Heritage Unwrapped: Join us on Saturday 11 May 2019 to enjoy Bendigo's best heritage experiences.
Participating attractions include; Bendigo Tramways, Bendigo Joss House Temple, Bendigo Pottery, Bendigo Woollen Mills, Bendigo Art Gallery, Central Deborah Gold Mine, Golden Dragon Museum, Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Old Post Office, Sandhurst Gaol, Hotel Shamrock, PepperGreen Farm, Post Office Gallery and the Town Hall.
Bendigo is a vibrant contemporary regional centre, boasting beautiful streets created from one of the world's greatest gold rushes. The city's heritage is such an integral part of Bendigo's story that it has been carefully preserved and is available for everyone to enjoy.
The strong support that the city's heritage sites receive from the local community is key to their continued survival in Bendigo. "Heritage Unwrapped" is an open day event that aims to celebrate this support, so that locals and visitors alike can explore the best heritage experiences the city has to offer.
There is guaranteed to be something for everyone to enjoy!
Central Deborah Gold Mine
Explore the hidden underground tunnels of a real gold mine that operated during the gold rush boom.
- Access the surface of the mine: Try your hand at panning for treasure, making your own miner's tag and plummeting underground on Cage Rider.
- TIME: 9:30am - 4:30pm
- COST: Donation
- PLACE: 76 Violet Street, Bendigo
- Mine Experience Tours: Descend 61 metres underground and walk in the footsteps of past miners.
Bendigo Tramways
Visit Australia's 2016 Cultural Tourism Attraction of the Year! Click here to download the Tram Timetable.
- Anzac Centenary Tram: Hear the story of Bendigo throughout WW1
- TIME: 10:00am - 5:00pm
- COST: Donation
- Dja Dja Wurrung Tram: Discover the traditions of Bendigo's first people and hear a story more than 40,000 years in the making
- TIME: 10:40am - 5:30pm
- COST: Donation
- Vintage Talking Tram Tour: Enjoy entertaining stories about the city founded on one of the world's richest goldfields.
- TIME: 10:20AM - 5:00pm
- COST: Donation
- Depot & Workshop Tour: Discover the colourful history of our iconic tram fleet and see first-hand the craftsmanship and techniques that are involved in restoring each tram to its former glory.
- TIME: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 5442 2821
- PLACE: 1 Tramways Avenue, Bendigo
Bendigo Joss House Temple
Explore the oldest Chinese place of worship still on its original site in Australia. Celebrating 150 years in 2021.
- Guided Tours: Discover more about Chinese beliefs and the story of the Chinese who came to Bendigo in search of gold.
- TIME: 10:30am - 3:00pm
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 5442 1685
- PLACE: Finn Street, North Bendigo
- Feed the Fish:
- TIME: 12:30pm
- COST: Free
Bendigo Art Gallery: Icons from the historic collection tour
Learn about Bendigo's unique heritage and the paintings and sculptures linked to our city's past.
- TIME: 11:00am and 2:00pm
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 5434 6088
- PLACE: 42 View Street, Bendigo
Bendigo Visitor Centre
- Town Hall Tour: Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Town Hall. You'll even have the opportunity to explore the city council chambers, which would not be complete without spending a moment at the Mayor's table.
- TIME: 11:00am (1hr Tour)
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 1800 813 153
- PLACE: 189-193 Hargreaves Street
- Old Post Office Tour: A unique opportunity to see an architectural masterpiece created in 1887 by the state government to signify Bendigo's prominence in Victoria's prosperity. The Post Office was designed by G.W Watson.
- TIME: 2:00pm (30min Tour)
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 1800 813 153
- PLACE: 51-67 Pall Mall
Bendigo Pottery Interpretive Museum
Step back in time and learn about the production processes, machinery, working conditions and traditional skills of Bendigo Pottery from its beginning in 1858 to the present.
- TIME: 10:00am - 5:00pm
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 5448 4404
- PLACE: 146 Midland Highway, Epsom
Golden Dragon Museum: Bendigo's Golden Dragons – the stories behind Loong, Sun Loong, and Dai Gum Loong.
This talk and tour will focus on Bendigo's three great parade dragons, including stories and photos from 127 years of dragon parade in our city and rarely seen footage dating to 1929.
- TIME: 10:00am and 1:00pm (1.5hr tour)
- COST: $10.00 per person
- PHONE: 5441 5044 Bookings Essential
- PLACE: 1-11 Bridge Street, Bendigo
Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum Exhibition
Take a tour to discover more about Central Victoria's involvement in war and peacekeeping.
View a photographic survey of Australia's Avenue's of Honour by Sarah Wood.
- TIME: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- COST: $4.00 per person
- PHONE: 5442 4513
- PLACE: 37-39 Pall Mall
Bendigo Woollen Mills Tour
Discover the history of the Woollen Mills building when it was part of the tramways and a guided tour of the wool production process.
- TIME: 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm (45min tour)
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 1800 813 153 Bookings Recommended
- PLACE: 4 Lansell Street, Bendigo (Access through Bendigo Tramways Depot)
Hotel Shamrock
Guided Tour: Join a member of the Bendigo Historical Society for a tour of the Hotel Shamrock which has presided majestically over the heart of Bendigo for more than 100 years.
- TIME: 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm (45min tour)
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 1800 813 153 Bookings Recommended
- PLACE: Corner of Pall Mall + Williamson Street
PepperGreen Farm Heritage Tour
Discover the rich past of the Chinese gardens which were operational during the gold rush era, including the historical kiln. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat in our café or on board the vintage tram.
- TIME: 11:00am and 1:00pm (45min tour)
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 5445 9888
- PLACE: 44 Thunder Street, North Bendigo
Post Office Gallery: Rule Britannia, the Golden City
This exhibition showcases the eventful visits of the British Royal Family to Bendigo, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 and Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1983.
- TIME: Exhibition open 10:00am - 5:00pm
- Curator's Tour: 1:00pm (1hr tour)
- COST: Donation
- PHONE: 1800 813 153
- PLACE: Bendigo Visitor Centre, Pall Mall