Bendigo Lifestyle Shifts With Business Growth and New Facilities Amid Market Changes

Bendigo's property market has recorded home prices reaching new highs in regional Victoria towns outside Melbourne, while a major $55 million community lifestyle village recently gained development approval.

Business and Tourism Growth

Small and micro-businesses in Bendigo have recorded a steady 2.3% uplift over the last two years, with pockets such as Strathfieldsaye and Maiden Gully showing up to 32% growth in startup numbers. SMEs make up over 95% of registered businesses in the City of Greater Bendigo, concentrated in hospitality, construction, professional services and retail. Bendigo Guided Tours won Gold for Best New Business at the 2025 Victorian Tourism Awards and is shortlisted for three categories at the 2026 Australian Tourism Awards. The Victorian Government's Small Business Bus is scheduled to arrive in Bendigo later in July 2026 to provide free advice.

Sports and Community Facilities

Bendigo Stadium is undergoing upgrades funded by the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, including two new courts, refurbishment of courts 9 and 10, and 200 lux lighting for outdoor netball courts, with works finishing in late 2026. The $25.9 million Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct at Catherine McAuley College has opened with junior ovals, a senior oval with lights, outdoor netball courts, an indoor two-court stadium and a cricket training hub. La Trobe University's new Bendigo Sports Centre has opened offering indoor and outdoor courts for netball, basketball, volleyball and badminton plus a gym, oval and group fitness studio.

Market Context and Lifestyle Setting

Bendigo's median house price stood at approximately $600,000 in Q2 2025, with annual price growth of 6.2% for houses and 14.5% for units. Total house sales surged 48.6% in Q2 2025 to 382 sales. The area retains its gold rush history, stunning architecture and peaceful country lifestyle even as visible homelessness, youth on e-bikes and issues with crime and drugs appear in places such as Long Gully, alongside hundreds of people without homes and sharply rising homelessness linked to rent increases, mental health struggles and addiction. Bendigo experienced population growth of 20,135 people at a 2.22% annual change in the last year.

The Small Business Bus visit and stadium completion later in 2026 will provide further support for local enterprises and recreation options.