Things to Do in Bendigo with Kids – Regional Family Getaway

If you are looking for an easy family getaway from Melbourne Bendigo surprised us in the best way. Located just under two hours from Melbourne in regional Victoria, Bendigo is packed with gold rush history, beautiful parks, hands on attractions and a great food scene.

We spent 4 days in Bendigo over the school holidays, and packed so much in over that time. This guide shares the best things to do in Bendigo with kids, based on our own experience, with a mix of must see attractions and simple moments that made the trip special.

Bendigo, Victoria – Family Getaway

Bendigo is incredibly easy to explore with kids. Most attractions are close together, and it is simple to get around with a car or even on the city tram. There’s a great mix of indoor and outdoor experiences to suit everyone.

We found three nights / four days was the perfect amount of time to see everything at a relaxed pace, without rushing from place to place.

We based ourselves at the Juliana Inn which is directly across from Lake Weeroona. We stayed in a family room which had a queen room with small lounge, and a twin room for the kids.

There is a courtyard with a pool too, perfect if you visit in the warmer months. The location was perfect as in our down time we could take a walk around the lake or head to the playground up the road.

Best Things to Do in Bendigo with Kids

Bendigo Pottery

Bendigo Pottery is Australia’s oldest working pottery and we headed here on our first day before checking into our accommodation.

There are different workshops you can join. We did a glazing workshop where you can choose between a mug, plate or bowl to glaze and get creative with whatever design you like. We all made a mug each as a keepsake. The workshop goes for an hour, and you have your products shipped out to you within around 3-4 weeks.

This was a fun activity to start our trip and one of our absolute favourite experiences. It is definitely something we would recommend to anyone visiting Bendigo with kids.

Read our full review here>> Bendigo Pottery

Golden Dragon Museum

Home of the largest imperial dragon in the world, The Golden Dragon Museum is one of Bendigo’s most iconic attractions and gives a really interesting look into the city’s Chinese heritage.

I have wanted to visit this place for years but it is a long way for a day trip for us, so it was great to be able to check it out during our trip. We spent a morning here and it was lovely.

The displays are colourful and engaging, and seeing the famous imperial dragon up close is a definite highlight. It’s not an overwhelming museum, which makes it ideal with kids, and it adds a nice cultural element to the trip.

The gardens outside are stunning too, the colours are beautiful and it is so peaceful walking around enjoying the atmosphere. Lots of colourful photo ops.

Bendigo Vintage Talking Tram + Depot Tour

Bendigo Vintage Talking Tram Tour with Kids

The Vintage Talking Tram is one of the easiest and most fun ways to explore Bendigo, especially with kids. The hop-on hop-off format means you can move around the city without worrying about parking, and the commentary is simple enough for kids to follow along.

You don’t need to get off, in fact we didn’t we stayed on and ride around the town listening and learning about the city. The ride went for about 45mins.

We also did the guided depot tour when we got back which was really interesting and worth adding on if you have time. Our guide was fantastic, so passionate about his job, and our kids really enjoyed seeing all of the old trams at the depot.

We had lunch at the Tram café on site which was super cute. They do an all day simple breakfast menu with toasties, pastries, muffins etc. Nice food and great atmosphere and something different to the norm.

It seems to change theme each season as we saw a floral theme a while back but when we visited it was LEGO theme which the kids loved.

Central Deborah Gold Mine

This was a standout experience during our family trip to Bendigo, and one the kids will remember as you go underground into a real gold mine, 61 metres!

It is both and exciting and educational experience, and the tour is very well run. It gives a real sense of Bendigo’s gold rush history in a way that feels immersive rather than just informational.

The mines are dark so you are provided with a helmet with a light. There is an elevator that takes you underground where you explore the underground with a guide.

The kids got to join in on some of the demonstrations which was great, definitely an experience not to miss, and worth heading to Bendigo just for this one!

Read our full review here>>> Gold Mine Tour Bendigo

Discovery Science and Technology Centre

The Discovery Science and Technology Centre is a great indoor option, especially if you need a break from the weather or want something hands-on.

They have science shows at certain times which are fun and engaging, and the kids loved trying out the famous vertical slide. There’s plenty to explore with interactive exhibits throughout, making it easy to spend a couple of hours here.

The Zone Fun Park

The Zone Fun Park is perfect if your kids just want to have fun and burn off some energy. We spent a whole afternoon here doing a bit of everything.

From dodgem cars and roller skating to a full 18 holes of mini golf outside, there was lots of friendly family competition! The go karts were definitely a highlight and a great way to finish off. They have an outdoor track with go karts for kids and adults.

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

A short drive out of town, the Great Stupa is something completely different and well worth visiting. It is the largest Buddhist stupa in the Western world. At 48 meters high and 50 meters wide, it is designed to last 1,000 years and replicates the Gyantse Stupa in Tibet.

The scale of it is impressive, and the grounds are calm and peaceful, making it a nice change of pace from the busier attractions. There is a café that serves up breakfast, so we did this first thing in the morning before exploring the grounds.

Rosalind Park

One of the best parts of Bendigo is simply walking around and taking it all in. We loved wandering through Rosalind Park, so beautiful and easy to explore with kids.

The Bendigo sign at the Piazza is a great quick photo stop, and there are plenty of paths to just stroll around.

The kids loved watching the bats fly around the park and spotting them up in the trees. There is also a huge playground within the park as well.

Bendigo Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are perfect when you need some downtime. There’s plenty of space for kids to run around, a playground, and lots of shaded areas to relax. It’s a great spot to slow things down between activities.

Lake Weeroona & Playground

Lake Weeroona ended up being one of our favourite easy spots in Bendigo, especially because we were staying just across the road. It was so convenient to pop over whenever we had some downtime, and we actually found ourselves walking around the lake a few times during our stay.

The loop around the lake is flat and perfect for a casual stroll, scooters or bikes, and it’s a really nice way to start or finish the day. There is a massive playground and the kids loved kicking around the soccer ball, there’s plenty of open to run around. There are often coffee trucks set up nearby too, which was perfect for a morning walk.

Where to Eat in Bendigo

Bendigo has a great food scene, and there are some really solid family-friendly options.

Whitby:
Great spot for breakfast or even just a coffee to start your day. They also do lunch too. Right on Lake Weeroona with indoor and outdoor seating looking over the lake.

Old Green Bean Café:
Another one near Lake Weeroona, they have all day breakfast and lunch options.

Maddam’n Jude’s:
They do a great breakfast and it is also worth visiting for dinner if you’re there for their BBQ Fridays.

Peppergreen Farm:
Fresh baked goods, perfect for a breakfast or lunch. Delicious pastries and deserts.

Tram Café:
Cute setting in a refurbished tram. The theme changes seasonally. Great spot to grab an easy coffee, breakfast or lunch. Seating inside the tram and also outside.

Malayan Orchid:
A standout dinner option if you like Malasian food. They have generous portions and delicious meals.

Cantina Mexicana:
Easy casual dinner option for families. They serve up typical Mexican food.

Final Thoughts

Bendigo is an easy destinations for a weekend getaway. It’s close to Melbourne, affordable, and has a really good mix of activities that genuinely appeal to both kids and adults.

If you’re looking for a school holiday trip or a simple weekend away with kids, Bendigo is definitely worth adding to your list.

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