| BENDIGO - VICTORIA - 3550 | ||||
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Population: 68500, Elevation: 250, Latitude: -36.2549 Longitude: 144.1649 Location: 150km north of Melbourne Highway: Calder and Midland Hwys Nearest Major Town: Melbourne Nearest Airport: Bendigo Touring Area: Goldfields |
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 The Bendigo Tram Depot |
 The Soldiers Memorial at Bendigo |
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In its first years Bendigo was known as Castelton, in January 1853 it became Sandhurst until in 1891,
the colonial government officially renamed it to the more popular Bendigo In 1851 William Johnson spent the night at Bendigo Hut while travelling from Sydney. The next morning he spied flecks of gold in slate while walking across some rocks with a local shepherd. Additional finds were made between October and December and the discoveries were significant enough by New Years Day 1852 to send a Commissioner to establish mining claims. Much of Victoria was opened up with the discovery of gold in its Western and Northern areas in the 1850's, and Bendigo is one of the finest examples of the magnificent cities which sprang up around the mines. From 1851 to 1954, when the last gold was extracted from the underground mines, Bendigo produced 25,million ounces of the precious substance. The cosmopolitan mix which the goldfields attracted have left Bendigo with a rich heritage. Irish, Germans, Chinese, Cornish and Canadians all contributed to the culture of the city and were responsible for many of the city's fine buildings and impressive statuary. When the gold ran out they established market gardens, laundries, tailor shops, gambling houses, hotels and shops and stayed on. The professionals who administered to the growing population; the doctors, dentists, architects and lawyers stayed on too. Today, all of these, and their ancestors, contributions make Bendigo one of the finest cities in Australia to live in. To the visitor the first impression as you enter the city centre via Pall Mall is one of grandeur. Magnificent Victorian spires and buildings dominate the skyline and there seem to be parks and gardens everywhere. To add to the atmosphere, historic trams trundle along a tramway down the middle of the street, providing quick transport from A to B, and historic tours for visitors. They also provide an excellent atmosphere to capture photographs of how the place would have looked last century. Bendigo is surely the 'City of Gold', it claims to be, and is well worth a holiday to capture its unique atmosphere. PLACES OF INTEREST: Bendigo Gas Works Built by the Bendigo Gas Company in 1860, this important piece of industrial construction operated continuously until the introduction of natural gas in 1973. The works were the last and most technologically complete coal-gas production plant in Australia. OTHER ATTRACTIONS:Hartlands Eucalyptus Farm Whipstick Forest, Huntly. Ph: )3 5448 8270 See a distillery and the other machinery used to produce eucalyptus oil. Other displays include a hut with original furniture, and a shop where you can buy oils, soap and other products. Open daily. Admission charge. DETAILS ON THE FOLLOWING PLACES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE INFORMATION CENTRE Lot 1 and 2 Mills Rd. Eppalock. Ph: 03 5439 7395 Bendigo/Sutton Grange Rd. Sedgewick. Ph: 03 5439 6367 Midland Highway, Harcourt. Ph: 03 5474 2468. Orchid and Butterfly Gardens. Open 10-5 Wed. to Mon. Closed July. Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View St. Bendigo. Ph: 03 5443 3991 Bendigo Regional Arts Centre 50 View St. Bendigo. Ph: 03 5441 5344 MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS March April Bendigo Easter Wine Festival September October November December
INFORMATION CENTRE: Bendigo Tourist Information Centre: Old Bendigo Post Office, Pall Mall. Ph 03 5444 4433 Heathcote Tourist Information Centre: Main St. Heathcote. Ph: 03 5433 3677 HOW TO GET THERE: By Car along the Midland, Sunraysia or Lodden Valley Highway | LIGHT PLANE | Bendigo Bus Service: 03 5447 2222 V Line Bendigo: 03 5440 2765 Southern Cross Travel: 03 5443 5133 | ||||||||
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |