Gold Mine, the Bendigo Visitor Centre or online here.
Bendigo Pottery
Established back in the 1850s by Scottish migrant George Duncan Guthrie, Bendigo Pottery is now Australia’s oldest working pottery. A visit is an opportunity to learn about the history of pottery whilst also trying your hand at creating something yourself.
The Bendigo Interpretive Museum is built around the most significant collection of historic wood fired kilns in the world and contains displays of equipment used over the years and product made at the pottery since 1858.
The site also offers an opportunity to enjoy a range of experiences including clay play, wheel throwing lessons, and more. Head to the website for details and costs.
Location: 146 Midland Hwy, Epsom
Hours: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
Current Cost: $20.00 family (2 adults and up to 4 children)
Confectionery Capers
Don’t let the name confuse you too much, Confectionery Capers is not a lolly store but rather a bizarre space totally developed to encourage visitors to think laterally and creatively as they interpret hundreds of mechanical and language displays with hidden or oblique meanings. It’s weird. It’s quirky. You need to visit!
Location: 1028 McIvor Hwy, Junortoun
Hours: 10.00 – 5.00 Monday – Saturday | 1.00 – 5.00 Sunday
Current Cost: $20.00 for a family (2 adults and up to 5 children)
Bendigo Art Gallery
The Bendigo Art Gallery is is housed in the grand former Post Office building built in 1887, in the heart of town on Pall Mall. The gallery hosts a changing annual exhibition program of collections, artefacts and material that explores the history of the region.
The Bendigo Art Gallery recently exhibited Elvis: Direct from Graceland, with the items returning to Graceland in August 2022.
Location: 42 View St, Bendigo
Hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily | Closed on Christmas Day
Current Cost: General admission is free.
Cobb and Co Carriages Victoria
The Cobb and Co. Carriages run tours around Bendigo each day. It is an opportunity to learn how horse power helped create the city.
Location: Sidney Myer Place, Bendigo
Hours: Run daily every 30 minutes.
Current Cost: $80 per carriage (For up to 6 people)
PepperGreen Farm
PepperGreen Farm is the site is home to the oldest Chinese kiln outside of Asia, the original Chinese Market gardens of Bendigo and the historical manure shed. Today it is a social enterprise and is a not-for-profit business initiative providing training and employment for people with disability or experiencing disadvantages.
Visit this two-hectare site where you can participate in a range of enriching experiences or grab something to eat outside surrounded by the gardens.
Location: 40-44 Thunder St, North Bendigo
Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm
Current Cost: FREE
Sandhurst Gaol Tour
Having already visited Old Castlemaine Gaol, a tour of nearby Sandhurst Gaol is next on our bucket list. Although it was transformed into Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre back in 2015, Tuesday afternoons are reserved for tours of this early 1860s gaol, constructed from the Pentonville prison model where the wings radiate from a central tower.
The tour is an opportunity to hear stories of inhabitants old and new, while exploring this world class performance facility.
Location: 10 Gaol Rd, Bendigo
Hours: Tuesdays at 2.00 pm
Current Cost: Family ticket $30.00 (2 adults + 2 children)
Festivals and Events for Kids in Bendigo
Bendigo Easter Fair
The Bendigo Easter Fair is one of Australia’s longest-running community events having started over 150 years ago in 1871. Each year Bendigo’s Rosalind Park and surrounding streets transform for this four-day fair.
The Bendigo Easter Fair features family-friendly entertainment, stage shows, hands-on activities, live music, roving performers an Easter egg hunt and more! It is full of fun and excitement.
Location: Rosalind Park | 30 Gaol Rd, Bendigo VIC
Dates: 15 April – 18 April 2023
Where to Eat in Bendigo with Kids
Chancery Lane
We head to Chancery Lane in Bendigo for our very first lunch. This eclectic, endearing laneway has a small number of foodie delights to choose from and was perfect for our little family. We chose El Gordo because tapas felt like the perfect choice for a lazy summer lunch. You will also find The Dispensary Bar and Diner here. The Street Art is also the perfect backdrop for some photos.
Percy and Percy
This little cafe is great for brekkie or lunch, with a menu of delights for both you and the kids. The ingredients are sourced locally and the cafe is reputed to have the best coffee in Bendigo.
The Boardwalk
The Boardwalk Bendigo is one of my favourite breakfast and lunch locations in Bendigo. The food is not only instagramable, but absolutely delicious too. With a stunning view over Lake Weeroona, what’s not to like! You may like to book ahead to guarantee you a table.
The Good Loaf
Hands up if you love a good country bakery. After doing some research, Tee made sure we stopped at the Good Loaf, housed in a uniquely transformed and heritage-listed former Beaurepaires building, to source some of their award-winning bread AND some snot blocks (aka vanilla slices).
Open 6 days a week for breakfast, lunch and snacks, The Good Loaf cafe provides a casual setting for your family. Add it to your list (even if you’re just buying a loaf of sourdough!)
Din Fung Dumpling Restaurant
The Din Fung Dumpling Restaurant in Bendigo is one of our favourite Chinese restaurants in the city, especially for dumplings.
The Bridge Bendigo
The corner of Bridge and Water Streets has continued to have a licensed hotel on it since 1858 and was previously called the Waterloo Hotel. We found ourselves eating at The Bridge Bendigo on a public holiday when nothing much else was open, and it was fantastic – a great find with kids. Striker was very impressed with the chicken parma!
The Shamrock Hotel
The Shamrock Hotel was first established in 1854 and has been noted as a hotel with national significance to Australia. Having visited a number of times growing up, I have been fortunate to visit again with my kids where they have enjoyed the pub grub on the menu.
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