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.
Aboriginal people have lived in this part of Australia known as Victoria for over 60,000 years. The Aboriginal clans who occupied this land land prior to European settlement were the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung People. Today their stories are shared through performances and public art installations, and the city pays homage to their language through the naming of significant places.
Together we can connect and learn more about our First Peoples at these special places and experiences.
Meaning ‘gather together’ in the language of the local Dja Dja Wurrung People, Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre rises majestically from what was once the 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.
The Dja Dja Wurrung Talking Tram tells the story of Bendigo’s First Peoples and features artwork inside and out by Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta and Jaru artist Natasha Carter. Take a ride on the tram through the city centre and learn about the story of our First Peoples.
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 regions and deepen your understanding of the Dja Dja Wurrung landscape.
The Ulumbarra CBD Walking Tour will step into the city's past, present, and future, and explore the living culture of the Dja Dja Wurrung people. 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, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of our unique history and unbreakable bond of community.
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.
The Acknowledgement of Country Shadow Sculpture is a spectacular beacon of light representing our First Peoples. The steel artwork illuminates the words from the Acknowledgement of Country. Artist and Traditional Owner Racquel Kerr's Bunjil design spreads its wings across the rivers and country, casting light into the darkness of the night. The sculpture is located at Dudley House on View Street and lights up every night from 6pm.
Bendigo’s newest art gallery, Djaa Djuwima, is a dedicated and permanent First Nations Gallery located in the Old Post Office Building on Pall Mall. 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.
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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.
