Playgrounds and Play Centres

Bendigo takes playtime seriously, so much so that the city has invested millions into a host of one-off, custom-designed playgrounds that pay homage to literature, culture and endless family fun.

The whimsical Bendigo Botanic Gardens playground was inspired by Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. Little ones can play kings and queens on the throne chairs, croquet on the rolly-polly lawn and mad hatters on the mushroom furniture. There’s a secret garden and hidden mirror for extra fun.

Lake Weeroona’s adventure playground is a favourite of all ages and out in nearby Eaglehawk the region’s biggest play space is soon to be unveiled. It pays homage to Banjo Patterson’s character Mulga Bill of Eaglehawk and features equipment for tots right up to teens by the shore of Lake Neangar.

The Hargreaves Mall boasts Fun Loong, a Bendigo dragon for kids to climb on, and in Long Gully there’s a splash park popular for free summertime fun.

Just half an hour from Bendigo in Heathcote even the kids can get in on the grape-loving fun. The town’s playground was inspired by wine culture. A giant barrel takes centre stage, for kids to climb in and explore.

But that’s just the tip of the our picks – there are more than 100 playgrounds to explore, click here to see all the playground, parks and waterways . And even more fun to be found in the indoor centres, such as The Zone and Park’s Wonderland.