Deciding where to stay in Bendigo is not as easy as it sounds. The gorgeous town has beautiful historic architecture and splendid nature. That’s why I believe you should spend at least a couple of nights in the city. In fact, Bendigo has the best hotels and restaurants in the area.
The former mining town is a testament to the famous gold rush that built the country. Today, it is a magnet for tourists from Melbourne and the rest of the country. Australians love it! That’s right, you won’t find many foreign tourists in Bendigo. It’s still pretty much under the radar.
That said, Bendigo is a leafy town of quiet neighborhoods and welcoming locals. Life here has a different pace. You can actually get to know the locals. All you have to do is share a beer or coffee. I’ve been to the area countless times and have all the information you need!
City Center – CBD
My favorite area to stay is the city center or CBD. I’m talking about the area south of Bernard Street, North of Myers Street, east of View Street, and west of Baxter Street. The best luxury hotels in Bendigo are here. The city’s Town Hall from 1859 too.
Victorian architecture lines the city’s main drag: Pall Mall. The city’s art gallery is inside the former Bendigo Post from 1887. The Military Museum from 1921 is a block east. Rosalind Park from the 19th Century is on Pall Mall. The massive park from 1897 has statues, ponds, and children’s games.
Check the Chinese Garden and Victoria’s Oval. Go up the historic Mine Poppet Head and admire the city. The Bendigo Art Gallery is next door. The Ulumbarra Theatre is in the park. The former Sandhurst Gaol from 1860 is now a cultural center. The Golden Dragon Chinese Museum is in front.
The Best Hotels in the City Center:
The Hotel Shamrock
My favorite hotel is the historic Shamrock. The original hotel from 1864 was completely redone in 1897. It’s on Pall Mall, in front of the park. The best rooms have a spa and a balcony with views. The hotel’s bar is a popular meeting point in the city.
Hotel Ernest Bendigo
Hotel Ernest is the only 5-star hotel in the city. It used to be the Commercial Banking Company from 1864. The hotel is in the park, next to Queen’s Victoria Statue. The rooms are big and extra plush. You are going to love the sun terrace and garden.
Around the Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is massive. Actually, it’s one of the biggest temples in Australia. Stay here if you are looking for peace. It’s a low-rise residential neighborhood with tall trees. You can walk to the center in less than 15 minutes.
Construction of the temple began in 1897 and ended in 1977. If you think the temple looks impressive from the outside, wait till you get inside. The nave is 246 feet (75 m) long and 79 feet (24 m) tall. The massive pipe organ is from 1905. I love the park next to the church.
Bendigo’s Presbyterian Church is one block west. St. John’s Cathedral was built in 1874, but a fire destroyed it. The tall brick temple we can see today is from 1897. The temple in front is from 1955. The Forrest Street Uniting Church from 1855 is on the opposite corner.
The Best Hotels around the Cathedral:
Best Western Cathedral Motor Inn
The Best Western Cathedral Motor Inn faces the Sacred Heart temple. Thus, it’s very quiet. The hotel has a garden with a barbecue area and free washing facilities. The best rooms overlook Wattle Square and the Cathedral. Their family suites are great value for money.
City Centre Motel
I love the simple rooms at the City Centre Motel. The best ones are huge and have fantastic balconies with views. The hotel has free onsite parking. You won’t get a better deal for a private room with a private bathroom than here. You can walk to the center in no time.
By the Central Deborah Gold Mine
Bendigo was a forgotten sheep outpost until gold was discovered in the 1850s. The town was called Sandhurst back then. The city’s fortunes changed dramatically, and it got its new name in 1891. The money from the gold mines built the lavish colonial architecture that dots the city.
The Central Deborah Gold Mine is one of Bendigo’s most popular attractions. You can tour a real underground mine! There’s a cool gold museum with original machines and a tower you can climb. It opens every day from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
I strongly recommend riding the historic tram. It connects the Central Deborah Gold Mine with the Bendigo Joss House temple north of the city. The original 19th and early 20th-Century trams stop 4 times along the way. You get to see the entire city and learn about its history.
The Best Hotels by the Central Deborah Gold Mine:
Central Deborah Motel
You can’t get any closer to the mine than at the Central Deborah Motel. The recently refurbished property is next to the mine. It’s on the main street but triple glazed windows make it super quiet. The queen rooms are big and come with a fully equipped kitchen. Free onsite parking.
National Hotel Complex Bendigo
The National Hotel Complex Bendigo is in front. I love its heated pool and hot tub! They have rooms, family suites, apartments, and cottages. All are comfortable and big. The hotel has a very popular bar and restaurant with pool tables and a big garden where you can meet locals.
By the Lake Weeroona
My favorite place in Bendigo is Lake Weerona. The area around the lake is where to stay if you like nature. The lake is approximately 1 mile (1.7 km) from the center. Therefore, you can walk there in 15 minutes. You can also take buses and trams.
It’s a lovely walk south along Bendigo Creek. There’s a park around the lake with pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and games for children. The Bendigo Tennis Center is south of the park. The Weeroona Oval sports center north. Locals flock to the area to socialize and exercise.
You can walk all around the lake. From the lake, walk north to Bendigo Joss House Temple. The Chinese community that migrated to Bendigo during the gold rush built the temple in the 1870s. Keep on walking north along Bendigo Creek until you reach the cemetery. The area around is a natural bush.
The Best Hotels by the Lake Weeroona:
Julie-Anna, Bendigo
The Julie Anna offers the best accommodation near Lake Weeroona. The 4-star property faces the park. It’s got a huge garden and onsite parking. All of the rooms are big and come with an outdoor seating area. The hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor pool.
Tea House Motor Inn
I love the solar-heated outdoor pool and the hot tub at the Tea House Motor Inn. The hotel is opposite the lake and has a huge garden with lounges. It also has free laundry and bbq facilities. All of the rooms are plush. Some have tubs and fully equipped kitchens.
By the Train Station
Bendigo’s train station is a short walk from the center. A fire destroyed the original 1864 station. The one we can see today is a reconstruction from 1965. You will find inexpensive accommodation options next to the station. The area is safe, and there are restaurants and shops.
In fact, the city’s biggest mall is here. Bendigo’s Market Place is medium size shopping mall with a food court and a supermarket. Kids and adults love the Discovery Science and Technology Center next to the station. The area south of the station is a quiet neighborhood with parks.
Local families meet at Palmerson’s square. Ewing Park is a big sports complex. Walk north to the Loddon Mallee Uniting Presbyterian Church. St. Andrew’s Uniting Church from 1870 is next door. Walk east to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral. The massive gothic building is from 1868 though the bell tower is from 1873.
The Best Hotels by the Train Station:
Brougham Arms Hotel
The best hotel near the train station is the Brougham Arms. The hotel is next to Ewing Park. Therefore, you can walk to the center in no time. All of the units come with a fully equipped kitchenette and a seating area. The hotel has a restaurant and free onsite parking.
Bendigo Backpackers
The private rooms at the Bendigo Backpackers are great value for money. The hostel has 6 bedrooms and two bathrooms. You can use the shared kitchen, lounge, and garden with a picnic area. You can park for free! It’s the cheapest accommodation you’ll find in the center.
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