Alium Bendigo

Restaurant

Modern European dining by a prodigious young chef, set inside an historic former bank building overlooking Alexandra fountain. Hyperlocal produce and wine is front and centre here, but it’s hard to ignore the dining room’s stunning and original Art Nouveau features.

Bridgewater Bakehouse

Cafe

It’s official – Australia’s best vanilla slice can be found at this no-frills Bridgewater Bakery. But it’s good for more than just an outstanding “snot block”. Pull in for mouthwatering pies and an epic selection of sweets that would put nan to shame.

The Fat Butcher

Shop

A true paddock-to-plate butcher shop. A bevy of cuts from the butcher’s own farm, plus a few more from surrounding farmers are spruiked here alongside small goods and dairy products from local producers. If you can’t be bothered with your barbecue, grab a ready-made meal to go.

The Mill Castlemaine

Cafe

This century-old former Woollen Mill is home to more than 40 artisan producers. Everything here is made on site, so fill your tote with fresh-made goods from bakers, cheesemongers, chocolatiers and many more.

Love Shack Brewing Co.

Bar

A bohemian brewery hidden in the back of an historic theatre. It’s a fortuitous pairing – the theatre’s kitchen slings pizza, perfect for soaking up the booze in some of those big beers you’ll be sipping on in front of the roaring fire.

Peregrine Ridge

Bar

Ascend to this striking cellar door that overlooks the Goulburn Valley and shiraz vineyards. Set on a hilltop with floor-to-ceiling windows, the building looks like it’s straight out of Grand Designs. The punchy red wine and local charcuterie are a bonus.

Vinea Marson

Bar

For four generations, this family has combined Tuscan winemaking tradition with Heathcote’s iron-oxide-rich soil. The resulting wines are textural and impressive. Come to try a drop at the cellar door, stay for a game of bocce and an Italian antipasti platter.

Nimbus Rooftop Bar

Bar

Bendigo’s best and only rooftop bar. Pair the panoramic views of the city and surrounds with a classic cocktail and a spicy snack from the laid-back menu. Best of all, rain, hail or shine, Nimbus is primed for all weather types.

Bendigo Art Gallery

Gallery

This is one of the biggest and best art galleries in the country – city or regional. It might not be in a capital city, but the Bendigo Art Gallery constantly attracts big-name exhibitions from some of the world's most exciting artists.

Rosalind Park

Nature

This sprawling parkland in the middle of the city was once a maze of goldfield activity. Now its 60 acres features a historic conservatory, artworks such as Michael Doolan’s Happy Ending?, a 1931-built poppet head, functioning as a lookout tower and 50,000+ Tulips in flower in Spring.

Talbot Farmers Market

Shop

On the third Sunday of every month, the population of Talbot – a tiny town an hour’s drive south-west of Bendigo – explodes from 400 to 2000, as people converge for the Talbot Farmers Markets.

Experience Maldon

Few towns have done as good a job of preserving their history as Maldon, a historic gold mining town 35 minutes south-west of Bendigo. Maldon boomed in the 1850s at the height of the gold rush and remarkably much of the streetscape remains largely unchanged. In 1966 it became the first Australian town to be classified by the National Trust, in recognition of its success in preserving its 19th century heritage. The town has many tours and workshops available to experience throughout the year as well as three self-guided historic walks taking you around Maldon’s most notable historic buildings, including the Kangaroo Hotel, the Freemasons’ Hall, the Royal Hotel & Theatre and Warnock’s Flour Mill.

Boort Lakes Apartments

Accommodation

This lake-side escape is an hour’s drive from bustling Bendigo. There’s an abundance of natural beauty to behold in the surrounding area, but the main attraction is the lake itself. You’ll be in prime position if you stay here.

The Stables @ Heart of Gold Vineyard

Accommodation

A luxe retreat inside a revamped 1860’s sandstone cottage on a rural vineyard. It’s ten minutes from Bendigo, so you don’t have to go far to pull up stumps. And when you’re winding-down this close to a cellar door, you may as well taste all the wares on offer.