Art & Culture
Keep an eye out for exclusive exhibitions that are hosted at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Otherwise it’s a beautiful space anytime, and there’s a popular cafe and gallery shop if you’re not ready to fully commit to the art!
18 minute walk.
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I-Bendigo Art Gallery
42 View StKeep an eye out for exclusive exhibitions that are hosted at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Otherwise it’s a beautiful space anytime, and there’s a popular cafe and gallery shop if you’re not ready to fully commit to the art!
18 minute walk.
Housed in an old goal, visit Ulumbarra to take in a performance by major national and international performing artists and touring companies, join a guided tour, even experience life in the old Cell 26.
25 minute walk.
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Ulumbarra Theatre
10 Gaol RdHoused in an old goal, visit Ulumbarra to take in a performance by major national and international performing artists and touring companies, join a guided tour, even experience life in the old Cell 26.
25 minute walk.
Visit the View Street Arts Precinct for the Art Gallery and Bendigo Theatre, then stay to poke about in the galleries and boutiques. After all that, eat al fresco at one of the many cafes, grab a pub meal at the heritage Rifle Brigade Hotel, or wine and tapas at Wine Bank on View, housed in a 19th century architectural beauty and old bank.
15 minute walk.
View Street
View StreetVisit the View Street Arts Precinct for the Art Gallery and Bendigo Theatre, then stay to poke about in the galleries and boutiques. After all that, eat al fresco at one of the many cafes, grab a pub meal at the heritage Rifle Brigade Hotel, or wine and tapas at Wine Bank on View, housed in a 19th century architectural beauty and old bank.
15 minute walk.
Food scene
Just around the corner from View street, MsBatterhams is a lounge bar and restaurant that evokes serious speakeasy vibes from a bygone Victorian era. Housed in a 140 year old school hall, expect modern Australian fare served in a space replete with plush booths, marble, and velvet curtains. Fancy. Sumptuous. Very adult.
17 minute walk.
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MsBatterhams
10 MacKenzie StJust around the corner from View street, MsBatterhams is a lounge bar and restaurant that evokes serious speakeasy vibes from a bygone Victorian era. Housed in a 140 year old school hall, expect modern Australian fare served in a space replete with plush booths, marble, and velvet curtains. Fancy. Sumptuous. Very adult.
17 minute walk.
One of Bendigo’s top restaurants and deservedly so. Food is modern, shareable, and delicious. And the service is great in a refined but not stuffy space. Worth considering leaving the little ones at home.
10 minute walk.
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Masons of Bendigo
25 Queen StOne of Bendigo’s top restaurants and deservedly so. Food is modern, shareable, and delicious. And the service is great in a refined but not stuffy space. Worth considering leaving the little ones at home.
10 minute walk.
Bendigo doesn’t have the laneways Melbourne does, but the couple they do have are well worth a wander. Particularly Chancery Lane, where you’ll find The Dispensary. Go for dinner, or just cocktails. Tiny. Classy. Yummy.
15 minute walk.
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The Perch
121 McCrae StreetBendigo doesn’t have the laneways Melbourne does, but the couple they do have are well worth a wander. Particularly Chancery Lane, where you’ll find The Dispensary. Go for dinner, or just cocktails. Tiny. Classy. Yummy.
15 minute walk.
It’s a serious steak restaurant, but I had some of the best Pork Belly of my life here. Fairly casual setting, and good for families and groups.
18 minute walk.
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The Woodhouse Restaurant
101 Williamson StIt’s a serious steak restaurant, but I had some of the best Pork Belly of my life here. Fairly casual setting, and good for families and groups.
18 minute walk.
Not necessarily worth a special visit, but a must if you’re already out this way for brunch or lunch. Inside is lovely, but the outdoor space with rows of large timber tables is my pick. Also lots of GF treats if you’re coeliac or intolerant.
10 minute drive.
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Spring Gully General Store
134 Spring Gully RdNot necessarily worth a special visit, but a must if you’re already out this way for brunch or lunch. Inside is lovely, but the outdoor space with rows of large timber tables is my pick. Also lots of GF treats if you’re coeliac or intolerant.
10 minute drive.
We love taking our kids here. Enormous sprawling venue, the extensive stepped gardens with tables nestled into hidden areas makes it feel both private and fun. The glass atrium is another gorgeous setting to eat. Go for lunch and drinks outside when the weather is nice, or dinner in any of the spaces. Crowd-pleasing menu.
5 minute drive.
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Gold Mines Hotel
49-57 Marong RdWe love taking our kids here. Enormous sprawling venue, the extensive stepped gardens with tables nestled into hidden areas makes it feel both private and fun. The glass atrium is another gorgeous setting to eat. Go for lunch and drinks outside when the weather is nice, or dinner in any of the spaces. Crowd-pleasing menu.
5 minute drive.
Spanish tapas bar at the opposite end of Chancery Lane to The Dispensary. Biggest decision - late night sangria here, or cocktails further down?
15 minute walk.
El Gordo Bendigo
Pall MallSpanish tapas bar at the opposite end of Chancery Lane to The Dispensary. Biggest decision - late night sangria here, or cocktails further down?
15 minute walk.
When you’re not grabbing something to eat (Stella, Grill’d) or drink (Metro, Tonic, Subtle Eye) in Bull Street, it’s home to some of the best street festivals in Victoria, shutting the street multiple times a year. Find a festival and go!
18 minute walk.
Bull Street
Bull StreetWhen you’re not grabbing something to eat (Stella, Grill’d) or drink (Metro, Tonic, Subtle Eye) in Bull Street, it’s home to some of the best street festivals in Victoria, shutting the street multiple times a year. Find a festival and go!
18 minute walk.
A Bendigo institution. Go for the always good pizza and pasta and big buzzy atmosphere. Very kid friendly, they’ll give the kids dough to sculpt into whatever they like as their pizzas (including GF) are cooking. 20 minute walk.
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Clogs Pizza Restaurant (Bendigo)
106 Pall MallA Bendigo institution. Go for the always good pizza and pasta and big buzzy atmosphere. Very kid friendly, they’ll give the kids dough to sculpt into whatever they like as their pizzas (including GF) are cooking. 20 minute walk.
Coffee is great, food is good, and kids and adults alike will love the coffee bar housed inside a retro caravan. Plenty of sunny seats outside too. 15 minute walk.
Cortille
322 Lyttleton TerraceCoffee is great, food is good, and kids and adults alike will love the coffee bar housed inside a retro caravan. Plenty of sunny seats outside too. 15 minute walk.
One of the closest cafes to you, an easy wander down into the CBD. The sourdough is worth a visit alone. 10 minute walk.
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The Good Loaf Sourdough Bakery & Cafe
404 Hargreaves StOne of the closest cafes to you, an easy wander down into the CBD. The sourdough is worth a visit alone. 10 minute walk.
Another cafe that’s a lovely close walk. It has an industrial style, great vibe, always busy. Quick sit for coffees or settle in for a more relaxed brunch or lunch. 10 minute walk.
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The Brewhouse
402 Hargreaves StAnother cafe that’s a lovely close walk. It has an industrial style, great vibe, always busy. Quick sit for coffees or settle in for a more relaxed brunch or lunch. 10 minute walk.
Fine dining in an elegant space, sitting in one of Bendigo’s most notable historic buildings. Sit in the window for gorgeous views out over Bendigo’s iconic central fountain and Rosalind park and gardens. My Mum has said they’ve enjoyed ‘beautiful food’ here, and she’s a great cook. Divine.
15 minute walk.
Alium Dining
17 View PointFine dining in an elegant space, sitting in one of Bendigo’s most notable historic buildings. Sit in the window for gorgeous views out over Bendigo’s iconic central fountain and Rosalind park and gardens. My Mum has said they’ve enjoyed ‘beautiful food’ here, and she’s a great cook. Divine.
15 minute walk.
Bars & Pubs
Ok Bendigo is not known for its sweeping views, but up this high (it is pretty) on a sunny afternoon or balmy evening is hard to beat.
15 minute walk.
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Nimbus Rooftop
103 Mitchell StOk Bendigo is not known for its sweeping views, but up this high (it is pretty) on a sunny afternoon or balmy evening is hard to beat.
15 minute walk.
A humming beer garden literally hidden in the middle of town. Well worth finding and escaping into its lush and leafy surrounds for a drink (or two!) Also great for kids, with a bit of a play area.
12 minute walk.
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Handle Bar
73 Mitchell StA humming beer garden literally hidden in the middle of town. Well worth finding and escaping into its lush and leafy surrounds for a drink (or two!) Also great for kids, with a bit of a play area.
12 minute walk.
This is your new local! Just around the corner, great food, lots of GF options from an owner that takes it seriously. Live music some nights, a small beer garden when the sun is out, roaring fire inside when it’s not. 3 minute walk.
Golden Vine Hotel
135 King StThis is your new local! Just around the corner, great food, lots of GF options from an owner that takes it seriously. Live music some nights, a small beer garden when the sun is out, roaring fire inside when it’s not. 3 minute walk.
Kids & Family
With 7 Cinemas, Gold Class and large game zone it’s a very close pick to take the kids.
5 minute walk.
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Bendigo Cinemas
107-109 Queen StWith 7 Cinemas, Gold Class and large game zone it’s a very close pick to take the kids.
5 minute walk.
One of our kids favourite school holiday visits. Regularly changing exhibitions and interactive experiences, a vertical drop slide, and a Planetarium.
10 minute walk.
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Discovery Science & Technology Centre
7 Railway PlOne of our kids favourite school holiday visits. Regularly changing exhibitions and interactive experiences, a vertical drop slide, and a Planetarium.
10 minute walk.