Bendigo: Art, First Nations culture and trams

If you’re looking for a hotel in Bendigo, your travel interests can be a useful starting point: art and First Nations culture, tram history or trails through the city offer different focuses. Bendigo has a range of ways to explore these interests, from art and a dedicated First Nations gallery to tram tours, a park and a trail. The train connection from Melbourne also gives you a specific timeframe for your journey.

Art and First Nations culture

Founded in 1887, Bendigo Art Gallery has spaces for its permanent collection of 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century art. One focus is contemporary Australian art. Its offerings can therefore be considered both by the periods represented and by this particular focus. If you’re planning to see a specific exhibition or visit, check the latest exhibition and access information.

Djaa Djuwima is a dedicated, permanent First Nations gallery on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Unlike Bendigo Art Gallery, whose collection spans several centuries and highlights contemporary Australian art, Djaa Djuwima has its own First Nations focus. The two venues offer different points of reference for cultural planning: a collection spanning a broad period or a permanent First Nations gallery.

Trams: two different tours

The two tram experiences can be distinguished by their purpose. Bendigo Tramways offers a guided tour of Australia’s oldest operating tram depot. The Vintage Talking Tram Tour, on the other hand, helps visitors get their bearings in Bendigo and see the city’s main attractions and monuments. The Vintage Tour ticket is valid for one day, and passengers can get on or off at any tram stop. One tour focuses on the depot, while the other combines orientation and sightseeing with a day-long ticket. Check the latest tour information when making specific plans.

A park and a trail through the city

Rosalind Park offers 60 acres of grassy areas, densely leafed trees, a playground, a historic conservatory, a fernery and old gardens to explore. Its varied landscape and garden features give the park a different character from a single collection or tour. If you’d like to include a parkland setting in your stay, there are several distinct areas here to shape your exploration around.

The Bendigo Creek Trail connects many of the city’s important attractions and is 17 kilometres long one way. It is a trail option with a stated distance, while Rosalind Park is defined by its size and varied garden and landscape features. When planning your day, consider whether you’d rather spend your time on a trail linking important attractions or exploring the park’s different areas.

Getting there and finding a hotel

V/Line’s express train service reaches Bendigo from Melbourne Southern Cross Station in just over 90 minutes. This approximate journey time gives you a timeframe for your trip; check the latest timetable before departure. You can plan your train journey alongside the time you’d like to spend at galleries, on a tram tour, in the park or on the trail.

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