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.
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Visit RegionA journey on the historic Victorian Goldfields Railway is an iconic experience that places you in the much-loved township of Maldon. Maldon's significant history is safeguarded by the National Trust, meaning that visitors can literally see Maldon's past through the ghost signs on the walls, the streetscape facades that retain their grandeur, and the many gold-mining relics around the outskirts of town. Maldon these days is eclectic and vibrant, with a contemporary offering of designer wares, art, and local produce that perfectly balances the new with the old. During your 2.5 hour whistle stop on a Sunday afternoon, you'll have time to explore the sights located within walking distance of the railway station around Main street and High street.
We're certain that this charming, friendly and nostalgic place will provide an enjoyable stopover and may even lure you back for a longer stay to explore further afield. We've provided a list of things that are currently open as well as some tempting suggestions for things to see and do when you next return to Maldon for that longer stay!
Maldon has a Visitor Information Centre which is open 7 days a week 9am-5pm. Located at 93 High Street Maldon in the historic gardens. Pop in for a chat and find out any events or experiences that are happening while you're in town.
The 'Roo' is a welcoming venue that is run by hosts Dawn and Donna. Steeped in history, the pub is over 150 years old - if only the walls could talk! Serving delicious pub meals in the dining room or leafy beer garden and dishing out live music on some weekends too. Be sure to book your lunch reservation in advance to avoid missing out.
Opening Hours:
Monday: closed
Tues & Thu: 4pm - late
Wed, Fri-Sun:12 noon - late
Le Sel deli is a little taste of France in the heart of Maldon. Try a variety of cheeses, huge range of salamis, local wines, great coffee and freshly made baguettes daily. The owners hail from France and they’re always up for a chat and willing to help find the perfect selection for a light snack, a lovely aperitif with family and friends or even platters for a group to devour for a picnic in the nearby gardens.
Open 7 days, 9am- 3pm
Call 0411 721 928 for bookings
Maldon has plenty of places that you can grab a tasty take-away meal to enjoy at the nearby Maldon Gardens, or dine in for a seated lunch or snack. We advise to pre-book if you plan to dine in.
Maldon Takeaway: 10 Main Street, fish and chips and other food. Open 11am-8pm Wed - Sun. Phone orders 0476 887 062.
Berryman's Cafe and Tearooms: 30 Main Street, full menu available for dine in or take-away. Open daily 8.30am-4pm. Phone 03 5475 2904.
Gold Exhange Cafe: 46 Main Street, dine in and takeaway. Open daily 7.30am - 3pm. Call 0417 593 996.
Cafe Maldon: 52 Main Street, dine in and takeaway. Open daily 7.15am-2pm and until 5pm weekends. Call 03 5475 2022 for bookings.
Maldon Hotel: 58 Main Street, Tue-Sun from noon. Call 03 5475 2231 for bookings.
Cascade Art is a vibrant gallery located on Fountain Street in an 1863 Gothic Revival church. Owners Kareen and Jeff live and breathe art and take pride in their diverse collection of limited-edition prints, etchings, oil paintings, bronze and ceranic sculptures of both local Central Victorian and emerging Australian artists. You'll be amazed by their outstanding collection and tempted to pick up a lovely gift or a piece of art that you can take home. Artists on show include Robert Maclaurin, David Moore, Sam Varian, Liz Sullivan, Dean Bowen, Ellen Hansa and David Frazer.
1A Fountain Street, Maldon
Open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
Phone: 0408 844 152
This shop houses a bright coloured collection of old school sweets including boiled lollies, licorice, lollypops and other treats. They've been supplying us with their sweetness for 30 years! If there is a lolly that you love, chances are that you'll find it here. A visit to this charming little shop is a true journey back to your childhood.
20 High Street, Maldon
Open 10am-4.30pm weekdays and 10am-5pm weekends
The Beehive Mine Chimney stands out against the Maldon skyline and is a testament to the bricklayer who built it. Completed in 1863 and standing 30 metres high, it is the only one of its age and size still standing in Victoria. The builder’s name is unfortunately not known. Two metres were removed from the top after damage from a lightning strike in 1923 and there has been some repair work at the base. On the left are the remains of the shaft of the ‘New Beehive Company’, one of Victoria’s biggest gold producers.
Adjacent to the chimney can be seen the stone and brick substructures for the boilers and steam engine that provided the power for the mine. Some time after the mine’s closure in 1911, the chimney was purchased by T.B. Brooks (store in Templeton St) and W.E. Preece (town notary) as a monument to the gold won in Maldon and the town’s pioneers and miners.
Credit: Maldon Inc.
A new wave of retailers have settled in Maldon offering an eclectic array of bespoke goods. From luxury homewares, to second-hand furniture and books, linen, lace, wool, flowers and more.
Here's a snapshot of some of the shops that you'll find open on a Wednesday and/or Sunday (plus other non-train days too!):
Much Ado - 22 Main Street (open 7 days a week 10am-5pm) In this wonderful and unique shop you will find everything from home wares, kitchen wares, brushes of all shapes and sizes, books, furniture and garden tools, to local and regional wines and preserves.
Tansley & Co Vintage Merchants - 43 Main Street (open weekends only 10am-4.30pm) Located in the historic McArthurs building, Tansley and Co are Maldon’s specialists in period furniture, antiques, china and assorted vintage goods. Stocking a collection of pre-loved items full of character and well-worn patina - best range of affordable period furniture in the goldfields region.
Portia & Co - 34-36 Main Street (open weekends only 10am-4pm). In store is a huge range of quality handmade jewellery, beauty products, homewares & accessories as well quirky things like DIY models or games. Everything is Australian made or designed.
Enfilade Plus - 79 High Street (open Wed and Sunday 10am-5pm). Find quality linen and laces for bed, table and window. They display a mixture of antique, old and new linens for bed, table and window from France, Italy, Portugal, UK and also at home.
There are many more bespoke items available in our Maldon shops including teddy bears, Christmas decorations, clothing, books and more. You'll find all shops located either on High Street or Main Street.
Run by a volunteer group of self-confessed machinery ‘tragics’, this interesting museum houses agricultural machinery that has been discarded and superseded. This museum can only be described as machinery heaven with many of these treasures in working order. From crosscut saws and artefacts and all sorts of engines, threshers, ploughs, harrows, sorters, tillers, sheep equipment and hay equipment. Then there’s Aunty Jack, a 9 horsepower Marshall engine, the world’s only working, Cornelius Pedis, a 1877 steam driven engine. There is the 100 year old steam driven electric generator, valued at more than $700.000 including a giant very rare marble switchboard and an equally rare upright Steam driven Pump all from Thompson’s foundry and so much more memorabilila.
Open Wednesdays 11-3pm, Saturdays and the 2nd Sunday of the month. Please note: they will re-open the museum in first week of December. Please check their website for details. Free entry.
Held the second Sunday of every month from 9am-1.30pm, you can meet some locals and pick up fresh produce to fill the esky! Purchase the very best hand made arts & crafts and home grown produce from local independent artisans, gourmet food makers and growers in the picturesque town of Maldon.
Held at the Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve
Frances Street, Maldon
Upcoming dates: 13 December, 10 January, 14 February and 14 March
Sometimes a trip to the country is not satisying until you've stood in awe at the base of a huge eucalypt to soak in the wisdom and beauty that emanates. Within the Maldon town boundaries there are more than 60 Box eucalypt trees estimated to be aged between 175 and 645 years old. At the Bill Woodfull Reserve you'll find a 530 year old Yellow Box as well as Grey Box trees aged over 200 years. The Maldon Primary School also houses a collection of Box trees aged between 180-430 years old. Grab a 'Living Treasures of Maldon' map from the Visitor Centre and pay respect to these natural wonders.
Discover some of Maldon's rich history as you explore our historic buildings, places and streetscapes. Each location reveals its story through ‘then & now’ images and text.
Maldon Rediscovered online walking tours for mobile devices produced by Maldon Museum & Archives. This guides visitors around Maldon's historic buildings and tells a little of the history.
Each tour is simple to follow stop by stop from its starting point, or by using the interactive map. Start your walk here - www.tours.maldonmuseum.com.au
Above we've listed the places within walking distance of the train station, but if you come back with your car, you can explore even further. Here's some of our top suggestions for other things to see and do in Maldon:
- Bed down in lovingly restored miner's cottage - so many gorgeous properties to choose from. Check out our accommodation pages to book.
- Sketch the architectural gems under the guidance of a local architect - experience the local country with an indigenous elder, learn how to do flower arranging and other workshops - see Experience Maldon for details.
- Drive to the top of Mt Tarrengower to climb the poppet head for cool views of Maldon or if you've got energy, walk up instead!
- Enjoy a sunset picnic at the Rock of Ages lookout - the light on the rocks at this time is the picture perfect.
- Swim, fish or kayak at Cairn Curran - this local reservoir is a popular waterhole over Summer and for fishing all year round.
- Swirl and sip your way around the local wineries - there are many cellar doors nearby.
- Read the tombstones at the Maldon General Cemetery - you'll unearth so many stories.
For brochures, maps and more info - please visit our Maldon Visitor Information Centre or speak to our Visitor Services Team on 1800 171 888.
