Knock knock

Who's there?

Just about everybody who has the faintest interest in Royalty, and the Chinese Year of the Pig.

It may seem a strange combination but in Bendigo this Easter, as a tourist or a local, these topics are just some of the fabulous events and sights you can expect as the city polishes up its treasures for the influx of visitors.

ROYALS:

Direct from London and exclusive to Bendigo Art Gallery - ‘Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits’ opens March 16 to July 14. The exhibition traces the history of the British monarchy through the breathtaking and imposing collection of portraits. Bendigo will be celebrating with royal themed experiences over this period.

DRAGON: 

Join thousands as the line the streets on Easter Sunday to watch the Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade, and see Sun Loong, the world’s longest Imperial Chinese Dragon last parade, as he hands over the reins to the new dragon Dai Gum Loong.  There is also a rumour that Loong, the World’s oldest imperial dragon will come out of retirement and make a special guest appearance this year!

There’s no better place to hang out, play tourist, or bug the relatives, than our sunny Bendigo. 

Heritage buildings:

Twenty first century visitors to Bendigo soak up the wonderful architecture of its historic homes and buildings, but the architects of these masterpieces, in truth the artists, are not so well known. We see their work on every street, and yet we don't know too much about them.

German architect, William Vahland's work is reflected in Bendigo's churches, banks and hotels, including the Royal Mail Hotel, the former Colonial Bank at 32 Pall Mall, and the old National Bank next door, as well as the magnificent town hall fronting Hargreaves Street, as well as the Alexandra Fountain.

Many of William Beebe's beautiful homes are still standing today. Other fine architects working on the gold fields were George Watson (law courts and post office), Getzschmann (BRIT building), GA Fletcher(Bramble Cottage) , JM Brady(Bishops Palace)and JH Jones (Albert Hotel) to name a few.

For more information, check the brochures at the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre.

Malmo

Cnr View and Valentine Streets

Architect William Beebe 1898

Denderah

Cnr View and Valentine Streets

Architect William Beebe 1888

The Fuse Factory

Wattle Street

Architect W C Vahland and his son Henry

To find out some fabulous things to see and do, head for the Bendigo Advertiser’s Out & About magazine Here.

You will be impressed with all there is on offer, and as long as you have your cardy or throw, you’re all set to take in the sights.

What sights? Well, you can’t miss our glorious Pall Mall, which is the ‘front’ for one of the most beautiful gardens in any city, anywhere. Rosalind Park has many entry points and you can find unusual trees, kept alive all through the drought, the cascades, the old police lockup, and the lookout tower on top of Rosalind Park. 

Here are some more of the highlights.

CULTURAL:

The Bendigo Tafe Bendigo Easter Festival promises to be filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family as Bendigo’s CBD comes alive over Easter. Be in the hunt for over 170,000 Easter eggs on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Drums, Lion Teams and 100,000 crackers are all part of the Awakening of the Dragon on Saturday evening.  As the sun sets, find your place along the road to cheer on the convoy of illuminated floats in the Laser Electrical Torchlight Lantern Procession, concluding with a spectacular fi reworks display.

The Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival is a community highlight held from March 13 to 19, with the theme of ‘We Are One’. Highlights include: Eaglehawk UFS Dispensary – Gala parade, Art Shows, and a family da.

Held at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in May (17to 18), Illumin8 Vesak Festival of Light and Peace is a festival to celebrate peace and harmony inspired by Buddha’s life. You can browse markets stalls and enjoy a delicious vegetarian or vegan meal, and conclude the experience with spectacular fireworks and an animated light show.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE:

Have a tipple of craft beer to excite your taste buds at the Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival on March 23.

The day will showcase some of the best craft beers and ciders, and you can sample up to 100 plus different beers and ciders. Autumn is all about food and wine in Bendigo and foodies will love a visit during the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Regional Weekend, March 15 to 25.

Events include Welcome to Our Kitchens presented by Food Fossickers, Regional World’s Longest Lunch in Rosalind Park, The ultimate wagyu experience at the Woodhouse, Laneway Fiesta at El Gordo, River Feast with Karen Martini at Loddon and the Whisky experience at the Dispensary. Meet the winemakers and sample some of the best drops in our region at the Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival on Saturday April 6 in historic Rosalind Park.

THE ARTS:

Apart from The Royals coming to Bendigo direct from London and exclusive to Bendigo Art Gallery - ‘Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits’, the Gallery also brings to you 1000 doors in Rosalind Park (April 6-28).  Created by Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, the team behind the wildly popular House of Mirrors, 1000 doors invites us to explore a labyrinthine world that exists in a sort of temporal and spatial embolism beyond our material reality.

Sanguine Estate Music Festival Bendigo (SEMF) is one of Australia’s leading chamber music festivals. Held in Bendigo this year it is on from May 2 to 12. See world class musicians, electrifying performances and sip world class wine.

It's a huge line-up of events showcased during autumn to celebrate Bendigo’s modern culture of arts, fashion, food and wine, all against a magnificent backdrop of colourful autumn leaves and gold rush architecture.

There are beautiful parks to cycle and to walk through, our local produce is in abundance and the winegrowers are harvesting their vines. It’s an expectant, exciting time of the year.