Cathedral to Crusoe Path

Sacred Heart Cathedral is one of Australia's largest churches and the second tallest after St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. 

It is an exceptionally large church for a provincial city cathedral in Australia and its construction was made possible chiefly through the estate of Henry Backhaus - 1811-1882, a German from Paderborn and the first Catholic priest on the Bendigo goldfields. 

Backhaus was very skilled in financial matters and accumulated considerable property - not least through encouraging his gold-mining parishioners to contribute some of their findings to the work of the church. Backhaus left his wealth for the benefit of the church and enabled the cathedral, among other things, to be built.

Sacred Heart Cathedral is now the principal Church of the Diocese of Sandhurst and the home Church of the Cathedral Parish serving the people of central and north west parts of the city of Bendigo and many visitors to the church and the city.

For an unforgettable experience, descend to the depths of Bendigo's underworld at Central Deborah Gold Mine and discover the significance of Bendigo's gold mining history.

When gold was first discovered in Bendigo in 1851 it sparked decades of gold mining worth billions of dollars. Central Deborah Gold Mine was one of the last two commercial mines to cease operation in the wealthy Bendigo goldfields, operating for just 15 years between 1939 and 1954. Although a relatively short time frame, during this period the mine produced 29,865 ounces (929kg) of gold. Today, Central Deborah Gold Mine shares its rich history with visitors.

Plumes Emporium is a trove of local products, antiques and secondhand books, and the perfect place to shop for unique and quirky finds.

Cooinda Park Playspace is popular for its multiple slide hill and extensive play equipment. The park is equipped with BBQ and picnic facilities available for community use.  The playground equipment cannot be booked, but the surrounds of the park can be reserved for events and activities.

Located at the entrance to Bendigo in Kangaroo Flat, Gateway Park welcomes visitors and locals alike. Talk a leisurely walk around the lake, have a barbecue or a picnic or just enjoy the local flora and fauna. It's a great place to have a rest break for travelers too.

There's public toilets and picnic tables at this park as well as the Gateway Park BMX Jumps and Gateway Park Function Centre. 

The Bendigo Creek meanders through the park and helps to create the unique natural character of the area. Located right next to the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre, Gateway Park is a wonderful outdoor green space to explore.

Crusoe reservoir provides great opportunities for water activities such as swimming, fishing, non-powered boating with plenty of flora and fauna to discover. Seating and picnic facilities, ideal for all family and social outings, are found throughout the park.

The Number 7 Park is a very important part of Bendigo’s gold mining history. The cleverly designed reservoir and water purification system was the first of its kind in Australia in suppyling treated drinking water to Bendigo’s gold miners of the 1860s. The settling ponds, the basin and channel system can still be seen today as you journey around an interpretive walk surrounded by Box Ironbark forest.