Family Fun in Bendigo: Top School Holiday Activities for July 2026

The winter school holidays are here, and Bendigo families are on the lookout for activities that don’t break the bank or require hours behind the wheel. With the mercury dipping into single digits most mornings, finding indoor and sheltered options is key. Luckily, the city’s cultural venues and parks have delivered a solid lineup for July 2026.

Museums, Making, and Moving

The Bendigo Art Gallery is running its annual ‘Winter Art School’ program from July 14 to 24, offering daily drop-in sessions for kids aged 5 to 12. Sessions cost $15 per child and run from 10am to noon, with materials included. The gallery’s education team has designed activities around the current ‘Love & Devotion’ exhibition, letting children create their own mixed-media portraits.

At the Discovery Science and Technology Centre on Railway Place, the ‘Winter Wonders’ program features live chemistry shows at 11am and 2pm each weekday. General admission is $16 for adults and $12 for kids, with a family pass (two adults and two children) available for $48. The centre has introduced a new ‘Marshmallow Engineering’ workshop on July 16 and 23, where children aged 8 and up can build and test miniature towers made from marshmallows and pasta.

For families with toddlers, the Bendigo Library on Hargreaves Street holds its ‘Rhyme Time’ sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am, free of charge. The library has also partnered with the city’s Living Libraries program to offer ‘Nature Story Walks’ at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, with self-guided trails available until July 27. Pick up a map from the library entry.

Outdoor Escapes and Evening Magic

The Bendigo Botanic Gardens in White Hills is worth braving the cold for. The children’s playground near the Conservatory has had a refresh, with new climbing structures and a giant sandpit. The gardens’ café, the Potting Shed, offers hot chocolates with marshmallows for $4.50, and the undercover picnic tables near the fernery are first come, first served.

Come evening, the Bendigo Town Hall on Pall Mall is screening ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ on Thursday July 17 as part of its free Family Film Nights. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the movie starting at 6pm. Popcorn and soft drinks are sold at the bar for $3 each, and the hall’s heating means you won’t need to sit in a coat.

The Bendigo Tramways are running their ‘Heritage Tram Tours’ every weekend until July 26, with a special family ticket offering unlimited rides on the day for $30. The trams depart from the Central Deborah Gold Mine at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm, and last about 50 minutes. The guides share stories about Bendigo’s gold rush history, which keeps even the older kids engaged.

For a more energetic outing, the Bendigo Stadium’s ‘Active Kids’ program on Monday July 20 features a jumping castle, obstacle course, and basketball games from 10am to 1pm. Entry is $10 per child, and parents get in free.

If wet weather cancels outdoor plans, the Bendigo Cinemas on Mundy Street are running their ‘School Holiday Matinees’ daily at 11am, with tickets at a flat $12. The program includes family-friendly titles like ‘Inside Out 2’ and a new animated film called ‘Skyward.’

The school holidays run until July 27, so there’s still time to plan a few outings. Most programs require booking online a day ahead to guarantee a spot, particularly the workshops and tram tours, which have capped numbers. Check the individual venue websites or call ahead to confirm availability, as session times can change.