Join us for a series of insightful and engaging tours, led by our passionate volunteer guides, as we uncover the stories, artists, and landmarks that have shaped Bendigo’s rich artistic history. Each tour offers a unique perspective to rediscover some of our most iconic artworks.

11am Heritage Highlights: Goodsir & Bunny, modern muses

Step into the captivating worlds of Agnes Goodsir and Rupert Bunny, two trailblazing artists whose lives and works shimmer with elegance, ambition, and creative spirit.

Led by our passionate volunteer guides, this tour uncovers the fascinating parallels between these modern muses – both Australians who found fame in Paris, both celebrated for their unique portrayals of identity, glamour, and the human form. From Bunny’s lush symbolism to Goodsir’s bold portraits, discover how their artistry challenged expectations and left a lasting impression on art history.

Whether you're a long-time admirer or new to their stories, "Heritage Highlights: Goodsir & Bunny" is a fresh and inspiring look at two of Australia’s most intriguing creative forces.

12pm Heritage Highlights: Bendigo’s history in the artworks.

Discover Bendigo’s story told through brushstrokes, ceramic and sculpture. This tour unpacks artworks that hold a connection to local people, places, and culture— celebrating the city’s vibrant heritage  through its artistic reflections.

1pm Heritage Highlights: Bendigo the beneficiary of the intertwining of Gold, Artists, and Architects, who changed a city.

From portraying the growth of a city, to the development of a unique city landscape that sparked cultural growth, see the local artists (and some not so local), that have long played a pivotal role in Bendigo’s story. Meet the creative minds who helped define the city’s visual and cultural identity.

In our talk we will cover:
Artists: Wright, Meadows, Goodsir, Freeman
Architects: Beebe, Vahland, Getzschmann′s Christine Howard & Michael R

2pm Heritage Highlights: Portraits of Power: James Meadows & His Contemporaries

Journey through colonial-era portraits and stories, highlighting key figures who influenced Bendigo’s evolution—featuring the captivating works of James Meadows.
Through the eyes of artist James Meadows, encounter the colonial characters who helped shape Bendigo’s early days. Explore the politics, personalities, and power captured in portraiture during a defining era.

2pm Heritage Highlights: Canvas Connections

Discover the rich tapestry of Bendigo's past through the eyes of the artists who helped shape it.  Learn the interesting stories about some artists and sculptors who had direct connections with Bendigo.  This tour uncovers the impressions of Bendigo's gold rush era, delves into the history of the Bendigo Art Gallery and highlights several artists (Agnus Goodsir, Madge Freeman) and Italian sculptor (Ettore Cadorin) who all have connections with Bendigo's past.