Bloom brings with it a bunch of events, showcases, and activities highlighting the exquisite landscape and historic township. As the UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Bendigo is not only a special spot to visit this spring, but also a hub for hospitality gems with cafes, fine dining experiences, a standup craft beer and distillery scene, and a restaurant roll call that is unrivalled.
If you’re heading into the inland region of Bendigo this month, here are our top picks to explore.
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Hotel Ernest
10/12 View St, Bendigo
The sister hotel to Ballarat’s Hotel Vera, Hotel Ernest brings refined living to overnight stays. Tapping into the cultural tapestry of the city, Hotel Ernest is a requisite destination for the discerning traveller, for the seeker of style, for the avid historian, for the cultural connoisseur.
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Langley Estate Suites
484 Napier St, White Hills
Go grand in the city of Gastronomy at Langley Estate Bendigo. This iconic Australian Federation-era estate on 2.5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens in Victoria’s spectacular and historic Goldfields region was built in 1904, with the mansion hailed as the most distinguished property in the city and an architectural marvel.
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Sandhurst Ridge Bed & Breakfast
156 Forest Drive, Myers Flat
Sitting just a 15 minute drive from the heart of Bendigo, Sandhurst Ridge BED & Breakfast offers two cosy cottages, Lina and Teo, surrounded by picturesque vineyards and nestled into a bush land setting. The accommodation is a part of the namesake boutique winery producing five star wines.
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Terrae
10/12 View St, Bendigo
For those lapping up the luxury of Hotel Earnest, you don’t have to go far to find fine dining. The Tim Foster headed restaurant is cemented in European cuisine with a focus on fresh local produce with a menu that reflects a deep respect for time-honoured cooking methods, infused with contemporary creativity.
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Alium Dining
17 View Point, Bendigo
Alium Dining is a lunch and dinner destination with a focus on combining the goodness of food with the greatness of people. A seasonal menu includes 2 and 3 course options and an a la carte menu subtle with quiet excellence. Paired with their cocktail menu and extensive wine list, you have a winner!
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Percy and Percy
110 Hargreaves Street
You’ll spot Percy and Percy from the street with its vibrant yellow and white stripped umbrellas and bunting hanging from the corner street entrance. This cafe, and local grocer and gift store wears its heart on its sleeve, slinging good coffee, hearty brunch goods and delicious treats to take home.
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Bob Boutique
17 Williamson Street
For something quirky and handmade, head to Bob Boutique. This shop is home to local designer Sonia Brit, who specialises in handmade softies, fashion, homewares and artworks, created in-house. The shop also features items from fellow local artisans with an ever-changing range of products, keepsakes and made-with-love treasures to take home.
Mr Good Times
Bath Lane, Bendigo
Mr Good Times has been delighting three generations since 1979 and it’s easy to see why it’s a staple of shopping and sightseeing when in the Bendigo area. A shop with toys, books, games, clothes and special gifts for children, Mr Good Times is like stepping into Santa’s workshop, there’s a sprinkle of magic and a hint of nostalgia attached to each authentic item.
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Bendigo Pottery
146 Midland Hwy
Experience the history and craft of Australia’s oldest working pottery. Housed within the Antiques & Collectables Centre with over 30 individual sites under the one roof, you’ll be able to pick up a gorgeous high-quality, handcrafted ceramic to take home.
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Bendigo Art Gallery
42 View Street
One of the top arts and cultural experiences to immerse yourself in has to be Bendigo Art Gallery. Bendigo Art Gallery has earned its reputation as one of Australia’s largest and most innovative regional galleries with their crowd-drawing international exhibitions such as Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Tudors to Windsors, Elvis, and Frida Kahlo as well as a range of public programs and funky events.
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Golden Dragon Museum
5/11 Bridge St
Chinese culture is embedded in Bendigo, dating from the goldrush to the present day, and it is celebrated extensively annually during the Bendigo Easter Festival. A permanent reminder of the town’s rich Chinese history is the Golden Dragon Museum, where you can experience first-hand Chinese arts, history and culture. Housed in the Dai Gum San precinct, which also features the Yi Yuan Gardens and Kuan Yin Temple; home of the Goddess of Compassion, Golden Dragon Museum is a must see.
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The Groove Tram
Alexandra Fountain
Bendigo’s trams have been entwined with the town’s identity since 1890 and are a must for all itineraries to take a tour around the town. But our pick is The Groove Tram. Get acquainted with Bendigo’s finest musicians whilst rolling through the streets. Even better, the tram is a bar, ready to have drinks flowing for visitors.
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Rosalind Park
Corner View Street and Pall Mall
60 acres of grassy open spaces, lush leafy trees, a fabulous playground, ornate statues, an historic conservatory, a fernery and beautiful old gardens to explore, located on the edge of the Bendigo CBD – Rosalind Park is a pristine public space full of fascinating features. Be sure to also check out the Poppet Head lookout tower whilst there.
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Street Art Tour
Bendigo is not only a stunning city architecturally, the streetscape is taken up a notch with its vibrant street art. Take yourself on a self-guide art walk through funky laneways decorated in beautiful murals and commissioned street displays. The Bendigo Region website has a self-guided tour map for those keen to go on an art walk.
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Central Deborah Gold Mine
76 Violet St
Get deep into Bendigo’s mining history at Central Deborah Gold Mine, quite literally as you descend to the depths of Bendigo’s underworld during this history-telling experience. Take a 75 minute mine-tour into Central Deborah, one of over 5,500 registered gold mines on the famous Bendigo goldfields, actively operated from 1939 -1954. This mine successfully extracted 929kg of gold, and you can see what it was like.
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Bendigo is brimming with bold art, historic and heritage heroes, and a godly gastronomy scene – the perfect storm for a weekend stay.
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