BENDIGO, in central Victoria, owes its origins to the gold rushes of the nineteenth century and is a charming and elegant regional city and an ideal place to explore its golden heritage.
The gold rush began in 1851 and mining continues even today with deep mining under the town and environs. Many communities flocked to the area, the Irish, Cornish and Germans but one of the best known and enduring contributions by any community was made by the Chinese.
Chinese heritage is synonymous with Bendigo; today the attractions of the historic Joss House temple, the Golden Dragon Museum, the Classical Chinese Gardens and the Chinese section of the White Hills Cemetery, stand out as their mementoes.
The legacy of the gold-rush is present even today in the heritage listed buildings not only in Bendigo but in nearby Castlemaine and the old-world charm of historic Maldon.
HIGHLIGHTS
· Travel along the Calder Highway from Melbourne
· The hamlet of Woodend - the haunting backdrop of the “Picnic at Hanging Rock”
book and film.
· The tree lined streets of Mount Macedon offer a stunning vista.
· Shop at the antique shops of Kyneton and Castlemaine.
· Visit the historical township of Maldon.
· Bendigo Regional Gallery – home for the collection of fine works by Australian artists
(Sir Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Arthur Boyd)
· Talking tram ride for history of the town.
· Bendigo Pottery.
· Wineries at Harcourt and Bendigo areas.
