From Wikitravel

Bendigo [1] is a large regional city in Victoria, Australia, population 100,000 (making it the 3rd largest settlement in the state). Bendigo is located some 140 km (105 miles, 1.5 hrs drive) north-north-west of Melbourne.

It is beautiful city with grand Victorian architecture, not generally seen in country Australia, as a result of the Gold Rush.

[edit] Understand

Bendigo[2] grew to a bustling town during the Gold Rush Era of the 1850s. The wealth created during this period resulted many fine Victorian era buildings in the down town and surrounding areas. This type of architecture is not common to most country towns in Australia.

An influx of people from the city has brought the population of Bendigo to just over 100,000 as as 6 July 2008. Even so it still retains a good friendly country atmosphere.

The climate is very kind and the town has more sunny days per year than Queensland. Being north of the Great Dividing Range, it has also far less rain than Melbourne. Summers are hot and dry, up to 40 degrees Celsius or more on some days. Winters tend to be mild; with lowest temperatures around -5 degrees Celsius during the night or 14 during days.

Sheep, cattle, fruit, wine and cereal crops are the most common products of the area. Gold is being discovered again in large quantities at deeper levels in the old mines with new technology and promises a wealthy future.

A large Chinese community established itself during the early days of the gold rush and still play a large role in local ceremonies.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Bendigo is served by frequent trains which run from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station (known as Spencer Street Station until December 2005) into the heart of Bendigo. The journey takes approximately two hours.

[edit] By car

Bendigo is approximately 1.5 hr drive north of Melbourne on the (mostly) dual carriage way Calder Highway.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• The tourist information centre is housed in the old post office building on Pall Mall (the main through road) - opposite the Shamrock Hotel
• The Easter fair procession, which is the oldest continual festival in Victoria. The imperial dragon called Sun Loong takes pride of place each year at the festival needing over 50 strong members of the public to carry it.
• There is a Chinese Museum which has tours and one of the original Joss houses is open to the public. You can get to this by taking the Tourist Talking Tram Tour from the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which is close to the city centre.
• National curling titles held in late July 2007.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Visit the wineries [3]. Bendigo is the centre of a thriving wine area - a number of nearby wineries are well worth the visit. Bendigo Shiraz is generally very full flavoured and big.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Pottery from The Bendigo Pottery.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Clogs - a famous local restaurant on Pall Mall in Bendigo. It has a wide selection of Pizza / Pasta and other dishes (modern Australian)

• Bazani's - Another very nice restaurant

• Bull St - There are many casual restaurants in this small street of Bendigo.

• Malayan Orchid - an excellent restaurant specialising in Asian cuisine.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Bendigo Shiraz - some good Bendigo wineries are: Chateau Leamon, Waterwheel, Balgownie, Mandurang Valley, Harcourt, Blackjack, Connor Park. Many other small wineries are in the district.

• The Rifle Brigade Brewery - located on picturesque View St Bendigo. This local micro brewery pumps out some very nice beers and meals too.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

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