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 Region''For me, second-hand has been a means of self invention, a haphazard route to a haphazard personal style'' (Robyn Annear, local author of 'Nothing New - a History of Second Hand')
If you're a sassy and sustainable stylist, a vintage vulture, purveyor of pre-loved or perhaps a collector of kitsch - you must indulge in a regional retail rummage through the upcycled furniture, artwork, bric-a-brac and belongings to be found in Castlemaine and Maldon.
With an eye for the eclectic, fossick for curious collectables from the past and revive them into statement pieces for your home or wardrobe. Rifle through the racks of retro, salvage what is skewiff, sentimental or silly, hunt for what's hardy, hipster or heritage and navigate the nouveau, nostalgic and neo.
Here's our suggestions to pair the pre-loved perusing with plenty of pit-stops!
Commence at Das Kaffeehaus located at The Mill precinct. Trading as a Viennese coffee house and micro-roastery means that you're in good hands for your pre-shopping caffeine fix or a little brekkie to get your rummaging stamina!
9 Walker Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
If searching for a second hand gem then you must start with a wander through the 1850 square metre showroom at the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar - a retail space that hosts numerous stallholders offering diverse and eclectic vintage as well as some locally made artisan jewellery and gifts. Located at The Mill, their wares are too numerous to even describe - but one thing they can guarantee is that you'll find something that you weren't looking for!
Location: The Mill - 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Daily 10am - 5pm
Platform No.5 is located directly next door to Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and is an unconventional warehouse space co-owned by Phillip Parsonson. Phillip has had an interest in interest in the ‘collectiblity’ of beautiful objects since the 70s, when he started in business among Melbourne’s thriving and exciting antique trade. His store specialises in selling vintage, antique, repurposed and handmade furniture plus retro wares, industrialia and art pieces.
Location: The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Daily 10am - 5pm
Here you'll find second hand furniture, costume jewellery, rustic items for the garden, paintings, prints,lighting, tools, books and more. An ever-growing treasure trove that spills out into their backyard and friendly owners to help you find what you're seeking.
Location: 53 Templeton Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am - 4pm and Sun 10am - 3pm.
Mount of Alex a charming bookstore of Andrew Long, an Archaeologist and experienced collector in the field of antiquarianism. The bookshop presents a general selection of high quality books covering a broad range of eclectic interests, with notable strengths in travel and topography, exploration, children’s and modern literature.
Location: 273 Barker Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm - by appointment
Cream Town is a new twist on a couple of old classics. A café, an art gallery, an events space, a farm planning non-profit + a photographer. At Cream Town, showcasing local, biologically progressive producers and directly supporting artists takes precedence. Check out their menu.
Location: 325 Barker Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Daily 7am - 3pm
Everyone loves their local ops shops to pick up a wide variety of clothes, shoes and other goods at affordable prices. All proceeds from your purchases goes towards supporting the lcoal community too - so even more reason to pop in and stock up!
Vinnies: Our Castlemaine Vinnies stocks a wide range of good quality clothing and goods.
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and Sat 10am-5pm Sat. Closed Sunday.
Location: 244 Barker Street, Castlemaine
Salvo's thrift shop: A teasure trove of clothes and unexpected delights. Located centrally in the CBD on Forest Street.
Open:Mon- Fri 10am-4pm Closed weekends.
Location: Forest Street Castlemaine
Mount of Alex Animal Welfare Op Shop Empawrium: Run by a passionate crew of 40 volunteers this lovely shop raises money for animal shelters and wildlife groups. The space is split into two - one side is traditional op shop prices for clothing, homewares, childrens books, toys, linen and bric-a-brac. The other side houses more valuable collectors items such as books and furniture and other items which have been donated to fetch a higher price tag and raise more funds!
Location: 12 Johnstone Street, Castlemaine
Open: Tue-Fri 10am-3pm and Sat 10am-1pm.
Whether it's sassy and attractive or demure and buttoned-up, retro is the go at the little blue house, at the funky end of Mostyn Street in Castlemaine. Inside you’ll discover all things beautiful, from antique china and glass, vintage furniture to an eclectic mix of period and retro homewares. Delightfully filled with special items from every age where the emphasis is on style and design.
Location: 74 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Thu-Sun 11am-5pm
This is part antique warehouse, part museum with a showroom collection that is possibly one of the largest in Australia. They've got porcelain that dates from the 18th Century, 1930s Depression glass, an entire area dedicated to Art Deco pieces, antique tables and chairs, Victorian lighting, antique French clocks and grandfather clocks. There's also an entire showroom dedicated to automobile garage items including pedal cars, enamel signs, petrol bowsers, oil tins and so much more. You have to see this collection to believe it!
Location: 1-5 Elizabeth Street, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Daily 9.30am - 5pm
You may not have seen a salvage yard this attractive! Surrounded by beautiful native plantings, their stock is sorted and stacked in the yard and sheds for easy viewing, allowing your imagination to run wild with the possibilities for DIY projects! Supplying reclaimed building materials in the form of benchtops, sinks, bricks, doors, electrical, fencing, fixings, flooring, furniture, gates, glass, hardware, iron, lighting, plumbing, posts, steel, storage, structural timber, trusses and windows.
Location: 6 Lewis Drive, Castlemaine
Opening Hours: Friday 8am – 5pm and Saturday 9am – 2pm.
To kickstart your Maldon explorations, we suggest a coffee and pastry at Le Sel. Le Sel Deli aims to bring the wonderful tastes of France’s delicious selection of food, ranging from a variety of French cheeses to baguettes and croissants.
Location: 12 Main Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 9am-3pm, Fri-Sun 9am - 5pm
Located in the Maldon triangle at the corner of Main Street and High Street you'll find two stores - Bank Corner Collectables and Elsie & Pat. Step through the doors of Elsie & Pat where the beautiful dark teal wall accentuates a colourful and eclectic mix of homewares, furniture, and knick knacks - retro to mdern to industrial.
Location: 1/29 Main Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Wed - Sun 10am-3pm
Step into the soft and comfortable world of lavender, linen and lace. Run your hands over the gorgeous imported fabrics straight from their European makers to find elegant and timeless pieces that will add a touch of luxury and indulgence to your home. Look for the French linen lavender sachets, needle cases, embroidered tissue box covers [complete with linen liner], dainty lace handkerchiefs [to be seen and used] and adorable bookmarks with tactile little white sheep embroidered in French knots.
Location: High Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Thu-Sun 10.30am - 5.30pm
New and used books on every subject cram the shelves here. Chat to owner Mike Smythe, a former English teacher to help you locate a book that will light you up.
Location: 1/26 High Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Mon & Thu-Sun 10.30am - 4pm
The 'Roo' is a welcoming venue that is run by hosts Dawn and Donna. This historic 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.
Location: 88 High Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Sat & Sun 12pm-8pm and Tue - Fri (check website for updated hours)
This is a gorgeous space in Maldon oozing with antiques, quirky and vintage goods. Their aim is to provide affordable, long-lasting pieces that will find pride of place in your home. With a sustainable ethos, they take comfort in bringing you quality pre-loved items that bring beauty and joy to your life, so that you have no need to purchase mass-produced goods. Run by Valentina Tansley who is a visual artist and all round creative soul. Please check their Instagram page here.
Location: 43 Main Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Sat-Sun: 10.30am - 4.00pm
A funky little shop with racks of vintage, retro and recycled clothing and shoes.
Location: 66 Main Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: most weekends
A lovely place to pick up natural cotton & linen clothing for coast and country living. 100% recycled and eco friendly - naturally washed and dried in the sun and wind.
Location: 77 High Street, Maldon
Opening Hours: Sat & Sun 11am-4pm
Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land comprising the Mount Alexander Shire Council area.
We pay respect to their Elders both past, present, and emerging.
