Planning a retirement village visit in Greater Bendigo using local information

Greater Bendigo has four retirement villages that provide independent living for people aged 55 and over.

Reviewing the local ageing strategy first

The City of Greater Bendigo implemented the Positive Ageing Action Plan 2023-2025 to support seniors. The 2021 Census recorded 31,827 residents over 60 years old, representing 26 per cent of the population. This plan and the census figure give context for anyone arranging visits, as they outline council support for older residents across the area.

Listing the four villages by suburb

Golden Rise Bendigo sits in Golden Square. Bendigo Retirement Village is located in Spring Gully. VincentCare Independent Living Units operate in Kennington. Uniting AgeWell White Hills Haven is found in White Hills. Each site offers strata-titled units or villa units with private gardens, plus resort-style amenities such as gyms, dining rooms and landscaped grounds. These named locations allow visitors to map a logical sequence of inspections within the city.

Checking regulations and costs at specific sites

Living Well at Bendigo operates under the Residential Tenancies Act. It charges no exit fees and requires only 28 days' notice when moving out. Its fees cover rent, hot water, meals from Monday to Friday and access to communal facilities. Prospective visitors can request these details in advance when contacting any of the four villages.

Seniors can also access government-funded activities through My Aged Care. The Fitness for Older Adults Program runs at Bendigo Health, while Active Living Programs are available at Bendigo Community Health Services. These programs give another reason to combine a village visit with an activity session on the same day.

Begin by consulting the Positive Ageing Action Plan and the listed village addresses. Contact each site to confirm opening hours and inspection arrangements. Use My Aged Care to book a program session that aligns with the visit schedule. This sequence keeps planning grounded in the documented local resources.