The area around what is nowadays Bendigo used to be inhabited by the Dja Dja Wurrung, also known as Djaara, people. In 1851, gold was discovered there and Bendigo boomed. The wealth created during the Victorian gold rush can still be seen in the city's Victorian architecture. It also still retains some of the reminders of the countless Chinese diggers who lived and worked there.
In 1853 the town was renamed Sandhurst, but in 1891 it was changed back to Bendigo again. In the early 20th century the gold boom was over and Bendigo started somewhat declining. In 2009 the Calder Freeway was completed, which connected Bendigo with Melbourne. Ever since, Bendigo is on the rise again.
Prominent buildings in the Second Empire architectural style from that time include Bendigo Town Hall, which was built in 1859, the Old Post Office, the Bendigo Law Courts (1896), the Shamrock Hotel (1897), the Institute of Technology and the Memorial Military Museum, which was opened in 1921. Buildings erected in Victorian style include Fortuna Villa, the Colonial Bank building from 1887 and the former Masonic Hall (1874). Chinese miners built the Joss House in the 1860's. The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a large sandstone church that was constructed from 1896 to 1908. It is Australia's third-largest cathedral. A spire was slowly being built between 1954 and 1977.
Bendigo also boasts a tram museum. It is housed in the historic Bendigo Tram Sheds and Power Station, a building that was constructed in 1903.
There are several nice parks in Bendigo. The center of town is adjacent to Rosalind Park. It was laid out in Victorian style and features a large statue of Queen Victoria. The large Alexandra Fountain dates from 1881 and sits on top of a wide bridge that spans Charing Cross junction. The higher parts of the park include Poppet Head Lookout, which offers good views over Bendigo. Lake Weeroona is adjacent to Bendigo Creek and further downstream you'll find the Bendigo Botanic Gardens. The gardens are home to numerous indigenous animal and plant species.
Accommodation is available in town. Bendigo is 150 km (90 mi) northwest of Melbourne and 540 km southwest of Canberra.
Sacred Heart Cathedral ©Richard Lin
Rosalind Park ©Kristen Beever
Bendigo ©Richard Lin
View from Poppet Head Lookout ©Gryffyn M