Top 10 family activities to do in Bendigo

Bendigo's family activities combine the gold rush heritage (the underground mine, the tram, the pottery) with the art gallery, the discovery centre, and the surrounding Box-Ironbark forest to create a Victorian goldfields family destination that is among the richest in regional Australia.

Central Deborah Gold Mine — the 228-metre deep underground mine on View Street provides the mine tour (helmets, headlamps, genuine old mine workings), the panning for gold, and the Mine Experience show that make it the most authentically subterranean family heritage experience in Victoria. The underground tour suits children aged 5 and above.

Bendigo Tramways — the heritage tram network provides the talking tram city tour (audio commentary on Bendigo's gold rush heritage as the tram traverses the historic streetscape) and the vintage rolling stock that create a city orientation experience appropriate for families on their first Bendigo visit.

Bendigo Pottery — the working pottery at Epsom (Australia's oldest, established 1858) provides the wheel throwing demonstrations, the kiln firing, and the museum of Australian pottery history that create an accessible heritage craft experience for all ages. Children can hand-paint their own pot for firing and posting home.

Bendigo Art Gallery — the regional gallery adjacent to Rosalind Park holds one of the most significant Victorian-era painting collections outside Melbourne and stages major touring exhibitions that create a quality cultural family experience that Bendigo's size alone would not ordinarily support.

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