Bendigo is a former Gold Rush town in Central Victoria and one of our regular regional destinations with the kids. The city offers grand Victorian buildings, lovely streetscapes and a slower pace of life, while still boasting interesting cultural and culinary attractions. It’s just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne or 90-120 minutes via V/Line from Southern Cross Station.
Here are my tips on things to do in Bendigo with kids, including where to stay, visit, play and eat.
Things to do Bendigo with Kids
1. Bendigo Art Gallery
Bendigo Art Gallery is Australia’s largest regional gallery and in the past few years it has hosted some world-class exhibitions.
Open daily, the gallery hosts an extensive collection and if you go with kids (under 5s are free) be sure to stop at the kid-friendly Gallery Cafe.
Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View St, Bendigo (03) 5434 6088
2. Golden Dragon Museum
The Golden Dragon Museum bills itself as the ‘Chinese Cultural Centre of Australia’ and your $16 entry (Children 5-16 $10) includes entry into the museum displays, the Chinese gardens and the Kuan Yin Temple.
As a first-generation Chinese immigrant I find it fascinating to learn about the historical significance of Chinese people in Australia. It charts the origins of the majority of the Chinese miners who came for the gold rush in the 1850s with artefacts, furniture and everyday goods and follows their assimilation into Anglo Australian society and their contributions to the communities of Bendigo and Victoria.
On a balcony surrounding the circular central gallery is a collection of the Chinese Dragons and their associated regalia used in the Bendigo’s annual Easter procession.
Golden Dragon Museum 1-11 Bridge St, Bendigo (03) 5441 5044
3. Bendigo Easter Festival
The Bendigo Easter Festival is an annual event that offers lots of free/low-cost entertainment for families when the weather is generally mild. The whole city comes alive with parades and festivities!
4. Discovery Science and Technology Centre
Bendigo’s version of Questacon or Scienceworks is a cheap day out, even as a day trip from Melbourne as the VLine station is across the road.
Take your Museums Victoria membership card to get free entry into the Discovery Science Centre and enjoy over 100 interactive exhibits. Read my review.
Discovery Science and Technology Centre, 7 Railway Pl, Bendigo, (03) 5444 4400
5. Camp Hill playground
Inside Bendigo’s huge central park, Rosalind Park, you’ll find a nice fenced playground with lots of ramps and walkways, slides, climbing sculptures and rocks and mounds for more climbing. There are water taps inside the fence and Rosalind Park has public toilets.
Note that because it is the playground for Camp Hill school it is only open to the public outside of school hours.
Camp Hill playground, Rosalind Park, 50 Goal Rd, Bendigo
6. Eaglehawk Playspace
A huge playground in suburban Eaglehawk inspired by the A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s poem ‘Mulga Bill’s Bicycle’ and the shape of the eaglehawk, or wedge-tailed eagle.
You’ll see references to Mulga Bill in the artworks, play equipment and lines from the poem etched into logs. The lake even features Mulga Bill’s untimely end! Read my review.
Eaglehawk Playspace, Napier St, Eaglehawk
7. Lake Weeroona Adventure Playground
On the shores of Lake Weeroona is a large fully fenced playground. The main structure features lots of ramps, tunnels, slides, swings and bridges. The ground is all soft fall and there’s a beautiful water play area with fountains and water trails.
The playground has some natural shade and there are shaded and unshaded seats within the fenced area. Outside the fence there are shelters with tables and toilets and a coffee van.
Lake Weeroona Adventure Playground, Napier St, Bendigo
8. Fun Loong playground
OK, I admit it. I just LOVE the name of this playground!
The playground at Hargreaves Street Mall takes its name from Sun Loong, the world’s largest imperial dragon housed in the Golden Dragon Museum and Bendigo’s pride. It’s a really colourful, well-designed and semi-shaded space in a pedestrian mall and a handy stop if you are in the centre of town or doing some shopping.
Fun Loong playground, Hargreaves St Mall, Bendigo
9. Cooinda Park playground
After an arson attack in 2016, this suburban playground has rebuilt its bank of awesome rainbow wave slides. We visited when the slides were not there and while it was fun, it was not really worth a special trip unless you’re in the area.
Cooinda Park playground, Cnr Norma Street and McKenzie Street West, Golden Square
10. Bendigo Botanic Gardens Playspace
Located within the picturesque Botanic Gardens is an Alice in Wonderland-inspired playground. Children will love the hidden play opportunities dotting throughout the play area. There are picnic tables, BBQs, public toilets and a cafe nearby.
Bendigo Botanic Gardens Playspace, 559 Napier Street, White Hills
Find Hotels and Airbnbs in Bendigo
11. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
In the middle of the bush is an unlikely sight – The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. It is a sacred Buddhist monument and is modelled on the Great Stupa of Gyantse, which is 600 years old. When it is finished it will be the highest stupa in the Western World.
You don’t have to be Buddhist to visit, just be respectful.
The Peace Park showcases symbols from many faiths including Catholic, Sikh, Islam and Hindu.
It is free to enter and there is a self-guided tour. The Stupaview Cafe serves cheap vegetarian food with vegan options.
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat, Bendigo
12. Bendigo Tramways
The iconic vintage talking trams are a great way for families to experience the sights of Bendigo! Your all-day ticket allows you to hop on and off at various landmarks while learning all about the cities history and culture.
Bendigo Tramways, 76 Voilet Street, Bendigo, (03) 5442 2821
13. Bendigo Pottery
For over 150 years Bendigo Pottery has creating high-quality ceramics and it is the oldest working pottery in Australia. There you’ll find a shop and cafe, demonstrations of hand throwing by potters and hands-on activities, particularly during school holidays.
Bendigo Pottery, 146 Midland Hwy, Epsom, (03) 5448 4404
14. Central Deborah Gold Mine
Explore the hidden underground tunnels of a real gold mine that operated during the gold rush boom of the 1900s. It’s one of Bendigo’s biggest tourist attractions but we’re yet to go as the kids are still freaked out by dark enclosed spaces!
Central Deborah Gold Mine, 76 Violet St, Bendigo, (03) 5443 8322
15. Park Lane Play
Park Lane Play is an indoor play centre in Bendigo, suitable for kids 3 – 14 years, with a toddler area for kids under 4. They’ve also got a jumping pillow outside, and BBQ facilities.
The multi level indoor play structure includes 5 slides, a soft ball cannon play zone, two trampolines, a large ball pit, a flying fox and more.
Park Lane Play, 761 McIvor Hwy, Bendigo, (03) 5449 3335
16. Bendigo Cinemas
There are 6 theatres at Bendigo Cinemas, showing the latest releases. There is a range of special deals and screenings on offer (varying from time to time) including a Movie of the Week for $10, discounted kids movies and an everyday low price. They also have Sensory Friendly Films with the lights turned up and the sound turned down.
Bendigo Cinemas, 107 Queen St, Bendigo, (03) 5440 8000
Where to shop in Bendigo
17. Book Now
Book Now holds the mystique of old dusty tomes waiting to be discovered with the grandeur of a two-levelled Bodleian-esque library. We visit every time we visit Bendigo.
Books are sorted by category (with seating in nooks and crannies between shelves) with highlights including the non-fiction literature and antiquarian collections. It’s got a small collection of children’s books in the back corner but predominantly it’s a shop better for adult readers.
Book Now, 1 Farmers Lane, Bendigo (03) 5443 8587
18. Beechworth Bakery Bendigo
Pick up a freshly baked treat at Beechworth Bakery Bendigo in the heart of the city, with a friendly and lively atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating that’s dog-friendly too.
Beechworth Bakery Bendigo, 158 High St, Bendigo 1300 233 784
19. Bendigo Farmers Market
Every second Saturday of the month Bendigo holds a Farmers Market from 9-1pm at the Rosalind Park end of Williamson St. The market sells fresh, regional and seasonal produce.
Bendigo Farmers Market Williamson St, Bendigo
Where to eat in Bendigo with Kids
20. Percy and Percy
Percy and Percy is a former grocer turned delightful neighbourhood cafe. The café has a small main dining room, a secluded private room and outdoor courtyard.
The menu is comfort food done with an imaginative twist and there’s a small children’s menu.
Percy and Percy Cnr Hargreaves & Baxter Sts, Bendigo, (03) 5442 2997
21. Brewhouse
This specialist coffee roastery and cafe has a fit out lifted right out of the laneways of Melbourne and is a buzzing place on weekends with families and hipsters alike.
For families there’s plenty of pram space, a stack of high chairs, a kids menu and even a separate play space! (Note: the play space is currently closed for maintenance)
Brewhouse Coffee Roasters 402 Hargreaves St, Bendigo, (03) 5442 8224
22. Edwards Providore
Edwards Providore is slightly out of town but this produce store and café wouldn’t be amiss in the affluent leafy suburbs of Melbourne.
Everything on the menu in the café is made from the fresh foods that they sell. They also have produce and meals to take home for sale.
Edwards Providore, 150 Condon St, Kennington, (03) 5444 2244
23. Chancery Lane
Chancery Lane off Pall Mall is Bendigo’s laneway of food and art in the CBD, with the bustling wine bar The Dispensary and the Spanish-inspired El Gordo cafe. Being small, narrow restaurants they are not particularly child/pram friendly in terms of facilities but kids are welcome – our kids have both visited these restaurants.
Reader recommendations:
- Bendigo Corner Store Café 305 View Street (03) 5442 2008 – organic coffee and free range produce with a backyard for the children to play in. The store portion of the café sells milk, bread and newspapers plus other convenience items.
- Bendigo Wholefoods – 314 Lyttleton Terrace (03) 5443 9492 – Community food store with locally grown and made products and adjoining cafe.
- Old Green Bean 179 Lyttleton Tce, Bendigo (03) 5444 3173 – vintage store, coffee roastery and cafe.
Where to stay in Bendigo with kids
I look for accommodation on the Bendigo Tourism site and Airbnb.
24. All Seasons Hotel Bendigo
The All Seasons Bistro is inside the All Seasons Hotel, and it has a kids play area. There’s games consoles and a toddler area. There are also plenty of meal options, including a snacks menu.
All Seasons Bistro, All Seasons Hotel, 171-183 McIvor Hwy, Bendigo, (03) 5443 8166
25. Big4 Bendigo Park Lane
BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park is located about 15 minutes drive from Bendigo CBD, near Junorton. Like all Big4 caravan parks it is supremely family friendly, with a pool, jumping pillow, pedal go-karts and Bendigo’s biggest indoor playground Parky’s Wonderland!
BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park, 761 McIvor Highway, Junortoun Bendigo
For more accommodation options in Bendigo, I recommend checking out what’s available on Airbnb.
Visit Ballarat? Here’s the best things to do in Ballarat with kids!
Free water play in Melbourne & Regional Victoria
Tips for heading on a family road trip
This post contains affiliate links. If you book using the links there is no extra cost to you and I earn a small commission that helps me to provide free, valuable and useful information for you! Thanks Joyce
The post 25 Best Things to Do in Bendigo with Kids appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT
