Central Deborah Gold Mine

Rumbling down the lift to level three of the Central Deborah Gold Mine was a truly impressive experience.

The tour with guide Ken Bice was absolutely wonderful as he shared his vast knowledge on everything to do with the mine, from explaining the origins of mining terms like 'plat' (platform) and 'crib' (morning tea), to describing the geological origins of the area.

He kept it interesting with quirky anecdotes about his own experiences and by performing demonstrations with tools used down the mine.

Returning for a tour of the ninth level of the mine is now on my to-do list.

The tour involves travelling underground 228 metres for up to four hours for full immersion in the mining history of Bendigo.

Bendigo Tramways

Trundling down Pall Mall on the Vintage Talking Tram Tour allowed me to soak in some general history of Bendigo, and learn about the role that Bendigo Tramways has played in shaping the character of the city since the first steam tram system started up in 1892.

Riding the tram was a great way to help me get a feel for the layout of Bendigo.

Stopping off at the oldest operating tram depot in Australia provided me with a chance to explore the Heritage Rail Workshop in a bit more detail, and take in the stunning restored heritage trams.

Bendigo Art Gallery

The art gallery's reputation as a thriving spot in the art world has reached far beyond Bendigo, and it really did live up to the hype. 

Originally operating as the Sandhurst Fine Art Gallery in 1887, the gallery has maintained its place in the Bendigo community ever since.

With its wonderful collection of European pieces and some contemporary art adorning its cabinets and walls, the 19th century Australian art shines through to reflect the gallery's place in regional Victoria.

Gazing at James Edwin Meadows' 1886 painting Sandhurst from Camp Hill was a highlight.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

My strong memory of visiting the cathedral as a child on a family holiday and being awed by its grandness was on my mind as I made my way inside, and I wondered if the cathedral would live up to the image in my head. It did.

The beauty of the Tasmanian blackwood pews and arches, the stained glass windows and the sheer enormity of the structure awed me all over again.

The gothic revival sandstone building underwent a long process to arrive at its present state, with moderations continuing from 1897 to 1977.

Golden Dragon Museum

The museum was filled with thoughtful and engaging exhibits that did a fantastic job of painting a rich picture of the history of the Chinese population and their culture in Bendigo.

Due to the whirlwind nature of the tour, there were many delicate artefacts and detailed documents that I wasn't able to take in, so a return trip is definitely in order.

The highlights were definitely Loong (Dragon) and Sun Loong (New Dragon), the world's oldest and longest imperial dragons respectively. Winding their way around the exhibits, they add vibrant colour and give the museum its character.

Rosalind Park

Managing to squeeze a stroll through the lush greenery of Rosalind Park provided a welcome chance to catch my breath.

The green open spaces and landscaped rows of flowers were complemented by the warm spring weather.

Learning about the way the park has transformed over time with the town brought the area to life.

Imagining the transition the space undertook as it went from being a creek lined with River Red Gums, to a landscape of mullock heaps during the goldrush, to its present green state was magical.

Soldiers Memorial Institute Museum

This visit allowed me to explore a different part of Bendigo's history, providing a glimpse into the role military conflicts have played over the years in the community.

The carefully curated rooms were filled with fascinating pieces that represent the personal connection people in the city have had with war, from the Boer War right up to Afghanistan.

It's well worth dedicating some time to carefully going through the material displayed here.

My top five attractions:

1. Central Deborah Gold Mine

2. Golden Dragon Museum

3. Bendigo Art Gallery

4. Rosalind Park

5. Sacred Heart Cathedral