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BENDIGO, VICTORIA SCROLL DOWN FOR LOTS MORE [36º45'S 144º17'E]
Bendigo was named after a local prize-fighter nick-named Bendigo, who took on his name from British boxer Abednego Thompson, well known at the time of the 1852 rush. Bendigo was officially known as Sandhurst until the popular name was restored in 1891.
Historic Pall Mall, Bendigo Take a walk down Pall Mall, arguably one of Australia's finest examples of grand architecture. Click here for an armchair tour.
Touring Bendigo Australia: Useful Information: Newspapers, Shopping, Banking, Postal Services, Email, Telephones, Emergency Numbers, Interpreting Service, Churches, Cemeteries, Visitor Info Centre, Hospital, Late Night Chemist
Dentist, Tipping, Voltages, Climate, Size, Culture, Population, Geographical Location, Passenger Transportation
Armchair Tours
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Nothing could ever be as good as being there yourself but here you will find an in depth look at some of our most popular attractions. Each tour is full of pictures and you can see what you're in for ahead of time. Plan your next visit smarter.
Rosalind Park
Pall Mall
Diamond Hill
Victoria Hill
Lansell Gardens
Camp Hill
One Tree Hill		 Cascading Fountain
Queen Elizabeth Oval
R.S.L. Memorial Hall
Conservatory Gardens
Ladies Memorial Gardens
Queen Victoria Gardens
Rosalind Poppet Head Tower
50 things to see and do in Bendigo.
Taking A Look Around! click here
There's always something you can do in town. Make your mind up to do something here today.
In 1853, gold became Australia's principal export!
Whilst no-one really knows who found the first gold in Bendigo, it seems that all would agree, many a poor man became a rich man instantly, on Bendigo’s rich fields...
The Welcome Stranger
The two largest gold nuggets found in the world were both found on the Bendigo fields!
The discovery of gold transformed Bendigo into one of the world's wealthiest communities, in fact we owe our existence to the accidental discovery of Gold in 1851. Thousands of Chinese and European immigrants swarmed to the Bendigo goldfields when news of the gold strikes got out.
The discovery of goldHow the Diggers lived
Historic Architecture
Over fifty of Bendigo's historic buildings are already listed on the World Heritage List!
Click here to see thumbnail pictures
View the Pictures
R.S.L. Museum/Memorial Hall
Camp Hill Primary School
Regional Theatre
Art Gallery
Historic Fire Station
Beehive Stores
City Family Hotel 		Charing Cross
Gold Mines Hotel
Rifle Brigade Hotel
Historic Post Office
Hopetoun Hotel
Lakeside Hotel
Shamrock Hotel
Grandstand
Shopping in and around Bendigo
In and Around Bendigo - Bendigo's retail trading hours
Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm. Saturday 9:00am until 5:00pm. Late night Shopping is on Friday 9:00am until 9:00pm. Selected Stores Thurs and Fri 9:00am until 9:00pm. Sun Trading only selected Stores, mostly 11:00am - 4:00pm. Individual times for Shopping Centres, Markets, Swap Meetings, Fairs/Festivals/Fetes, Garage Sales, Car Boot Sales and Auctions.
Charing Cross
This photograph was taken before the fountain was placed in Charing Cross. The building on left burnt down and was replaced with Fountain Court, owned by the Bendigo Bank. It is about to undergo extensive renovations to become a four storey modern business complex.
 Charing Cross circa 1868.
Bendigo's Arts Precinct
Museums Art Galleries and Studios
Antique Galleries and Shops
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
Discovery of payable gold was in 1851 which led to the towns development, although station hands were suspected of finding gold even earlier. The Eaglehawk field opened up in 1852. The battery was established in 1854.

Need a limousine? Oz Limos offer cheaffuer driven cars for all types of special occasions.
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
The first sheep run was taken in 1840, squatters with sheep were in the area during the 1840's.
More on local wildlife
The abundance of flora and fauna in this area, including birds, reptiles, marsupials & mammals, pays testimony to our caring attitudes towards them.

It's All About Food !
Wineries - Pubs - Clubs - Restaurants - Cafes - Deli’s - Take-Away’s - Chain stores - Supermarkets - Butchers - Green grocers - Other
Bendigo's Attractions
Free Local and National Activities - Local and National Attractions - Bendigo Jockey Club
Lots of things to learn about Australia
Some Excellent Reading Here !

Australia’s Chief
National Emblem
Our Flag - State Flag
Australia - Other Flags
Lots of things to learn about Australia
The abundance of gold gave rise for many to grab their guns and begin a career of bush-ranging. Captain Melville became well known for his exploits around here and is said to have buried his treasure somewhere in this area.
Captain Melville More Bushrangers >>
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
Bendigo Pottery dates from 1858 and is Australia's oldest pottery, although it has not worked continuously.
A street full of class
Arts Precinct - Arts Centre - Temperance Hall - Publicans, shanty keepers and sly-grog sellers prospered in Bendigo’s history, often to the detriment of their customers. Historic Fire Station. After a serious fire in 1855 volunteers manned three brigades and by the 1870s Bendigo's first fire brigade was formed - Rifle Brigade Hotel - Q.E.O and the Queen Elizabeth Grandstand - Goldfield Arts featuring: Bendigo Art Gallery, Artists and their Paintings - Crafters' and their Crafts - Performers and their Art - Poets and their Poetry
Places you can party!
Entertainment Venues - Cinema - Golf Club - Bendigo Jockey Club - Theatre - Fortunes - Night Clubs - Pubs - Lords Raceway.
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
The historic Bendigo Town Hall was built where it stands in 1860.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions Festivals and Events - Australian Sheep and Wool Show - Bendigo Agricultural Show - A more comprehensive list of events can be viewed at http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/links/events
Famous & Infamous people
Wonderful Characters and Fantastic Tales - Aborigines - Chinese Migrants, European Migrants - Noted Australians
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
It was in 1854 that horsedrawn puddling machines caused such environmental damage along Bendigo Creek and a royal commission was set up. Aluvial gold declined by 1855 but the discovery of reefs and switch to company mining led to renewed prosperity. Peak production was in 1856 when 20.5 million grams were produced, making it Victoria's richest find.
Parks, gardens, waterways
and Other Public Land click here
Includes National Parks, State Parks, Regional Parks, Bushland Reserves, Municipal Parks and Playgrounds, Sports Reserves and Ovals, Open Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Private Gardens, Chinese Classic Gardens, Rivers, Lakes, Creeks, Streams, Dams and Water Races
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
Further development of quartz reef mining from 1870 lead to Bendigo's general growth. Mining ceased in 1954, by which time 690 million grams of gold was produced.
Statues & Monuments
Honorable Memories - Local Tributes
Bendigo is said to be blessed by the Goddess Fortuna. Her goldfields were visited by Admirals, Generals, Kings and Queens. The towns Parks and Gardens pay tribute to many of them in the form of statues or monuments.

Local Trivia
The City Family Hotel cost $27,000 to erect.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral in High street took over 100 years to complete.

Fun with our landmarks
And now for something completely different... how about some fun with our landmarks. Use your mouse to put the jigsaw together in the fastest possible time.
8 Piece Puzzles
56 Piece Puzzles 		32 Piece Puzzles
81 Piece Puzzles
Local Trivia
Early Days in Bendigo
For a long time Bendigo had the worlds deepest gold mine at 1400 mtrs.