16 Best Things To Do in Bendigo with Kids in 2024

Bendigo (Victoria, Australia) is only 2 hours drive time away from Melbourne, which means it's within reach for anything from a long weekend to a multi-week getaway.

The city has existed under one name or another since 1855 and as of 1994 is now formally known as the City of Greater Bendigo with a population of 124,000 making it the 4th most populous city in Victoria, Australia.

Once you're inspired to visit Bendigo – then lock in the best family-friendly accommodation in Bendigo for your holiday.

The other city-break destinations northward of Melbourne with family-friendly attractions and activities are Ballarat (slightly closer) and Echuca (somewhat further).

16 best things to do in Bendigo with kids in 2024

1. Go back in time to the gold rush

Hidden under the centre of Bendigo, you'll find the historic Central Deborah Gold Mine. This mine was operated in the 1900s with nearly a tonne of gold extracted. The gold rush had a notable impact in shaping the culture of Bendigo and the Goldfields region in general – lots of money in the region meant that cultural attractions like museums were possible.

Poppet at the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: pasukaru76/Flickr)

The mine has two main parts:

• "Explore the surface" (free)

• "Mine experience" (paid)

Explore the surface

The surface experience is free and is pram friendly. It includes many original buildings and machinery from the mine's operating days, including the Engine Room, the Blacksmith's Shop, a First Aid Room and the Carbide Lamp Room. As well as buildings and artefacts from other mines from the region, including the Deborah Extended, South Deborah, North Deborah and Monument Hill Mines.

Worker operating the shaft lifts at the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: denisbin/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

While you're touring the surface, you can also see the replica of the "Hand of Faith" gold nugget. The original nugget, while not found at the mine itself, was found near Bendigo using a metal detector. It weighed 27.2kg and claims the title of the largest gold nugget ever found with a metal detector.

One of the highlights of this self-guided tour is access to the poppet 22m above ground with panoramic views.

Mine experience

The underground tour takes you down into the mine 61 metres below the surface. On this guided tour, you get to explore the original tunnels and get an immersive sense of what the working conditions would have been like for the workers who ended up digging up 929kg of gold during the mine's operation.

The below the surface journey takes you through a matrix of tunnels, where you can see the raw form of gold, and the types of tools and methods used to extract it.

The guided tour takes about an hour and is only available to kids 3 years and older. For safety and adding to the experience, everyone on the tour gets to wear safety hats. It also averages a cool 14 degrees underground, so be sure to pack a jacket.

Once you're back above ground, to stay on theme, you can pick up a traditional miners pie from the popular Beechworth Bakery just across the road from the mine.

2. Find the Dragon in the city

Bendigo has been a multi-cultural city since its settlement, with people from many countries coming to the region to strike it rich during the gold rush – in particular from China.

Chinese Gate at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: pasukaru76/Flickr)

In celebration and respect of this history, the Golden Dragon Museum was created in Bendigo in 1991 with a stated mission of making sure the Chinese connection to Australia is documented and preserved for future generations.

Paid entry to the museum gives you access to the largest collection of Chinese cultural artefacts in all of Australia – it features between 1,000 and 3,000 items on display at any time, out of a collection of 30,000 objects.

Head of the worlds longest dragon Sun Loong in the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: denisbin/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

Ever since the gold rush boom, the Chinese Bendigonian community have played a part in the city's culture. A very visible contribution is the popular annual Lunar Festival as well as strong Chinese themes in the Bendigo Easter Festival where Sun Loong the world's longest dragon makes an annual appearance.

Red Flower at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: pasukaru76/Flickr)

Outdoors but still on-site at the museum are the Bendigo Chinese Gardens featuring a mix of old and contemporary decor, fountains, flora, and traditional outdoor structures like pergolas. This is a great space for kids to explore once they've had their fill of the museum experience.

Chinese gardens at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: s13n1/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

Once you've got hungry tummies, then you can continue your Chinese cultural theme with a set of great restaurant options nearby on and adjacent to View Street.

3. Immerse in the arts

The Capital Theatre in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Mattinbgn/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

The city's main drama and art venues are all clustered in the Bendigo Arts Precinct. These include the Ulumbarra Theatre and The Capital, which have a variety of family-friendly shows throughout the year – ranging from "Bluey's Big Play the Stage Show" to "Wolfgang's Magical Musical Circus".

The buildings in this quadrant date back to the 19th century and make for pleasant sightseeing, even if you don't see a show.

Bendigo Art Gallery (Image: Elekhh/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

A gallery space exhibiting artwork at Bendigo Art Gallery. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A two minute walk away from the live entertainment venues is the Bendigo Art Gallery. The gallery, founded in 1887, has a rotation of its collection on view as well as special exhibitions. The permanent collection has works from:

• First Nations from the 1900s to the present day

• Britain and its imperial expansion

• Australia, colonial and modern

Part of the collection at Bendigo Art Gallery (Image: Ian Cochrane/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

As you step away from the historic buildings into the laneways of the busy city, you'll come across Chancery Lane; to find it, cross Pall Mall opposite the Bendigo Visitor Centre. This laneway features an ever-changing canvas on its walls where contemporary artists take temporary residence with small and large murals. Chancery Lane is also where you'll find several trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Artwork covering a wall outside the cafes in Chancery Lane, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mural on a wall in Chancery Lane, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

4. Explore the city on a historic tram

Bendigo Tram No 18 on Pall Mall, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Bendigo Trams Nos 21 and 44. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Bendigonians first got their trams in 1890 – and it may surprise you, but they were powered by electric batteries! Unfortunately, it only took a few days to realise that the batteries were too small to power the trams over the hilly tramways, so they were replaced with steam-powered engines, and many years later were replaced again but with electric motors.

While the last trams on the public transport network ran in 1972, the community were so enamoured with the vehicles that they petitioned the governments at various levels to support a smaller tourist tram route. To this day, you can catch one of the 13 trams in operation on this route.

Take a ride around Bendigo a vintage tram (Image: JosephGould/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

The regular tour on the Bendigo Tramways is called the "Vintage Talking Tram". Throughout the year there are other tram based activities and tours, but they're mostly aimed at grown-ups.

For those new to the city, a journey on the tram is one of the best ways to get your bearings around the shape of the city and to see some of the main landmarks.

Alexandra Fountain at Charing Cross, Bendigo (Image: Dansforth/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

On the tram route, the CBD stop at Charing Cross will drop you off right next to the ornate Alexandra Fountain. Around the city block, you'll find the home of the best sourdough and other award-winning baked goods at The Good Loaf. The bakery has cultural claims too, as its building is the heritage-listed Beaurepaires building.

In the opposite direction along Pall Mall, you'll find the Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum. The museum is managed by the Bendigo District RSL and displays artefacts and images from the last 100 years.

5. Relax in the botanic gardens

The Arch of Triumph at Bendigo Botanic Gardens in White Hill (Image: Mattinbgn/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

Right from its original blueprints dating back to 1854, the planners of Bendigo envisioned that it would have a sizeable botanical garden – it took until 1857 for them to be established. They are now Victorian Heritage Registered but under their original name of White Hills Botanic Gardens, named after the original suburb.

The Bendigo Botanic Gardens offer a great way to spend time outdoors during most of the year. The open lawns invite kids to run around and are more reminiscent of a recreational ground, but when you wander around the mature trees dating almost 200 years, then you are instantly reminded of the history of these gardens.

The variety of garden beds and novel sections, like the Garden of the Future, and pavilions are there to remind you that you are indeed at botanical gardens.

The gardens have a playground that's suitable for toddlers and older. Although it isn't particularly sheltered from the sun.

Next to the gardens is the White Hills Swimming Pool. While access to this pool is paid, it's pretty cheap. For free fun with water, check out Long Gully Splash Park.

6. Discover the historic Eaglehawk

The suburb of Eaglehawk located in the north of the city was absorbed into the City of Greater Bendigo in 1994. In its past, it came about like many towns in the region did during the gold rush era.

The area has several notable features either rare or unique in Victoria. Like the Log Lock Up, which is only one of five examples of a log structure built during the 1850s as a small prisoner block. This type of structure was common in the period, but few examples of it have survived.

Nearby is another old building, but one where you can grab a pub lunch. The Eaglehawk Court House, rebuilt in red brick in 1869, is now the Court House Hotel serving all the grub and drinks you'd expect at a pub.

The other major feature of Eaglehawk is the large recreational area developed in 1883. It features the prominent Lake Neangar and its smaller sibling to the east, Lake Tom Thumb. Both of the lakes have flowing water through Eaglehawk Creek.

Pelicans on Lake Neangar in Eaglehawk, Bendigo (Image: patrickkavanagh/Flickr CCBY2.0)

On the banks of Lake Neangar, you'll discover Eaglehawk Playspace with activities for kids of all ages and great public facilities for BBQs and toilets, making it a great destination for a full day out. For your teens, there is a skate park just moments away along the lake's shore. Both of these lakes are popular with pelicans and ducks.

7. Smell the flowers at the many gardens

Conservatory at Rosalind Park. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Larry Ellis/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

Bendigo has so many beautiful gardens that you can visit a different one each day of the week. In addition to those already mentioned (Bendigo Botanic Gardens and Golden Dragon Museum gardens), you also have:

• Rosalind Park, which has the following:

  • Conservatory Gardens

  • Queen Victoria Gardens

  • Yi Yuan Gardens (Chinese Gardens)

• Canterbury Gardens

A luscious green footpath in Rosalind Park with a 19th-century street light. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Rosalind Park

Rosalind Park is located in the middle of the Arts Precinct with the Bendigo Art Gallery on one side and the Sandhurst Gaol on the other. To the south, you have Queen Victoria Gardens and Conservatory Gardens.

Benches under the tree canopy sheltered footpath in Rosalind Park, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Rosalind Park covers 60 acres and has enough variety to fill a morning or an afternoon with your kids. There are large open lawns, a playground (non-school hours), several large gardens, water cascades and a lookout.

Poppet Lookout in Rosalind Park, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: loloieg/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

Panoramic view from the top of the poppet head lookout at Rosalind Park, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

On the hill, at the highest point in the centre of the park is the Rosalind Park Poppet Head lookout. The poppet head was brought to Rosalind Park in 1931 from the Garden Gully United mine. After climbing the many steps, you have views above Bendigo with only the church towers and steeples coming to a similar height.

Near the lookout is the Camp Hill Primary School which makes its playground available for public use outside of school hours. This playspace is great for all ages, with things to climb for babies and equipment for ages up to the teens.

Footbridge across Bendigo Creek in Rosalind Park. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Conservatory Gardens

Flowers in boxes and inside the conservatory in Rosalind Park, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

On the eastern end of Rosalind Park are the Conservatory Gardens. So named since they feature the conservatory – constructed in 1897.

Visit the conservatory in Spring, and you will be welcomed to the park by the annual display of thousands of tulips in bloom. The tulips are meticulously planted in Autumn in preparation for this sensory feast.

Seasonal floral display inside the Conservatory at Rosalind Park, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Queen Victoria Gardens

A family having a rest in Rosalind Park, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Queen Victoria Gardens in Rosalind Park are on the corner near the Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum building. They feature a statue of Queen Victoria surrounded by seasonal plantings. There are quite a few benches, making it a good place for a pitstop whilst exploring the city. Across the road from these gardens is Alexandra Fountain.

Alexandra Fountain at Charring Cross, near Rosalind Park. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Yi Yuan Gardens (aka Chinese Gardens)

The Chinese Gardens have two areas – a contemporary area that is free to access and a traditional style garden located within the courtyard of the Golden Dragon Museum which requires a museum ticket to access.

Red Flower at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: pasukaru76/Flickr)

The contemporary area features a plaza with several large sculptures, including the large red and yellow open flower.

Chinese Gardens, Bendigo (Image: Larry Ellis/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

The traditional area has several fish ponds, fountains, bridges, a pergola and buildings with Chinese style roofs that provide shade. This section is great to relax in, but it's also the most engaging for young kids when compared to the other areas of the park.

Canterbury Gardens

The ornamental Canterbury Gardens are in the north of the city located inside Canterbury Park, which is also where you'll find Lake Neangar. The gardens have a collection of dahlias, roses and palms and host the annual Dahlia and Arts festival.

8. Join a festival party

Bendigo has several noteworthy annual festivals that are worth a visit if you're in town or even planning a trip in time for them.

Bendigo Easter Fair

Kids at the Easter Egg Hunt event in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bendigo Easter Fair, taking place over the 4 days of the Easter long weekend, is one of Australia’s longest-running community events. It takes place in and around Rosalind Park and includes many family-friendly activities, including:

• stage shows,

• hands-on activities,

• live music,

• roving performers,

• and an Easter egg hunt.

Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival

The Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival (BB&RMF) runs for 4 days in November every year, but it also hosts events throughout the year. While many of the events are late in the evening or adult-only, there are several gigs and formats that start during the day and are outdoor so kids can move about more freely.

Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival

The Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival is a combination of three events all held on a March weekend each year:

• Eaglehawk Dahlia Spectacular

• Sunday Family Day

• Mugla Bill Writing Awards

The Dahlia Spectacular is a showcase of Dahlias from all over Victoria – the March date is chosen as Dahlias only flower in March in Australia.

Sunday Family Day is a large fair with lots of family-friendly activities including live music, climbing walls and funfairs.

The writing awards are for short stories and poems – entry is available to the general public of all ages and ability levels!

Lost Trades Fair

Woodwork demonstration at Lost Trades Fair at Kyneton, Victoria. The fair has since moved to Bendigo. (Image: Lost Trades Fair)

Previously based in Kyneton, the Lost Trades Fair has made Bendigo its new home. The fair is a huge showcase of the unique skills and crafts required to create the amazing tools and products that were a staple of yesteryear. While many of the methods have been superseded by modern manufacturing processes in terms of cost but they can't compete with the handmade quality of the products on offer.

The tours and demonstrations at the fair will fill your kids with the intrigue of the past and inspiration to create themselves.

9. Catch a big fish

Yachts on Lake Eppalock on a sunny day. Bendigo region, Victoria. (Image: Mattinbgn/Wikimedia CCBY3.0)

There are several great places to take your kids fishing with pretty good odds of a catch:

• Lake Eppalock on the Campaspe River

• Kennington Reservoir

• and Crusoe Reservoir

The reservoirs are close to Bendigo (~10 mins from the city centre), while Lake Eppalock is about an hour's drive away and is more of a day (or half-day) trip destination. Lake Eppalock is really large and has been popular for water-based recreation for many decades. There's a playground, several boat ramps and lots of islands to visit on a boat. The size of the lake makes it popular for waterskiing and jet skis as well as finding your own nook for quiet fishing.

10. Play with clay

Artist shaping clay at the Bendigo Pottery. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Bendigo Pottery was established in 1858 during the gold rush and through various ups and downs, has survived to this day as the oldest working pottery in Australia and a great tourist attraction.

Activities

Aprons for clay work at Bendigo Pottery in Epsom, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

There are 3 family-friendly activities available:

• Clay Play

• Decorating Workshop

• Wheel Throwing Lessons

Kids at a wheel throwing class at Bendigo Pottery. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Clay Play has no age restrictions and invites you to create shapes and sculpt clay on site. Tools and aprons are provided. Each clay kit is only $5, so there's no reason not to give it a try!

The Decorating Workshops only run during Victorian school holidays and are suitable for all ages. In this 1 hour workshop, an artist will guide you through using the various painting equipment as you paint a plate, a bowl, or a mug in your own design. The items are glazed and fired in the kilns so you can take them home; you can have your creations posted to you at cost, as the pottery is usually only available for collection several weeks later. Participation is $30 per person.

Adults at the wheel throwing lesson at Bendigo Pottery in Epsom, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wheel Throwing Lessons also only run during the school holidays and are aimed at kids 6 years and older, as well as adults. These 30-minute lessons will give you the opportunity to throw clay on a wheel and learn to create an upright shape and a pot-like shape. You can have your pots glazed and fired so they can be used and shipped (at cost) to you once ready. Each session is $30 per person, with each item fired at $10 per piece.

Museum

The retail shop set around the old kilns at Bendigo Pottery. Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bendigo Pottery Interpretive Museum is constructed around the old kilns and showcases the equipment and methods used at the pottery since 1858. There are videos, soundscapes and views into the active modern production areas.

Museum entry prices:

• Adults (16+): $8

• Children (5-15 years): $4

• Children (under 5 years): Free

• Family (2 adults and up to 4 children): $20

Shop

Shelves full of handmade pottery at Bendigo Pottery in Epsom, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The pottery shop sells a large range of pottery produced on-site, including popular contemporary styled dinnerware, traditional cookware and kitchenware and hand-painted tableware.

You can also purchase a clay kit ($14.35) and some tools ($20) to play at home!

11. Get on two (or more) wheels

Rail Trail

Winery at Heathcote. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The O'Keefe Rail Trail is a sandy track running for 50-kilometre from Bendigo to Heathcote. The trail crosses many bridges – all of which are new, with the exception of one just on the outskirts of Bendigo. The path meanders past the vast Lake Eppalock where there's a purpose-built picnic area.

For rides with smaller kids, you can do an out-and-back ride from Lake Weeroona to Axe Creek. There's a picnic spot at Axe Creek and the return ride is ~24km.

Lake Weeroona in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Goldfields Track

The Leanganook section of the Goldfields Track runs from Bendigo to Castlemaine, so in its entirety, it is really for those with teenagers, but the initial section in the Bendigo Regional Park can be fun for all the family. It's mostly flat, but you do need some prior experience on mountain bikes.

Skateparks

Bendigo has several large skateparks to get your kids active:

• Axedale Skate Park

• Bendigo Skate Park

• McKern Skate Park, Eaglehawk

And a few smaller ones at Heathcote Skate Park and Elmore Skate Park.

BMX

To take your bikes more off-road, the Bendigo region has a huge number of maintained BMX tails, jumps, tracks, balancing structures and pump tracks:

• California Gully BMX Jumps

• Eaglehawk BMX Racing Track

• Gateway Park BMX Jumps

• Heathcote BMX Jumps

• Long Gully BMX Track

• Sebastian BMX Track

• Spring Gully BMX Jumps

• Strathfieldsaye BMX Jumps

• White Hills BMX Track

• Wolstencroft Reserve Playspace

12. Swim, splash and water play

Bendigo has a large number of pools and a splash park to cover most of your kids' wants.

There's an outdoor splash park at Long Gully and an indoor one at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre.

Most of the outdoor swimming pools have a dedicated toddler and an intermediate pool. They also have a limited season usually from mid-November to late March, but some start in October or December, so check the official sites before going.

Outdoor pools:

• Brennan Park Swimming Pool

• Elmore Swimming Pool

• Faith Leech Aquatic Centre (aka Bendigo Aquatic Centre)

• Golden Square Swimming Pool

• Goornong Swimming Pool

• Heathcote Swimming Pool

• Marong Swimming Pool

• Peter Krenz Centre, Eaglehawk

• White Hills Swimming Pool

13. Play with science!

The Discovery Science and Technology Centre is designed with interaction and engagement at its core. You'll find it opposite the Bendigo Railway station in the middle of the city.

The Early Learning Space at the centre – aimed at ages from babies to 6-year-olds – is called Kaleidoscope and is full of sensory stimuli. There's a block building space, a magnetic wall, a light and shadow play area, and a Human Kaleidoscope to experiment with reflection. To connect the centre with the region's history, there's a mine play area that encourages imaginative role-play.

A vertical slide – similar to a skate half-pipe ramp – lets your kids and you experience falling at 40km per hour; kids must be 5 years or older.

In the planetarium, you're taken on a tour of our solar system with a stop off at each planet.

The Discovery centre also has over 100 exhibits to explore and interact with. It's easy to spend a few hours in the centre.

Once you're outside, you're next to the CBD for your food options, and Rosalind Park is just 10 minutes walk away.

14. Visit churches and temples galore

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Lindsay Evans/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

While Adelaide in South Australia is famous for its churches, Bendigo gives it a good run for its money with the number of large temples, cathedrals and church steeples filling its skyline.

Inside the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: denisbin/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

The shortlist of those worth seeing:

• Bendigo Joss House Temple

• Sacred Heart Cathedral

• St Paul's Anglican Church

• St Kilian's Church

• St Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Muskerry

15. Play by the lake

Lake Weeroona, Bendigo (Image: Larry Ellis/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

On the Vintage Talking Tramway, one of the stops is at Lake Weeroona. This is one of the other large lakes in the city and is closer to the CBD. The walk around the lake takes about 20 minutes with a pram, or quite a bit longer with smaller feet in toe. On your walk, you'll see ducks with their own ducklings in their wake, as well as a cafe.

Cafe at Lake Weeroona, Bendigo (Image: denisbin/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

The Lake Weeroona Playspace is located on the Napier St side of the lake and is a large, multi-level adventure playground with several slides, ladders, ramps and swings. The equipment is great for toddlers and older kids up to teens.

A family with a pram across from The Boardwark Bendigo cafe. Lake Weeroona, Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

On the other side of the lake, a short walk north is PepperGreen Farm. PepperGreen is a social enterprise set on a historic 2-hectare site that was home to the original Chinese Market. The farm offers training and employment for people with disability and those that experience disadvantage and growing fresh produce that is then prepared and served in the cafe as well as sold in the retail shop on-site.

16. Take a day trip to a huge temple

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Victoria. (Image: Tourism Victoria/Flickr CCBY2.0)

On the north-western outskirts of Bendigo city is a piece of land that is now home to the largest stupa in the western world; a stupa is a place with Buddhist relics and one that's used for meditation. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is still under construction, but there are many areas that are already accessible, including the entrance gardens that are full of lavender and rosemary, and contain the beginnings of a Bodhi tree forest.

Inside the stupa sits the impressively green and vibrant Jade Buddha atop a throne. The sculpture is 2.5 metres tall and weighs nearly 4 tonnes. The original jade boulder that the buddha was carved from was discovered in Canada in 2000.

After the walking, you'll likely want to take a break at the StupaView Cafe where you can find a huge selection of vegetarian (of course) options. The cafe has views of the gardens and the stupa.

6 free things to do in Bendigo with kids

Many family activities in Bendigo cost money, but these are the best ways to have fun with your kids in a unique and memorable way for free:

1. See the Above the Surface experience at the Central Deborah Gold Mine.

2. Play in the water at the Long Gully Splash Park.

3. See the permanent and temporary collections at Bendigo Art Gallery.

4. Spend the day by Lake Neangar at the Eaglehawk Playspace and Skate Park.

5. Relax at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens.

6. Visit the largest Stupa being built in the Western world.

11 best things to do in Bendigo with kids when it's raining

1. Go 61 metres underground into the Gold Mine.

2. See the permanent and temporary collections at Bendigo Art Gallery.

3. View the enormous collection of Chinese artefacts at the Golden Dragon Museum and watch the rain pitter-patter on the ponds in the Chinese gardens outside.

4. Day trip to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.

5. Play with clay at Bendigo Pottery or take some back home.

6. Indoor play at Park Lane Play (10 mins drive) aimed at younger kids.

7. Fill half a day at the Zone Fun Park (5 mins drive) for older kids. The Zone has mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag and a roller skating rink.

8. Put on some gumboots and jump in puddles at Rosalind Park.

9. Knockdown some pins at Bendigo Bowling Centre.

10. Go shopping at Bendigo Marketplace.

11. Jump around on the trampolines at Jumpz.

Things to do in Bendigo