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.
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.
For tens of thousands of years, this land has been home to the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Barapa Barapa Peoples. Today, their stories continue to be celebrated through events, performances, tours and public art, and the city pays homage to their language through the naming of significant places.
We invite you to connect, learn and deepen your understanding of our First Peoples through these meaningful places and experiences.
Meaning ‘gather together’ in the language of the local Dja Dja Wurrung People, Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre is a striking venue built within the historic Sandhurst Gaol. Visit and take in a performance by national and international performing artists, join a guided tour or hold your own event.
View the mural of young Dja Dja Wurrung woman Akira Kelly, by renowned artist Adnate, on loan from DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) and is displayed in the Hon. Howard Nathan Foyer at Ulumbarra Theatre.
Three ancient Dja Dja Wurrung Scarred Trees have been installed and can be viewed at the front entrance of Ulumbarra Theatre, showing tangible links to the Ancestors of this land.
Explore the rich history and culture of our First Nations people with an immersive walking tour. Join knowledgeable Djaara guides and delve into Djandak (Country). Discover the significance of our region and deepen your understanding of the Dja Dja Wurrung landscape. Choose from...
Ulumbarra CBD Walking Tour: step into the city's past, present, and future. You'll witness the commitment to preserving cultural heritage, surrounding significant sites, and the inspiring collaboration between the State Government and local First Nation communities.
Kooyoora Walking Tour: discover the rich history and natural wonders of the 'Mountain of Light.' It will begin with a traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and journey through lush landscapes and magnificent formations.
Larni Garingilang Walking Tour: walk alongside Traditional Owners through the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, a significant cultural landscape rich in native plants.
Djaara Lights is located along Oscars Walk, neighbouring Bendigo Creek and Bendigo’s Telstra Exchange Building. Each night you can explore the spectacular display featuring neon artworks, street art and augmented reality telling the stories of the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta men, Drew Berick and Troy Firebrace, are the leading artists of this culturally significant art project. Discover the 9.6m illuminated mural I am Djaara, admire mural The Cultural Flower a symbol of healing and coming together as a community, and use your mobile phone to view artworks along Bendigo Creek via an augmented reality app.
View Acknowledgement of Country Shadow Sculptures at Bendigo's Dudley House by Traditional Owner Racquel Kerr, illuminating Bunjil's wings across the rivers and country, casting light into the darkness of the night. A second sculpture at Heathcote's Barrack Reserve by Taungurung artist Isobel Morphy Walsh, inspired by the crow's eye view of Mount Camel and surrounding ranges. Both sculptures light up nightly from 6pm.
Be sure to check out this incredible collaboration between local First Nations artists, Aimee McCartney and Troy Firebrace, along the O’Keefe Rail Trail at the Axedale Underpass. Together, they have blended colours and patterns that tell a powerful story of connection on the border of Djarra and Taungurung Country along the Campaspe River.
Djaa Djuwima, is a dedicated and permanent First Nations Gallery located in the Old Post Office Building on Pall Mall in the heart of Bendigo. Meaning 'to show, share Country' in Dja Dja Wurrung language, the space will host three curated exhibitions each year exploring identity, heritage, connection and storytelling of our First Nations community that includes Dja Dja Wurrung and First Nations artists from around Australia.
Larni Garingilang means 'home of growth' in the language of the Dja Dja Wurrung People. This beautiful new precinct is located at Bendigo Botanic Gardens, between the existing heritage gardens and the Garden for the Future.
Larni Garingilang has filled a void between the existing gardens and encourages people to connect and interact with the landscape and Bendigo Creek. It features over 15,000 local indigenous plants and 106 trees, many of which were used for tools, food, clothing and medicine by the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
Larni Yirrip is a new cultural campground near Bendigo, offering a place to connect with nature and experience Djaara culture through meaningful, immersive experiences.
The Boort Lakes and Wetlands are a place of exceptional natural and cultural significance. Home to the world's largest collection of scarred trees, offering rare and accessible connection to thousands of years of Indigenous life in the Loddon Valley.
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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.
