Hungry children searching for chocolate began sifting through hay this morning at 10am and would continue for another 43 hunts over two days.

While 200,000 eggs may seem like a lot, event organiser Deborah Gates says last year there was not one left when the crew packed up on Easter Saturday.

"Those kids are stealthy, I tell you," she said.

Charlie Boxshall took part the three-year-and-under hunt. It was his first time at the event, mother Beck said.

"I think he was a bit overwhelmed to start off with, but once he realised it was chocolate he was happy to get in there and have a go," he said.

Charlie came away with about 15 eggs.

More: Easter 2019 in Bendigo - everything you need to know

The secret to a successful Easter egg hunt was to get down on the ground and to keep your focus as the hay flew and others searched, Mrs Gates said.

"And the truth is the SES volunteers might have just a little to do with them finding eggs," she said.

"They will sneakily drop them around and they will guide the kids who are struggling. They are fantastic."

Tickets were still available for adult hunts in which hunters would don goggles that simulated eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

"They will be down on their hands and knees. It's going to be hilarious," Mrs Gates said.

Vision Australia added the category to the event for the first time to help people understand what it was like living with an eye condition.

The hunt would take place at 5pm Friday and Saturday afternoon, with children doing their hunts throughout both days.

For available times click here.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.