Bendigo and beyond: Touring Victoria’s Goldfields region

View of Bendigo, Vic (Bendigo Tourism)

Grant and Linda Hanan head to the heart of Victoria’s golden past, exploring its goldrush history and heritage while using Bendigo as a basecamp for day trips around the region.

Located a couple of hours north-west of Melbourne, the Victorian Goldfields shines as a premier destination for travellers looking for a blend of rich history, outstanding local wine, culinary excellence and relaxing bushland. Using Bendigo as a base for several nights and exploring the surrounding region on day trips, our itinerary highlights some of the best attractions this sparkling part of Victoria has to offer. 

Victoria’s golden past

The Victorian Goldfields owes its fame to the feverish goldrush that began in the early 1850s. While early pastoralists had settled in the area two decades earlier, it was the initial finding of gold at Clunes that really kicked things off. Rich discoveries soon followed at the nearby towns of Bendigo, Ballarat and Castlemaine, which saw thousands flock to the region in the hope of striking it rich. While not everyone uncovered a fortune, the goldrush completely transformed Victoria by igniting rapid population growth, economic wealth and a surge in infrastructure. 

Although long before a prospector’s pick struck the soil, the Victorian Goldfields region was home to many Indigenous communities, including the Barengi Gadjin, Dja Dja Wurrung, Eastern Maar, Gunaikurnai, Taurgurung, Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Yorta Yorta peoples. Their cultural and spiritual connection remains today as they continue to share stories of their connection to the region.

Pulling into a shady free camp alongside the Wimmera River on our way to Bendigo

Exploring Bendigo

When alluvial gold was found along Bendigo Creek in 1851, its discovery contributed to the goldrush that turned the region into one of the richest goldfields in the world. And the city’s wealth is well-reflected today with many opulent buildings found along Bendigo’s main street, Pall Mall. Other noteworthy buildings on surrounding streets include the Sandhurst Gaol precinct and Sacred Heart Cathedral. As one of Australia’s largest churches with a spire nearly 90 metres tall, it’s hard to miss as it towers above the city skyline. Located on the outskirts of town, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is another iconic Bendigo landmark. The Buddhist monument also rises well above the surrounding landscape and is home to many holy objects.

Inside Bendigo’s historic Sandhurst Gaol

Having an interest in learning more about the area’s gold past, we jumped on a tour at Central Deborah Gold Mine that’s located in the Bendigo CBD. Interestingly, Bendigo’s underground hides a honeycomb of tunnels, and this tour took us 60 metres beneath the city for a close-up mining experience.

Going underground on the Central Deborah Gold Mine Tour 

These days Bendigo isn’t renowned just for gold. Learning the city has a vibrant arts scene and a thriving food and wine culture, we gladly took a few days off from cooking by supporting a few local businesses. From our positive dining experiences around the city, we agreed Bendigo’s title as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy — and therefore culinary capital of the goldfields — is well deserved.

Alfresco dining next to Bendigo Botanic Gardens

East towards Heathcote

With wine on our minds, we took the McIvor Highway 46km east towards Heathcote, winding through bushland and rolling farmland until reaching this pretty town. German settlers first planted vineyards back in the 1850s, with the region now one of Victoria’s premier wine destinations. Sipping our way around a couple of wineries was a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, especially as the region is well-known for producing one of our favourite wines, shiraz. Although that’s slowly changing, with other Mediterranean varietals now making a splash and gaining popularity.

The view from Heathcote’s Peregrine Ridge winery

Exploring town, we took a relaxing walk across the McIvor Creek swing bridge. Constructed in the early 1880s, it’s a cute wooden bridge that’s suspended by a single steel rope and leads to a tranquil bushland valley. Other town attractions on our list included the historical Heathcote Powder Magazine. Originally built in 1864, this prominent building on the outskirts of town was once used to store explosives for gold mining. Our last stop in Heathcote was to the Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve just a few minutes away. Once a sluicing site from the late 1800s, erosion has carved colourful cliffs that glow under dramatic skies.

Taking a walk around the Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve at Heathcote

South of Bendigo: Maldon, Castlemaine and Harcourt

Maldon

A short drive (39km) south of Bendigo you’ll find the quaint town of Maldon, and a visit here is like stepping back into the 19th century. Walking through the streets, you’ll find an abundance of old-world bluestone buildings with iron-lace verandahs and decorative shopfronts from the goldrush era. Maldon is known for its local arts, produce and antiques, and is a popular weekend destination for Melbourne locals.

Plenty of sweet treats at the Maldon Lolly Shop

Once we could pull ourselves away from the retail precinct, we stopped at the historic Maldon Railway Station (est. 1888) on the edge of town. If you can time your visit right, scenic 45-minute train rides operate on Sundays between Maldon and Castlemaine, and vice versa.

Castlemaine

Speaking of Castlemaine, it’s one of the larger towns in the Victorian Goldfields yet full of old-world charm. It’s a 38km drive south of Bendigo along the Midland Highway, or a shorter 18km south-east of Maldon. In addition to its large collection of grand stone buildings and what was once a substantially sized 19th-century gaol, Castlemaine is home to an enormous monument dedicated to explorers Burke and Wills. The explorers passed through Castlemaine on their way north in 1860, and the town memorial was erected in 1862 to honour the expedition after their tragic return journey.

Castlemaine’s towering Burke and Wills monument

Another Castlemaine highlight is the local Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. It’s the perfect place to stretch the legs on one of many bushwalking trails that pass abandoned mine sites, settlements and relics. If you’re up for something more than a gentle stroll, the Goldfields Track is great for hiking and mountain biking. There’s free caravan-friendly camping available at Vaughan Mineral Springs (no bookings required), plus picnic tables, barbecue facilities, toilets, a playground and swimming spots.

Harcourt

Turning back towards Bendigo, we made a brief stop at the small town of Harcourt. Vicks Viaduct is located here, a historic bridge over Barkers Creek built from local granite by German masons in 1859. This bridge is a spectacular work of art for the era and well worth the short detour on your way back to Bendigo.

Goldrush treasures: Maryborough, Carisbrook and Dunolly

Maryborough

Next up on our Victorian Goldfields road trip was Maryborough, just under 70km south-west of Bendigo. After rising to prominence during the gold boom, it has now become established as a major railway hub in the region. We found the heritage-listed Maryborough Railway Station with its elegant red-brick facade and ornate interior to be a real town highlight. Maryborough is also known for its wide, leafy streets and stylish historical buildings that provide a sense of grandeur in this country town.

The beautiful Maryborough Railway Station

Carisbrook

Continuing 8km east along the Pyrenees Highway, we stopped to visit an old log gaol at Carisbrook. Locally known as ‘The Logs’, the Carisbrook Log Gaol is an intimidating-looking building that was used by the police until the early 1900s. With no windows anywhere on the building, one can only imagine the horrid conditions endured by those finding themselves in the unfortunate position of being locked up.

The intimidating-looking Carisbrook Log Gaol

Dunolly

Just a 24km drive north-west via Carisbrook-Havelock Road, Dunolly is another goldfields township not to miss. Once boasting a population of nearly 40,000 at its peak, numbers dwindled as the goldrush declined. But if you’re keen to find some treasure, rest assured that the gold hasn’t completely run out, and the town is still a hotspot for gold prospecting. Dunolly also has many well-preserved Victorian-era buildings, including the stately Dunolly Court House built in 1862, making it another good place to stretch the legs and look around.

Dunolly Court House

Goldfield superstars: Bridgewater, Tarnagulla and Moliagul

Bridgewater 

The historic town of Bridgewater is just under 40km north-west of Bendigo and set on the banks of the picturesque Loddon River. Once a vital stop for travellers and traders moving between diggings, the river continues to be a major drawcard today. Although these days you’re more likely to spot water skiers, canoeists and stand-up paddle boarders hitting the water. While you’re in town, check out the Bridgewater Bakehouse that’s famous for its pies and vanilla slices. Or if you’re looking for something more substantial, swing by the iconic Bridgewater Hotel across the street. With its Art Deco-inspired construction and great food, you’re in for a treat soaking in views of the Loddon River from the pub’s beer garden. 

Loddon River at Bridgewater is the perfect spot for some canoeing fun

Tarnagulla

Heading 22km south on the Bridgewater-Dunolly Road, Tarnagulla is a small town that’s full of surprises. While originally a pastoral area, gold shot this town to fame after monster-sized nuggets up to 39kg were uncovered. While the Victorian goldrush petered out by 1865, Tarnagulla is another goldfields town where prospecting remains popular, with smaller but by no means less treasured nuggets still found intermittently. We noticed prospectors generally base themselves at Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve, located only a minute or two from town within a secluded bush setting. You can camp for a maximum of 30 days, and the nightly rate is cheap as chips and includes shower and toilet facilities.

Camping at Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve is $10 a night and has showers and toilets

Moliagul

Turning west onto the Wimmera Highway for 16km, we were excited to visit Moliagul. This hamlet has old-world charm and is considered the heart of Victoria’s goldrush. Famous for being the discovery site of the world’s largest alluvial gold nugget, the ‘Welcome Stranger’ nugget was a whopping 72kg and found in nearby bushland in 1869. There is a monument to the nugget’s discovery at the start of the Welcome Stranger Discovery Walk, an easy 850m self-guided circuit only a short drive from the historic Mount Moligul Hotel (closed for renovations). For a small town, Moliagul has big bragging rights, as it’s also the birthplace of Reverend John Flynn OBE, founder of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

At the start of the Welcome Stranger Discovery WalkReplica of the Welcome Stranger gold nugget discovered in Moliagul in 1869

Uncover the best of the Victorian Goldfields region

After having such a good time exploring the Victorian Goldfields, we felt our road trip was much more than simply visiting a collection of historic towns. From tales of fortune and enchanting heritage streetscapes to fine wines and natural beauty, this remarkable region invites visitors to dig a little deeper. 

Find out more

Bendigo Visitor Information Centre

Open daily, 9am – 4.30pm

51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo

P: 1800 813 153

E: tourism@bendigo.vic.gov.au

Caravan parks

BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Bendigo

15 Heinz Street, White Hills

P: 03 5448 4421

E: bendigo@tasmanholidayparks.com

BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Bendigo made the perfect base for exploring the region

Gold Nugget Tourist Park

293–297 Midland Highway, Epsom

P: 03 5448 4747

E: info@goldnugget.com.au

BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park

761 McIvor Highway, Junortoun

P: 03 5449 3335

E: bendigo@parklanegroup.com.au

BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park

1449 Calder Highway, Marong

P: 03 5435 2329

E: stay@bendigobig4.com.au

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