Bendigo is a vibrant contemporary regional centre, boasting beautiful streets created from one of the world’s greatest gold rushes. Every visit will reveal new surprises and experiences.
Castlemaine boasts a remarkable community of artists, writers, actors and designers, who offer a host of galleries, theatres, festivals, bookshops and boutiques. It’s a theme that runs through nearby Maldon, Newstead and Harcourt.
Rich in history and opportunity... today’s visitors come to Maryborough and the surrounding villages for many reasons. Many come to wander through the lovely box-ironbark forests with their wildflowers, birds and superb display of Wattle in the spring. Others come to research family history and discover a connection to the Victorian gold rush, or to visit nearby wineries or explore markets, galleries and museums.
Take a deep breath… and travel along the meandering roads of the Loddon Valley. They start at untouched historic villages, weave their way up to spectacular views on granite strewn hilltops, through ancient forests, and then alongside wide flowing rivers and vast wetlands.
One of Australia's oldest and largest regional galleries presenting innovative exhibitions alongside a dynamic and varied suite of public programs and events. Our collection is extensive, with an emphasis on 19th century European art and Australian art from the 1800's, alongside a strong collection of contemporary Australian art.
Bendigo Venues and Events nurtures, develops, presents and celebrates performing arts and culture for Bendigo and central Victorian communities.
Welcome to Bendigo! You can now explore Bendigo at a whole new level, because we're going virtual. That's right, you can get access to some of Bendigo's favourite attractions, workshops, tutorials, buildings and more as we explore Bendigo in a virtual world.
Our evolving list below will be updated as new and exciting experiences become available online. Remember to you can share the same experience with your family and friends from the comfort of your home.
Ever wanted an insider’s view on the magnificent Fortuna Villa? Well here’s your opportunity! Owner, Paul Banks, is taking you on a personal tour of the villa and its beautiful grounds each day on their Facebook page. Find out all the nitty gritty details, secrets and more. You won’t be disappointed.
To join Paul on a tour, click here.
Discovery is going virtual! That’s right, Bendigo's Discovery Science & Technology Centre are sharing their crazy fun science experiments live and free into your homes. Sign up for free and get access to a series of individual events including topics covering gravity, fascinating food science and more. It’s learning disguised as fun!
Virtual Curious Kids (3-5 year olds) every Wednesday at 1.30pm.
Virtual Workshop (6 years and up) every Thursday at 1.30pm.
For more information on upcoming virtual events or to sign up, click here.
The Creative Communities team at Bendigo Venues & Events have created an online exhibition, What I Did Last Week, as a way of sharing work and encouraging art-making. This beautiful exhibition allows local artists to express their feelings, emotions, thoughts and creativity in such a fulfilling way. Each week a new and diverse program will be exhibited. Be sure to check it out for yourself each week and why not get involved and upload something of your own.
Click here to view What I Did Last Week or to find out how to get involved.
Bendigo Venues & Events presents Play At Home. From April 9, you can log on and watch the raw talent of our local artists uncut from the comfort of their homes. We're talking musicians, comedians, poets, actors, storytellers, dancers and more! We can't wait to see our local talent streaming into our homes! It's a live concert in your home!
To find out more, click here.
Do you have your own olives at home and not sure what to do with them all? Well the team at Bridgeward Grove are offering a Mediterranean Olive Harvest via video online service 'zoom'. Learn how to pick your own olives, take a tour of their beautiful grove, join in on their olive preserving workshop and be able to ask questions as you go. It's running April 22 from 12.30pm.
Intrigued? Want to know more? Bendigo's Golden Dragon Museum invites you to join their Online Book Club. Learn about Bendigo's rich and diverse Chinese history from the last 150 plus years with three beautifully illustrated books delivered straight to your door. Then commencing April 21, from 10am - 11am, over 12 weekly sessions check in on 'zoom' and discuss topics and themes from the books with GDM's Research Officer, Leigh McKinnon.
To find out more and how you can get involved, click here.
Bendigo Art Gallery invites you to discover their latest exhibition 'Bessie Davidson & Sally Smart – Two artists and the Parisian avant-garde' from the comfort of your own home. Watch the comprehensive video walk through or explore the panoramic views within the Gallery's rooms. Don’t miss this beautiful exhibition online now.
To take a tour of Bendigo Art Gallery's Bessie Davidson & Sally Smart exhibitio…
Join the team at Ms Batterhams on Facebook Live every Friday at 5pm for Happy Batty Hour as they work their way through Winnies liquor cabinet and conjure up her favourite cocktail recipes!
PS - Don't forget to dress up with their weekly dress theme to join in on the fun.
Join Happy Batty Hour here.
That's right, you can now take on the Virtual O'Keefe Challenge anytime now until midnight May 3! Just run or walk 5km or more and share it with The O'Keefe Challenge on their Facebook page and celebrate healthy living.
Bendigo Writers Festival is bringing you a diverse range of writers and discussions straight to you at home, via their Facebook page, or if you prefer, at on their YouTube account. Conversations will be about 30 minutes and premiere each Wednesday at 6pm.
eBookmark The Next Conversation Today Here.Subscribe to Bendigo e-newsletter now to receive monthly updates on Bendigo's latest events, stories, packages and online only special offers. If the box below is not working, click here.
The City of Greater Bendigo acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands across Bendigo.
We acknowledge and pay respect to their Elders past present and emerging.
