Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BENDIGO FOR KIDS
Bendigo has lots of parks, gardens and activities to keep kids happy.
About 4km north of the town centre is the
Ironbark Complex
(Watson St), with three major activities:
Iron-
bark Riding Centre
( 03-5436 1565;
www.bwc.com.au/ironbark
;
1hr/2hr rides $40/70; 8.30am-5pm
Mon-Sat) offers trail rides, riding lessons and the Great Australian Pub Ride to Allies Hotel in Myers Flat (with
lunch $100);
Bendigo Gold World
( 03-5448 4140;
www.bendigogold.com.au
;
half-/full-day tours $280/380;
8.30am-5pm Mon-Sat) has fossicking and detecting tours in the bush with metal detectors, plus gold panning
- with guaranteed gold! - at the mobile gold-panning centre ($12 per hour); and
Bendigo Water World
(
03-5448 4140;
www.bendigowaterworld.com.au
;
admission $3, with unlimited rides $21; 4-7pm Mon-Wed,
noon-8pm Thu & Fri, 10.30am-8pm Sat, 10.30am-6pm Sun), where the 'Big Bendi' waterslide zaps you into a
pool.
www.discovery.asn.au
;
7 Railway Pl; adult/child/family $12.50/9.50/39.50; 10am-4pm), in an old railway
goods shed, has a wide range of interesting and educational exhibits, including a planetarium, science lab and kal-
eidoscope.
A complete kids' entertainment complex, the
Zone
(
www.thezone.net.au
; 1 Gildea Lane; admission from $20;
3.30-8pm Mon-Thu, noon-10pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 10am-8pm Sun), has a playground, mini golf, go-kart-
ing and paintball.
Confectionery Capers
( 0458 650 003, 03-5449 3111;
www.confectionerycapers.com
; 1028 McIvor Hwy,
Junortoun; adult/child/family $8/5/20; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 1-5pm Sun), 8km southeast of town, is an amaz-
ing display of whirls, whizzes, word plays and oddball machines: Barbie dolls in a line? A tree in a toilet? You
have to go there for it all to make sense…
Festivals & Events
Easter Festival
Bendigo's major festival
( Mar or Apr)
attracts thousands with its carnival atmosphere and
colourful and noisy procession of Chinese dragons, led by Sun Loong, the world's longest
imperial dragon.
CARNIVAL
Bendigo Cup
(
HORSE RACING
Oct-Nov)
Part of the Spring Racing Carnival.
Swap Meet
(
www.bendigoswap.com.au
;
Nov)
For enthusiasts in search of that elusive vintage-car spare
part. It's so popular that accommodation is at a premium.
VINTAGE CARS
