HOT: Discovery Science and Technology Centre, Bendigo

Discovery Science and Technology Centre is a not-for-profit, community-based attraction based in one of Bendigo's old brick red railway goods sheds.

The space is a low-fi affair and the hands-on exhibits are of the sort that I remember from my childhood spent in museums. There's no computer/touch screen whizz-bang interactiveness to be found but the kids will still have fun, guaranteed. You could even argue that the offline entertainment is much more educational and interesting.

You can bang on a thongaphone, sit on a turning chair and daring over 5s can go on the Vertical Slide which is seven metres high; the tallest in the southern hemisphere!

Discovery has a special area called Kaleidoscope especially for children 8 and under. It's a gated area called with gentler games and exhibits.

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Entry to Discovery also includes the planetarium, which is literally a dark room with a ceiling projector where you sit on bean bags, so it's very relaxed if you have very little kids who want to talk, walk around or leave early. Every day there are planetarium shows (1:30pm or 11:30am and 1:30pm on weekends) and planetarium shows have a new theme each school holiday period.

Entry is $12.50 for adults and $9.50 for children (under 5s free). Happily, Melbourne Museum members receive reciprocal free entry and all shows and activities (including the planetarium) are included in Discovery‘s general admission price. Also, all entry fees directly supports Discovery's exhibits and educational programs.