With vantage points around the city at a premium, the Lancefield man spent the parade duration on an old exercise bike outside McGillivray Hall in McRae Street.

But this was no regular exercise bike - the contraption doubles as a pedal-powered wood lathe, complete with an old dragster gear box.

Mr Payton was in Bendigo for the Bendigo Woodturners Easter display and demonstrations.

He spent much of his time outside the hall making and selling wooden whistles to children, with the proceeds going to charity.

His machine is dubbed 'Mulga's Bill Bicycle', inspired by the Banjo Patterson poem of the same name about the tragic character form Eaglehawk.

"It's no coincidence - I'm a poet and a musician as well," he said

"I do performance poetry and music, mostly folk and Celtic.

"We do nursing homes and stuff."

Mr Payton, who travels to woodwork events across Victoria, said he was a regular visitor to Bendigo at Easter and always watched the gala parade.

He said he was content to do so from a distance at his work station.

"I reckon it's great for the community - it should keep going. I'm sure it will," Mr Payton said.

"These people get here, no joke, about 6am and put their chairs down and I've often thought 'you need a new seat, let me make you one'.

"They are quite elaborate. They put a seat down and a blanket to claim a spot and come back at 10am.

"It's a great event. Not everyone goes to Moomba, but I reckon most people in Bendigo come to this."

Mr Payton, a member of the Sunbury and District Woodworkers Club, said sales at the Easter display had been a little down on previous years.

"I think money is a little tight this year," he said.