A lastminute getaway to Bendigo

Do you think of beautiful mansions dating back to the 1800s, lush parklands, trendy cafes, shops and restaurants that rival Sydney and Melbourne?
No? You’re not alone. Until recently, Bendigo for me was just a small country town that found fame in the time of the Australian gold rush. But with an open mind and plenty of curiosity, I was quickly educated on the regional Victorian city (yep, city!).

Arriving early on a sunny Saturday morning, lastminute lovely Adiba and I are excited to explore somewhere new, especially when it means leaving dreary Sydney behind us. The weather gods are on our side!

We are blown away by the architecture and the lush green gardens that surround the city. The impressive buildings date back to the time of the gold rush (1850-1900) when people found gold and made it big. As a result, their houses grew larger to reflect their wealth.

Something I find interesting is the large Chinese population in Bendigo, who immigrated during the gold rush. To celebrate the importance of Chinese culture in Bendigo’s history, there is a Chinese precinct in the city, as well as an annual parade at Easter time, where an imperial Chinese dragon is paraded through the streets. The Bendigo Easter Festival attracts thousands each year.

While in Bendigo, here are a few things that you just HAVE to do:

Where to eat

Mason’s of Bendigo

A mere fifteen months old, Mason’s of Bendigo is equally as good, if not better, than many high-end restaurants in Sydney. And believe me; I’ve been to a few – case in point here and here.
We are treated to a delicious selection of local produce that begins with Tataki of Warialda eye fillet, golden beets, bonito mayonnaise, kipfler chips and fried onion, and ends with organic lemon tart with orange blossom Turkish delight, lemon curd and lemon macaroons. We match this with a drop of local Bendigo wine – Shiraz Viogner, which complements the dinner perfectly.

The prices are reasonable and the service, exceptional. Not only do I suggest a visit, but I would recommend a trip to Bendigo just for this restaurant! But of course I do have more recommendations… ;).

Percy and Percy
An old corner store, Percy and Percy has been repurposed into a rustic cafe that lives on a leafy residential street. This makes it seem like a local’s secret that we happen to stumble upon. And I’m so glad we do!

With good coffee, great breakfast and a display fridge full of delectable treats, this cafe is a must in Bendigo – but get there early because it fills up quickly!

Borchelli Ristorante
Chequered red and white tablecloths can either mean authenticity or tackiness and I’m very pleased to find that Borchelli Ristorante is the former – an authentic Italian restaurant situated in the centre of Bendigo.

With a huge selection of pizzas, pastas, mains and salads, you could come here every day and eat something different. And its close proximity to vintage shops and the Art Gallery mean the choice is easy.

Where to drink

Wine Bank on View
A short walk from Borchelli Ristorante, Wine Bank on View is exactly what it sounds like; a wine bar in a bank. Or a bank of wine? Well, both really. Wine Bank fames itself on having over 1000 different types of wine – an accolade that few can claim.

The place is packed on a Saturday evening, and as we score ourselves a seat with a view of the Bendigo Art Gallery, we realise we’re on to a good thing. Ordering a glass of local wine each (a Shiraz for myself and a Pinot Gris for Adiba), we settle in to the balmy evening. Be sure not to skip this one!

Brewhouse Coffee Roasters
Brewhouse Coffee Roasters don’t sell wine, but they do sell great coffee that they roast on site. And with Bonsoy on hand? That’s all it takes to win me over.
All coffees come with information on where the beans come from and the process they’ve gone through. This is a small detail that rarely accompanies my morning coffee, and one that I really appreciate. You can tell a lot of love has gone into this place.

Where to stay

Quest Bendigo Central
Quest Bendigo Central is conveniently located just minutes from the centre of town, and at only twelve months old, it makes for a very stylish stay.
We are spoilt with two bottles of Bendigo’s finest wine and a sample pack of chocolates from local chocolaterie, Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates upon our arrival. Yum!

Comfy beds, modern decor and small touches like the ‘grab and go’ breakfast packs, as well as the friendly service, make Quest Bendigo Central a no-brainer.

What to do

Bendigo Art Gallery
Established in 1887, Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the largest and oldest regional galleries in Australia. It’s rapidly gaining worldwide attention as many exhibitions are moving straight from London and Paris to Bendigo, making it a national attraction in its own right.

The Gallery’s collection is extensive with an emphasis on 19th century European art and Australian art from the 1800’s. There’s also a variety of newer exhibitions including Grace Kelly: Style Icon, which drew over 150,000 people through its doors.

The Gallery is currently showing the Modern Love exhibition that recounts the most instrumental fashion designs and designers over the last 40 years. Modern Love runs through to the 2nd of February, 2014. Want to know more? lastminute lovely Adiba reviews it here.
Bendigo Pottery
At over 150 years old, Bendigo Pottery is the oldest working pottery in Australia, and has one of the most significant collections of historic, wood-fired kilns in the world. No longer used, the ten old kilns are now part of the Interpretative Museum and one of the circular kilns has been converted into a theatrette. You can sit inside the kiln to watch films that recount the history of Bendigo Pottery.

After being taken on a tour of the enormous warehouse, gallery and store at the Pottery, Adiba and I have our very own wheel-throwing lesson (AKA pottery lesson). It looks easy, but believe me – it’s harder than it looks! Or was that just me?

Over to you! Have you been to Bendigo? Do you have any tips?