Introducing guest blogger Kate from Rolling Along with Kids
Located north of Melbourne, Bendigo is a great spot to enjoy a day trip or overnight stays. Bendigo has a huge amount of history and the discovery of gold in 1851 put Bendigo on the map. The architecture and cultural diversity are evident throughout the city and makes it a great Australian city to explore with the kids.
This post is part of our Explore My City series – come and visit cities around the world through the eyes of local parents
Outdoor Activities in Bendigo
Bendigo Tramways
A fun way to take in the sights of Bendigo, the Vintage Talking Tram is a must with the kids. They can learn about Bendigo’s history and see key landmarks and monuments around the city. One of the best aspects of the tram, you can hop on and off if you see a spot you want to explore.
Visiting Bendigo’s beautiful parks and gardens
Bendigo is known for its outdoor spaces that provide a perfect spot for a picnic or for the kids to run around. Rosalind Park Precinct is in the centre of town and includes the heritage gardens, Poppet Head lookout, Chinese Precinct and kids playground. If you visit Bendigo with the kids, this is the first place to visit.
Further out of town in White Hills is the gorgeous Bendigo Botanic Gardens. Our kids love the children’s play space that is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, so many fun features including garden rooms enclosed by hedges.
Exploring Bendigo Play Spaces
Bendigo has a huge amount of outdoor play grounds for the kids. Free to use and a huge amount of fun, what kid doesn’t love a playground!
A couple of play grounds that can’t be missed are the Eaglehawk Play space and Strathdale Park Play space. They have thought of everything at these play grounds including access for kids with disabilities.
Going for a walk or bike ride
Lake Weeroona has a great walking path around the lake and the playground is a favourite of ours as it’s fully fenced and helps to keep our autistic son in one spot!
The Kennington Reservoir is a great spot to go for a walk or take the kids fishing. The Grassy Flat Bushland Reserve next to the reservoir has lots of trails and bush for the kids to explore.
If you have time to go for a longer walk or bike ride, the O’Keefe Rail Trail is a great choice. The disused railway line links Heathcote and Axedale with Bendigo. The 49km trail has lots of different access points that you can join it from and Heathcote is a gorgeous town with lots of things to do.
Indoor Activities in Bendigo
Discovery Science & Technology Centre
Kids of all ages will love this place, it features a museum with 100+ hands-on science exhibits, the tallest vertical slide in Australia, a planetarium and a play area for younger kids. Each school holidays they put on a different program with a new theme each time. A must visit with the kids.
Central Deborah Gold Mine
Ever wanted to visit a real gold mine? Join a tour at the Central Deborah Gold Mine and you get to go underground and see real gold! They have a range of different tours for most ages.
The Mine Experience takes you 61 meters underground but kids have to be aged 3 years and over to take part. If you have older kids aged 14 years and over, they can experience the Nine Levels of Darkness tour that is Australia’s deepest underground mine tour and takes you 228 metres underground!
Golden Dragon Museum
Chinese history in Bendigo is a huge part of the city. They have a great range of tours that teach about the history of Chinese in Bendigo and walk around the Bendigo’s old China Town. The kids can also participate in the craft programs and learn to make Chinese opera masks, Chinese paper cuts, Chinese calligraphy and origami.
The Zone Fun Park
When the kids need to run around and have fun but it’s freezing or too hot outside, check out The Zone. Our kids always love going here and the kids can enjoy go karts, roller skating, laser tag, mini golf, paintball, indoor play centre, jumping castle, outdoor maze, arcades and slot cars. It won’t be the cheapest day but lots of fun!
Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre
If the kids are keen for a swim and a play at a water splash park, Gurri Wanyarra in Kangaroo Flat is the place to go. This indoor swimming centre is a lot of fun with the kids and is open all year round except for Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Bendigo is a fun place to explore with the kids and there are always different events to enjoy that are kid friendly. For details on events like the Bendigo Easter Fair that has been running for 150 years, check out the council website for more information.
About the Blogger
Kate Comer is mum of 2 and founder of Rolling Along With Kids, a blog about travel to Bali with kids. She loves to inspire families to travel to Bali and to help them plan the best Bali family holiday. When she’s not in Bali, you will find her living in Bendigo, drinking coffee and dreaming about her next holiday.
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With thanks to Kate for her contribution to our guest series. You may also like to read about Exploring Melbourne with Kids, or head to Unique Ways to Explore Sydney with Kids.
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