The X-Golf Simulator is available for bookings by both Our Park Guests and the General Public.
Our X-Golf state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator offers players unparalleled accuracy and realism. Through a combination of camera systems, infrared lasers, impacts sensors, and advanced gaming software. Enjoy the ultimate golfing entertainment experience.
BOOK HERE TO PLAY!
Founded in 1858, Bendigo Pottery in Epsom is Australia’s oldest working pottery. Set within a heritage-listed site with historic wood-fired kilns, it showcases over 150 years of ceramic craftsmanship and innovation.
Visitors enjoy a rich, hands-on experience through exhibitions, demonstrations, artisan studios, and shopping — all in an accessible, welcoming setting.
Interpretive Museum & Kilns
Discover the history of Australian ceramics through heritage kilns, factory views, and multimedia displays.
Pottery Demonstrations & Wheel-Throwing
Watch expert potters or join a beginner-friendly workshop (school holidays only, bookings essential).
Clay Play & Paint-a-Piece
Create your own clay sculpture or decorate ready-made ceramics for glazing and firing.
Retail Gallery
Shop from a wide range of locally made ceramics, including seconds and unique tableware.
Antiques & Collectables Centre
Browse 40+ stalls featuring retro décor, vintage pottery, jewellery, and collectables.
Village of Artisans
Meet local artists offering handmade glass, textiles, paintings, food and wine.
Tours & Group Bookings
School programs, guided tours and birthday packages are available by request.
Hours: Open 6 days (closed Tuesdays), 10 am–4 pm
Museum Entry: ~$8 adults; discounts for kids and groups
Facilities: Free parking, wheelchair access, public toilets, Wi-Fi, rose garden
The Central Deborah Gold Mine was the last commercial mine in Bendigo — Operating between 1939 and 1954, producing 929 kg (29,865 oz) of gold, now worth over $70 million in today’s terms. It employed around 357 miners, working across 17 underground levels and tunnels spanning approximately 15 km
The mine reached a depth of around 412 metres, before ceasing operations in late 1954 and becoming the final Bendigo gold mine to close
Go 61 metres underground with a guide to discover life as a gold rush miner.
⏱ Duration: 75 minutes
👥 Ages: 3+ (min. 2 people, max. 20 per tour)
♿ Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
💪 Fitness: All levels
💰 Cost:
Adult $40
Concession $35
Child $30
Family $110
Wander heritage-listed buildings, historic equipment & museum exhibits (incl. Hand of Faith replica).
⏱ Duration: Self-paced (allow 30–45 mins)
👨👩👧👦 All ages & accessible
💰 Cost:
Adult $8.50
Concession $6
Children FREE
A stupa, also known as a pagoda, is the most sacred structure in Buddhism. It symbolises the enlightened mind and the path to enlightenment, and often houses holy relics of the Buddha and other spiritual teachers.
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, located near Bendigo, is 50 metres wide and nearly 50 metres tall—making it the largest stupa in the Western world. It is modelled on the Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet, one of Buddhism’s most treasured monuments.
Objectives of the Great Stupa:
Inspire a peaceful and spiritual path
Serve as a global Buddhist pilgrimage site
Offer a refuge of serenity for all
Educate people about Buddhism
Host major teachings and seminars
Benefit as many beings as possible
Annual Events Held at the Great Stupa:
Festival of Light
Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Retreats
Vegetarian Food Festival
Wellbeing Festival
Sacred Music & Dance of Tibet
Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival
Interfaith Forums and Ceremonies
School and Group Tours
Bringing a four-legged family member on holiday? Good news — Bendigo is packed with dog-friendly places to walk, dine, relax, and explore. Whether it’s lakeside strolls, café stops, or wine tastings, there’s something for every good dog and their best mate.
🌳 WALKS & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
🐕🦺 Lake Weeroona Walk & Whitby Café
Flat, scenic loop walk — perfect for on-lead dogs
Grab a bite at dog-friendly Whitby Café
Keep an eye out for the hot jam donut & coffee vans on weekends!
🌸 Botanical Gardens & Omari Café
Peaceful strolls through lush gardens (dogs on-lead)
Enjoy pet-friendly outdoor seating at Omari Café
🦴 OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS
🐾 Harcourt Dog Park
3.7 hectares, fully fenced natural space
Features four small dams, shady trails, and lots of room to roam
🐾 Allingham Reserve Dog Park
1.3 hectares, fully fenced
Includes a separate area just for small dogs
☕ DOG-FRIENDLY CAFÉS
Percy and Percy – Trendy corner café with outdoor tables
The Corner Store Café – Welcoming and cosy, with a dog-friendly courtyard
Quarry Hill Café & Larder – Courtyard seating and a locally sourced menu
Bennett Street Café – Casual spot with a great outdoor dining area
🍷 DOG-FRIENDLY WINERIES
St. Anne’s Winery – Free tastings and relaxed grazing platters; dogs welcome outdoors
Balgownie Estate Bendigo – Dogs allowed on the lawns and designated outdoor areas
🧘♂️ PEACEFUL PLACES
The Great Stupa
Tranquil gardens and walking paths
Dogs welcome on-lead as you explore this unique spiritual site
🚋 VINTAGE TALKING TRAM TOUR
Dogs are welcome on-lead and at staff discretion
Hop on/off to explore Bendigo, including stops like the Tram Café
Located in a beautiful historic Railway Goods Shed near the Bendigo Railway Station, Discovery is a not-for-profit centre where science comes alive for curious minds of all ages.
🔭 Over 100 hands-on science exhibits
Explore interactive displays that inspire learning through play. There's something for every imagination!
🌌 Planetarium Shows
Experience awe-inspiring educational and creative screenings in our immersive dome theatre.
🎢 Southern Hemisphere’s Biggest Vertical Slide
Face your fears with a 7-metre vertical drop—a thrill you won’t forget!
🌈 Kaleidoscope Zone (Ages 5 & Under)
A colourful, sensory play space designed for our youngest explorers—fully fenced for safety and peace of mind.
Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre rises majestically from within what was once the Sandhurst Gaol. Discover the symbiotic fusion between 1860s penitentiary architecture and clever contemporary design to create an extraordinary arts and community facility. Our knowledgeable guides share the stories of inhabitants old and new, while exploring this world class performance facility.
Sandhurst Gaol Tours operate regularly on Tuesdays at 2pm.
Bookings essential through the Bendigo Visitor Centre.
Please select adult, child or concession ticket types.
If you would like to arrange a private group tour please contact the Bendigo Visitor Centre on 1800 813 153, subject to availability. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.
Ulumbarra, meaning ‘gather together’ in the language of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, is representative of the role the site has played over time; from an indigenous meeting place, to the original Government Camp, later the Sandhurst Gaol and now a magnificent theatre.
Constructed in the early 1860s, the gaol was based on the Pentonville prison model where the wings radiate from a central tower, now the symbiotic link between the heritage and contemporary architecture. Your guide will explore spaces throughout this extraordinary arts and community facility, telling the tales that once remained behind the walls.
Transformed in 2015 into a state-of-the-art performance and event space including world class production capabilities it is now truly a place for all to experience.
A unique opportunity to see an architectural masterpiece.
The pride and tradition which surrounds the City of Greater Bendigo is best symbolised by the majestic and lovingly restored landmark which housed the Post Office from 1887 to 1997. The grandeur, scale and wealth of intricate decorative detail can be viewed on one of our Historic Post Office Tours.
Bookings are essential through the Bendigo Visitor Centre and are available only for groups of 10 or more.
Immerse yourself in the rich stories of a golden past, explore stunning heritage architecture fashioned in a time when Bendigo was the richest city in the world!
Please note:
Historic Post Office Tours are only available for groups of 10 or more. Please select your preferred date and time and our friendly staff will contact you to let you know if your selection can be accommodated.
Call the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre on 1800 813 153 for further information.
The grandeur of the Historic Post Office is demonstrated in the exterior details with gargoyles and lions adorning all faces of this magnificent building.
These intricacies are replicated throughout the internal spaces and can be explored during these small group tours. Your guide will share their favourite stories of the building's occupants, past and present while you venture to secret spaces beneath.
A unique opportunity to see an architectural masterpiece created in 1887 by the state government to signify Bendigo's prominence in Victoria's prosperity. Designed by G.W Watson initially as a Post Office, the building served many purposes during the twentieth century and now proudly houses the Bendigo Visitor Centre.
Fully restored to its former glory in 1986, this treasured grand old dame, continues to provide a warm welcome to all, just as it would have over 125 years ago.
Immerse yourself in the rich stories of a golden past. Explore stunning heritage architecture fashioned in a time when Bendigo was the wealthiest city in the world!
Bendigo Town Hall Tours operate regularly on Wednesdays at 2 pm, and Sundays at 11 am.
During the height of the gold rush, the civic fathers of Bendigo were displeased with the basic appearance of their municipal building. A redevelopment was commissioned to reflect the abundance and splendour of Bendigo's golden age. The masterpiece that now commands the site was the creation of W.C Vahland who went on to become one of the city's most revered architects.
Decorative plaster adorned with 22-carat gold leaf, befitting a European palace, holds the stories of a city built on gold. Restoration of the splendid building was completed in 2003. It remains as it was at the turn of the century, the jewel in Bendigo's crown.
Your guide will take you on a fascinating journey through the Town Hall. Explore the current city council chambers and take a selfie at the Mayor's table!
A visit to Bendigo Tramways will leave you in awe. There's no better way to see the sights of Bendigo than aboard one of our iconic Vintage Talking Trams. Sit back, relax and let the tram do all of the talking!
Whether you're in Bendigo for the weekend or have an hour to spare, a Vintage Talking Tram Tour is the quickest way to get your bearings and see the city's key landmarks and monuments.
Your Vintage Talking Tram ticket is valid for one day, allowing you to get on or off the tram at any tram stop and wander through the city at your leisure, enjoying the many attractions, shopping and dining facilities that Bendigo has to offer.
For a detailed timetable, please click here or see any of the tram stops, ask the staff at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, or phone 1800 813 153.
Vintage Talking Trams are dog-friendly too!
The owners, brothers Paul and George Greblo, are proud to be continuing a family tradition of winemaking that began generations ago in northern Italy.
A visit to Sandhurst Ridge, less than 20 minutes from the centre of Bendigo, virtually guarantees an informative conversation with someone with hands-on knowledge of the vines as well as the wines, since Paul (the winemaker) and George (the vineyard manager) reside on the estate.
One of the gems of the Bendigo region, Sandhurst Ridge is a family-run, boutique winery that has been producing award-winning wines since its first vintage in 1995.
Nestled against a state forest, their vineyard is planted with shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc, and, in tribute to their Italian origins, Nebbiolo. Ralph Kyte-Powell awarded 4.5 stars to this intriguing Bendigo red.
Get a taste of the peaceful vineyard lifestyle by booking into one of their modern, well-appointed, one-bedroom cottages. Borrow a mountain bike to explore the surroundings, chill out on the verandah overlooking the vines, or pop over to the cellar door to enjoy tastings of the full range of Sandhurst Ridge wines, including some magnificent older vintages.
Visit the website for more information about this delightful spot in the Goldfields Region.
Authentic volunteer-run steam railway linking historic gold mining towns of Castlemaine and Maldon in Central Victoria.
Family fun - take the kids for a memorable day out. Watch the world go by from your family compartment as the steam train puffs up the hills.
First Class - for a touch of class step back in time to an era of elegance when the journey was as important as the destination. Ride on the end viewing platform on the parlour car. Enjoy a drink from the fully stocked bar.
Catch the train for a return trip from Castlemaine or Maldon stations. Castlemaine is 90 minutes from Melbourne by car on the Calder Freeway. For a wonderful day out, leave the car behind and use your Myki to catch the V/Line train from Melbourne to Castlemaine where you simply change platforms to catch the steam train.
After a leisurely 45-minute train ride you have two hours in historic Maldon to enjoy lunch at a pub or cafe and then relax on the train (maybe enjoying a drink from the bar in first-class) back to Castlemaine.
Trains run Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and school holidays. Visit the website for more information.
Support and connect with the local farmers, producers, and growers at the Bendigo Farmers Market. Your chance to purchase fresh, regional produce directly from the farmer and producer, in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Seasonal fruit, vegetables, and herbs, all kinds and cuts of meat (beef, lamb, goat, free-range chicken) as well as fresh bread, cheese, wine, olives, eggs, baked goods, cakes, dumplings, and more.
The Monthly market takes place every 2nd Saturday of the month at Bendigo Pony Club, corner Breen St and Belle Vue Rd, Golden Square from 9 am – 1 pm.
The Weekly Market right in the heart of Bendigo at 404 Hargreaves Street is held every Thursday from 2 pm – 4:30 pm.
Enjoy gorgeous produce, support your local farmers and producers, and really connect with your food and its growers.
At the heritage-listed Bendigo Joss House Temple, you can discover more about the Chinese migrants who came to Bendigo in search of gold so long ago.
The Bendigo Joss House Temple, a Chinese place of worship, was opened in 1871. Standing for over a century, the Bendigo Joss House Temple is one of the few remaining buildings of its type in Australia. It comprises a Caretaker's Residence, Temple, and Ancestral Hall.
The main temple is dedicated to Guan-Di, the god of war and prosperity. The Chinese saw Guan-Di as a wise judge, guide, protector, and provider of wealth and prosperity.
Constructed with locally hand-made bricks and painted red - symbolising the traditional Chinese colour denoting happiness, strength, and vitality - the Bendigo Joss House Temple is an important part of Bendigo's cultural history.
The Bendigo Joss House Temple is located at the Northern terminus of Bendigo's iconic Vintage Talking Tram Tour.
The Bendigo Joss House Temple is open each Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm, with the last entry accepted at 2:30 pm.
The Golden Dragon Museum is Victoria's first accredited museum and it beautifully presents processional regalia, carved furniture, and costumes embroidered with gold bullion thread. Artifacts date as far back as the Shang Dynasty 1600 - 1026BC.
Experience a living history of the Chinese people in Bendigo, from the gold rush of the 1850s to the present day, at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Australia.
Located at the entrance to the museum are a gift shop, tea rooms, education centre, and research library. The Museum's Chinese precinct includes the Yi Yuan Gardens, the Guan Yin temple, and the Dai Gum San forecourt.
Individuals can enjoy insightful educational tours on a range of subjects which bring the museum to life for group bookings. The educational tours for school groups include a range of Primary and Secondary topics including Year Seven Ancient history, Year Nine Immigration, and VCE History revolutions.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 9.30 am-5 pm.
Open every day including Mondays during the Victorian School Holidays
Bendigo National Swap Meet – Australia’s biggest and the world’s 4th largest!
The largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere attracting over 30,000 motoring enthusiasts. Featuring motorcycles and steam & oil engine displays.
Dates: 15-16th Nov 2025
Gates open: 6 am Saturday and 7 am Sunday
Admission: Saturday
$15, Sunday $5
Children under 16 free
Contact: 0434 730 822
Email: info@bendigoswap.com.au
Location: Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Road, BendigoThe annual Swap Meet has been held in Bendigo since 1975.
Bendigo has excellent club rooms and mechanical facilities enabling it to play host to many other car club rallies.
The Federation now supports 96 clubs with trophy donations and grants for equipment, 3 picnic displays, and quarterly meetings all of which are fully funded from the Swap Income.
The Swap now has over 1,700 sites and attracts in excess of 20,000 people over the weekend and it is known worldwide in the Historic Vehicle movement. Car restoration parts and cars from the 1900s to current models are available for sale over the three days.
The tradition of wine grape growing in the Bendigo region is nearly as old as Bendigo itself. Bendigo’s winemakers are winning attention with their elegant reds and stylish whites. The majority of the local Bendigo wineries are small to medium-sized and are still run by the families who founded them.
For more info go to https://www.bendigowine.org.au/wineries
If you've never been to one of our great wine events before, you are missing out. Plan your next Bendigo stay around one of these amazing wine experiences.
Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival
Meet the winemakers of the region, sample the best Bendigo wines, and enjoy live music in a tranquil garden setting.
When: Sat 5th April
Where: Rosalind Park, Bendigo
Heathcote On Show
Experience the Heathcote Region at Heathcote On Show where artisan winemakers, chefs, brewers, and musicians welcome you to Heathcote.
When: June 8th-10th 2025
Where: Heathcote
Heathcote Wine and Food Festival
Taste Heathcote wines from over 40 producers, meet the winemakers, as well as regional foods and produce in one central location over one great weekend.
When: 4th- 5th October 2025
Where: Heathcote Agricultural Showgrounds
Bendigo on the Hop, Bendigo Beer's annual event is on again and it's a special one as it is turning 10!
WHEN: TBD for 2025
Visit: https://bendigobeer.com/no-time-to-rest/
The 2025 Lost Trades Fair, will be held at the Bendigo Racecourse and will showcase over 200 traditional makers - demonstrating and sharing their skills and their trades and crafts work. Come and see these trades being practised - meet the makers and have the opportunity to buy something truly unique.
Lost Trades aims to inspire, to educate, to show things made by real people rather than machines; to think about the sustainability of what we buy, to excite people to make something with their own hands - to show them what people can do with practice, proper instruction and learned skill.
From master coopers working alongside stonemasons, bookbinders, chairmakers, ropemakers and luthiers, makers of rocking horses, penny farthings and coaches; hedge layers, knifemakers, clockmakers, and more. Master craftsmen and craftswomen who have been practicing their trades for their whole life. With over 1,000 combined years of training - all in one place - at the Lost Trades Fair you will find inspiration, find skill, find craftsmanship, find passion, find incredible stories and people.
Attracting a combined audience of over 100,000 visitors over the past six years, the Lost Trades Fair is unique, captivating, and arguably the most inspiring and authentic show on earth.
Date: 8th-10th March 2025
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Where: Bendigo Racecourse
Located in and around the township of Maldon, the Maldon Historic Reserve protects many relics from the gold mining era - abandoned shafts and tunnels, mullock heaps, quartz roasting kilns, stone walls, chimneys, and machinery - as well as the box and ironbark forests.
Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.
Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.
The Maldon Museum houses a remarkable collection of objects and records, which represents the essence of Maldon and the diverse stories of Maldon and the District. The timeline exhibition tells of the area's earliest inhabitants, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the European pastoralists, and the people from many countries who came to call Maldon home as gold mining flourished from the 1850s and the town boomed.
Separate exhibitions explore several local themes including gold mining methods, trade unionism, and heritage conservation.
The Museum is situated in the State heritage-listed former Maldon Market House, c1859 which is well worth a look in its own right. The collection includes many significant historical items as well as a wealth of valuable local history material which is available for onsite research by both amateurs and professionals.
The Maldon Museum and Archives are nestled in the delightful Maldon Gardens right in the centre of historic Maldon; Australia's first Notable Town as announced by the National Trust in 1966.
Groups can be catered for and there is plenty of parking nearby.
The District Museum is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The History Research Centre is open Fridays between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm by appointment only.
Held annually at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, this free, fun family event is all about celebrating vegetarian cuisine from around the world. Enjoy vegetarian food from many different cultures, including; Mexican, Greek, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Italian, Indian, French, Tibetan, and more.
A coming together of friends, family, and cultures, learn how vegetarianism has developed in other communities, watch cooking demonstrations, and sample vegetarian dishes from all over the globe. Learn the benefits of a vegetarian diet for your health and other sentient beings. Get your animal blessed by a monk inside The Great Stupa. There are heaps of activities for the kids too.
The best part is, that all pets are welcome!
When: TBC for 2025
Time: 10 am-3 pm
Where: 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat
Cost: Free (Donations Welcome)
The city’s finest musicians will be making the tram their stage, ensuring that no two nights are ever the same!
With strictly limited tickets available, the Groove Tram is one of the most exclusive parties in town.
Gather your family and friends, book your tickets online, and get ready to groove the night away.
GROOVE TRAM DETAILS:
We invite you to the sustainable garden party!
DATE: Sunday 30th of March
TIME: 10:00 am - 3.00 pm
WHERE: Garden for the Future, White Hills.
Attendees will have the chance to purchase, learn, and explore many new and creative ways to live. You can then implement them into your everyday life at home and at work.
Entry is by gold coin donation.
For more info: https://www.bsg.org.au/events/bsf2025
The City of Greater Bendigo is delighted to announce a new chapter for the Bendigo Writers Festival with a return to its traditional winter spot in the events calendar in August 2025.
Tickets are expected to go on sale in May 2025 with announcements of some of the big-name writers taking part in the festival.
Bendigo Venues & Events will be releasing more announcements in the coming months as the planning for the 2025 festival comes together.
See the BWF website for more information https://www.bendigowritersfestival.com.au/
August. 15th- 17th : 10:00 am - 04:00 pm
Location
The Capital, Bendigo, 50A View St, Bendigo
Meatstock is back for more BBQ, Bands, and Bedlam!
Meatstock 2025 is bigger and better than ever, returning with a fun-filled sensory explosion on 14-15 March in Bendigo. Set across two huge days, each event celebrates the best of barbecue culture, live music, and unforgettable good times.
“Meatstock is a weekend of like-minded music and barbecue-crazed people, with lots of families hanging out, camping together, and enjoying amazing, authentic barbecue, great music, and really fun entertainment. The energy is amazing!” enthused Jay Beaumont, Director of Meatstock.
Tickets go on sale 18th September 2024 at 8 AM. All ticket pricing and event information are available at www.meatstock.com.au. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Meatstock is proudly sponsored by Jack Daniel’s, Traeger, Heat Beads, Better Beer, Que Club, and Born Dry.
Gates
Friday 2pm-10pm
Saturday 11am-10pm
The ultimate venue for FUN in Bendigo!
The Zone offers a range of adrenaline-packed activities that provide a challenging and lasting experience. Ideal for kids (and big kids), The Zone has an adventure waiting for everyone and is the perfect day out for the whole family.
Laser Tag – Skating – Go Karts – Mini Golf – Archery Tag – Paintball – Indoor Play Centre – Jumping Castle – Outdoor Maze – Slot Cars – Arcades.
Get the adrenaline pumping with the fantastic activities. Or sit back, relax and recharge with a coffee and a bite to eat in the cafe. Groups are welcome for a BBQ or party. They also welcome birthday parties and corporate functions.