What to do and see in Bendigo, Victoria: The Best Free Things to do

Experience the largest Buddhist stupa in the Western world. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion situated near Bendigo, Victoria, is the same size and design as The Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet. It rises to a total height of 48 metres above Bendigo’s distinctive bushland, and is 50 metres wide at its base. The Great Stupa is home to many holy objects. Foremost amongst these is the magnificent Jade Buddha for Universal Peace which is the largest Buddha carved from gem quality jade in the world. Wander the Peace Park and see beautiful relics and artworks inside The Great Stupa. Learn about Buddhism, Asian culture and art. Treat yourself with an artisan gift from the shop or have a barista-style coffee and a bite to eat at StupaView Café. It’s a pet friendly site as long as your furry friend is kept on a leash.

Farmers | Growing | Community Providing fresh, regional and seasonal produce direct from the producer in a friendly, relaxed environment. As an accredited market, our stallholders are the growers and makers of what they sell. On the second Saturday of the month at the Bendigo Pony Club, Corner Breen St & Belle Vue Road, Golden Square from 9 am to 1 pm, AND every Thursday at The Good Loaf Sourdough & Bakery from 2pm - 4.30pm.

The Bendigo Visitor Centre is the best place to start your Bendigo experience. It is a one-stop shop for accommodation bookings, event information and bookings, things to do information, historical details and for finding the perfect Bendigo memento.

Situated in the former historic post office building on Pall Mall, Bendigo, Post Office Gallery is a satellite space of Bendigo Art Gallery presenting a dynamic program of exhibitions and events that explore the region’s long and proud history. Drawing on the region’s rich history and archives of seen and unseen treasures, Post Office Gallery showcases artworks, and objects, both domestic and public; letters, personal and official; items modest and significant uniquely in a series of ever changing exhibitions. Under the auspices of Bendigo Art Gallery, the gallery has adopted a unique model of presentation, exploring collections and archives to chronicle the extraordinary stories and histories - personal, regional and universal - of the individuals, groups and events underpinning the city and its inhabitants. History On 30 September 1887, following four years of construction, the Sandhurst Public Offices on Pall Mall were officially opened (during the city’s prosperous gold era), and this grand Renaissance Revival style building operated as the city’s post office for over a century, until Australia Post established their new city facility at the corner of Williamson and Hargreaves Streets in 1996. Since then, the former Post Office has become residence to Bendigo’s tourist information centre, and with its prime position in the heart of town, council recognised an opportunity to put the building to even greater public use by establishing a place for the display and interpretation of the region’s rich and dynamic history. A provincial city recognised for its heritage and culture, Bendigo’s attractions feature many well known institutions, including Bendigo Art Gallery, the Capital Theatre, the Golden Dragon Museum, the Central Deborah Mine and Bendigo Tramway’s Talking Trams. However, to date there has never been a traditional ‘social history’ museum, a venue where significant collections, artefacts and material that explore the broadest possible history of the region can be exhibited and enjoyed. The Post Office Gallery highlights this social history element to the community’s cultural foundation, by providing the residents of the City of Greater Bendigo and its many visitors with a vital focal point for its long and proud history. And by employing a ‘gallery’ model, with a changing annual exhibition program, Post Office Gallery makes possible a continual exploration of the region’s heritage whilst also ensuring operational sustainability, broad engagement, and strong and ongoing community involvement.