Those Summer Vibes In Bendigo

Quench Your Thirst

There are some uber cool spots to hang out and enjoy a refreshing drink.  Passionate bartenders, makers and brewers will keep you satisfied with a great range of local wines, craft beer and ciders to choose from, plus beautifully handcrafted cocktails and signature drinks.  Top gathering spots for a drink during summer include Handle Bar, Ms Batterhams, Nimbus Rooftop Bar, The Dispensary Bar & Diner, and The Rifle Brigade.

If you’re a wine lover at heart, Bendigo and Heathcote are home to more than 55 boutique wineries. Or for those that prefer a crafty ale, check out our breweries Cornella Brewery, Palling Bros. Brewery and Tooborac Hotel & Brewery. Another favourite is The Hop Supply Co. who have got you covered with an awesome range of specialty drinks to take home and enjoy!

Make A Splash!

If you’re looking to cool off in the water, Lake Eppalock is sure to keep you busy for a day session of swimming, fishing, boating, paddling or for those looking to a little more action, jet skiing.  

If you’re looking for something a little calmer, check out Bendigo’s newest pool at Kangaroo Flat’s Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre, fully equipped with a 50m swimming pool, splash park, gym, spa and café.

Or be sure to check out the Long Gully Splash Park. It's a free, zero depth water splash park with a dry play area. Kids can enjoy the ‘gold rush’ themed park with shaded seating, BBQs and extra all season play areas. Perfect for warmer days!

Get Creative

This one is for the whole family. Throw on an art smock, BYO some drinks and nibbles and get on down to Pinot & Picasso Bendigo. 

During the summer holiday period they have a great range of family sessions where adults and kids can join in the fun together, painting alongside one-another and kids sessions only so the adults can get some r&r time. Choose from a sloth to a butterfly, a unicorn or a t-rex!

Cool Treats

Is there anything more refreshing and satisfying in summer than an ice cold gelato?! Our mouths are watering just thinking about!

Keep cool and swing by Ms Batterhams to find the MQ Gelato Bar, Bendigo's first pop up Gelato Bar serving authentic handmade gelato. They regularly pop up every Friday and Sunday from 2pm - 5pm.

Venture to Lake Weeroona and find Favourite Flavours. Choose from traditional flavours and crowd favourites, to locally-inspired flavours and fresh fruity gelato. Yum! 

Live Music In Cool Spots

If you’re like us, we’ve missed our live music, but it's back!

Get out this summer and check out some awesome gigs in some of the city’s best spaces. Local favourites include Chancery Lane, Handle Bar, Palling Bros. Brewery, The Rifle Brigade, and The Shiraz Republic.

If you're looking for live music between Christmas and New Year, look no further than The Shiraz Republic for their 5 Day Weekend kicking off on Monday 27th December and finishing on Friday 31st, enjoy back-to-back days of awesome artists playing rocking tunes at the cellar door.

Summer In The Parks

It’s one of Bendigo’s favourite family-friendly events, Summer in the Parks is back with a program full of free or low-cost events and activities throughout December, January and February.

The program kick starts with Christmas and New Year celebrations, and continues throughout summer with open air cinemas, live music, Australia Day celebrations, and more.

Indoor Fun

Get some relief from the heat and head indoors. Bendigo has plenty of indoor attractions and activities for all ages, stages, interests and abilities on offer.  

Some of our top picks include Bendigo Pottery, Breakout Bendigo Escape Games, Discovery Science & Technology Centre, Golden Dragon Museum, and The Zone.

Chill Out & Relax

Don't forget to take some time out to chill out, relax and find some calm amongst the chaos. One of our favourites is Flow Retreat. They offer float therapy, mindfulness and sensory immersive experiences to put your body, mind and spirit into a state of calm or flow.

Choose between Flow’s Tranquility Pod, for a cosy womb-like float experience, or their Large Cabin Pool for a luxurious room height starlit ceiling. Alternatively, the Sensory Recliners are induce a relaxation state, reduce stress and relieve pain.

Dino-Mania At Discovery Centre

Dinosaur lovers, join the Discovery team these school holidays and get hands-on with an array of Dino-mite activities that immerse you in learning about prehistoric times.

Find out about how dinosaurs lived and why they went extinct! Enjoy...

Dino Science Show: Put on your explorer hats and join in the practice of paleontology. Get ready for amazing and surprising dinosaur facts – new and old – in this science show! Featuring exciting demonstrations, and audience participation.

Planetarium: Head off on an astronomical adventure! The Planetarium is all about looking back to the past.

Paleo Dig Hands-on Activity: Dig in and unearth an array of fossils and clues to prehistoric life. Investigate your finds to discover what Dino they might have come from. Add your findings to the collection!

To Tricera–top it off the Discovery Vertical Slide will be open three times a day to let you experience gravity in a way you may never have before!