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28 Best Things to Do in Bendigo with Kids

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.

Bendigo

Things to do Bendigo with Kids

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

Bendigo Easter Festival 2019 14 8

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

Awakening of the Dragon - 1

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!

Bendigo Easter Egg Hunt 2016 - 1

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

Bendigo Discovery Science & Technology Centre

 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

Bendigo Easter Festival Rosalind Park

 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

Eaglehawk Playground Bendigo

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

Lake Weerooma Playground 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

Fun Loong Hargreaves St Mall Playground 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

Cooinda Park Bendigo

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


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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.

Great Stupa Bendigo

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.

Great Stupa Bendigo

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

Great Stupa 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

Book Now Bendigo

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. The Woodhouse

Authentic steakhouse and pizzeria where everything is cooked, roasted, baked or grilled with sustainable redgum wood from Barmah. It’s homely, rustic fare done with panache and no gas! We tried their wood-fired pizzas with a crispy, slightly bready, base, and I highly recommend the stuffed poussin with roasted veg. The dessert platter is also a feast to behold and is really suitable for three to four people, not just two!

The Woodhouse 101 Williamson St, Bendigo, (03) 5443 8671

The Woodhouse Bendigo

21. Percy and Percy

Percy and Percy is a former grocer turned delightful neighbourhood cafe. The café is spacious, with a 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

Percy and Percy Bendigo

22. Cortille Café

Axil Coffee is served from a trailer installed inside Cortille Café, a popular CBD all-day cafe.

The all-day breakfast and lunch menu has a special section just for waffles, so they’re a must-try!

Cortille Café, 322 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo, (03) 5444 3082

Cafe Cortille Bendigo

23. 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!

Brewhouse Coffee Roasters 402 Hargreaves St, Bendigo, (03) 5442 8224

Brewhouse Bendigo

 24. The Good Loaf

Bendigo’s first and only sourdough bakery is housed in an old service station. It is a small space (they can provide a high chair) and as you can imagine the menu is very bread heavy. Highly recommend their polenta bread and semi-sourdough corn bread.

The Good Loaf, 404 Hargreaves St, Bendigo, (03) 5444 2171, and 26 Mercy St, Bendigo, (03) 5444 3130

SONY DSC

25. 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

Edwards Providore Bendigo

26. 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.

27. 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

 Where to stay in Bendigo with kids

I look for accommodation on the Bendigo Tourism site and Airbnb.

28. 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.

 

 

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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

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About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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