Things to do in Bendigo

Ironbark riding centre operate a range of horse riding adventures around Bendigo. Starting from $40 for a 1 hour ride to $120 for a full days ride. Enjoy the beautiful trails of the Whipstick State National Park.

Open from November to February is Bendigo Water World. Home of the Big Bendi Water slide. Only 7 minutes from the centre of Bendigo, it is a great family day out. With swimming pools, water slides, a toddler pool, free BBQ facilities and a kiosk. Entry is $3 for non-sliders, but an unlimited slider pass is $21. A family pass is $70 and includes 2 non sliders and 4 sliders. On Sundays they have live music in the afternoon. This is a great way to kick back and cool off during the summer months.

If you are inspired by a trip to Bendigo Pottery, then book a throwing lesson! For $30 an hour you can get a lesson on the pottery wheel with a skilful potter. Lessons are daily, and you can take home your master pieces or leave them to be glazed and fired on site. While you need to leave them for 2-3 weeks, they will post anywhere in the world. Lessons are suitable for anyone over the age of six. For $4 there is a Clay Play area where kids can try sculpting by hand.

Have you caught gold fever on your trip to Bendigo? Bendigo Gold offer 3 hour prospecting and metal detection lessons so that you can have a go at finding gold. Lessons are run several times a week and cost $220.

Bendigo is the home of the Myer Department Store, an iconic store in Australia. So make sure you visit the first Myer, located in the city centre.

Feeling a bit more adventurous, why not try fly boarding, run by Full Throttle. Spin, twist, dive and fly up to 10 meters in the air on Lake Eppalock. The flyboard is a combination of jet skiing, water skiing, wake boarding, skiing, snowboarding and acrobatic diving. However, it is more intuitive so it will take most people about 20 minutes with an instructor to gain your balance - and then you are off! An introductory flights is $110 and you must be over 14 years old. Group discounts also apply.

A trip on the famous talking tram is a must for any visit to Bendigo. It is $17 for a hop on hop off two day pass and stops at most of the famous attractions along the way. You can combine your travel cost with entry into some of the sights by purchasing a Bendigo Experience or Bendigo Explorer Pass.

With over 100 interactive exhibits, the Discovery Science and Technology Centre is a great experience for kids of all ages. The centre has 7 metres vertical slide, which is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. Open every day except Christmas, and for the month of February. Children under 5 are free, children 5-15 are $10.50 and adults are $13.50.

The Discovery Centre also has a curious kids exhibit, especially designed for children aged 3-5, and a planetarium with special events during school holidays.

Set in a beautiful old building is the RSL Military Museum, run by volunteers, most of whom are war veterans. Gold coin donation for entry to see some fantastic artefacts and learn about Australia’s military history, all while enjoying more glorious Bendigo architecture.

Established in 1857, the Bendigo Botanical Gardens is an ever growing and changing gardens, with additional funding and planning proposed. Bendigo’s first public garden, it was Heritage listed in 2001. The gardens are open daily and entry is free. There are picnic facilities, a children's playground and a WWII Arch of Triumph, along with a collection of rare plant species.