Grange and I recently had a lovely weekend away in beautiful Bendigo.
Known for its gold rush history and as an art hub of country Victoria, Bendigo is a lovely place for a weekend away.
There was plenty of good food, drink, fun and entertainment to be had, and we thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
So if you’re thinking of visiting Bendigo soon, here are some tips on where to stay, where to eat and what to do during your stay.
STAY
The Schaller Studio – Part of the Art Series Hotels group, The Schaller Studio is the perfect place to stay when in Bendigo. It is walking distance from the city centre so it is super convenient and beautiful to boot.
Drawing inspiration from Bendigo’s creative culture and history, the hotel features original artworks by Australian Artist Mark Schaller. It is colourful and uplifting, and has great communal spaces for relaxing with family or friends.
The rooms are a little small, but they are clean, quiet and the beds are super comfortable.
Will definitely be heading back here on our next stay. You can book your stay here.
EAT & DRINK
Masons of Bendigo – Our experience at Masons of Bendigo was so good that I cannot stop thinking about it. We took a gamble booking on the day and missed out on the dinner sitting but headed there for a long Saturday lunch instead. We opted for the lunch roaming menu at $35.50 a head which was absolutely delicious. Some favourites were the Truffle Potato Croquettes, Geroge’s Zucchini Flowers and Crispy Fried Flathead Tails. I legitimately am already planning a return to Bendigo if only so that we can give the dinner roaming menu a go. Make sure you book. You won’t regret it.
Rocks on Rosalind – On our first night (after seeing a show) we had a very late ‘dinner’ at Rocks on Rosalind. The kitchen was already closing but the friendly team invited us in for an epic charcuterie board and cheese platter. The restaurant is housed in the historic National Bank building, with stone clad vaults and all included. A modern and beautiful interior and seriously good service. The bubbly was nice too!
The Dispensary – If you’re after some delicious wine, definitely head to the Dispensary on Chancery Lane. We enjoyed a lovely Pinot Noir suggested by the very friendly and helpful Sam. The bar & diner is open 7 days a week and also serves breakfast, snacks and dinner.
Four Ponies – We visited Four Ponies for a couple of quick cocktails, and it was buzzing on the Saturday night. A great vibe and wonderful service. We didn’t eat here on this visit unfortunately, but I have it on good authority that the food here is also trés good.
Percy and Percy – If you’re after a hearty breakfast or brunch Percy and Percy is the perfect place to visit. Grange oped for the Mushrooms on Toast (which were so much extra than the name suggests) and I devoured the Persian Eggs. Although if I am honest I had my eyes on the Salted Caramel Pancakes but resisted the urge…. maybe next time. The coffee was also great!
ENTERTAINMENT
Bendigo Art Gallery – No trip to Bendigo is complete without a visit to the Bendigo Art Gallery. They have an extensive and great collection of European and Australian art (both classical and contemporary) and always have great international shows exhibiting at any given time. Currently they are showing the exhibition “The Costume Designer: Edith Head and Hollywood” which was worth the trip itself.
The Capital Theatre – Whilst in Bendigo make sure you see a show at The Capital Theatre. We thoroughly enjoyed The Umbilical Brothers: Speed Mouse. Head to the Capital Theatre website for information on upcoming shows.
Image via The Meadow
SHOP
The Meadow – The Meadow is located in the hub of Bendigo’s arts precinct. Housing both international and local designers for all of your fashion needs. There is something for everyone (both menswear and womenswear) and great labels to choose like Bul, Mesop, Alpha 60, Cheap Monday and much more.
Gathered – Gathered is a cute little homewares shop that sits next door to The Meadow and houses a range of both locally made and globally sourced homewares. From artworks & ceramics to soft furnishings & fashion accessories, it is the perfect place to get a gift for someone or to treat yourself or your home.
Robe – Nestled in Chancery Lane, Robe has a great collection of modern womenswear including labels like Elka Collective, Jac + Jack, Flux Melbourne, Rollie Nation, Cable, Status Anxiety and more.
There are a few things which we ran out of time to do this time around, like visiting the Golden Dragon Museum, jumping on the Bendigo tram, or visiting the botanical gardens and wineries around the region. However we enjoyed our weekend getaway so much that we will definitely be back for more!
Have you been to Bendigo? What are some of the fun things you would recommend to try out on our next visit? Let me know in the comments below.
There’s a monthly gay night at the Shamrock Hotel if you’re LGBTIQ-inclined. It’s called Fab Friday and it’s a lot of fun. And coffee-wise you can’t go past El Gordo, Cortille, Old Green Bean and Brewhouse.