Spotlight on Bendigo

March 02, 2021

Spotlight on Bendigo

Plan a memorable reward program that takes in all that the City of Greater Bendigo has to offer. A mere two hours north west of Melbourne’s city centre, the wonderful contrasts of Bendigo’s vibrant arts hub, flourishing food and wine scene set against its rich history, grand architecture and magnificent gardens can be explored.

Here are some of the best places to explore with colleagues on your next corporate reward program and discover why this town is a standout cultural hub. 

What better way to see the sights of Bendigo than aboard an iconic Vintage Talking Tram. Delight with a one-of-a-kind experience as either part of a tour or a unique event venue. It’s the quickest way to gain bearings, learn about Bendigo's history and see the city's beautiful streetscapes and historic buildings where impact of the gold rush is still evident today.

Discover Bendigo’s vibrant art scene at Australia’s largest regional gallery, the Bendigo Art Gallery.  Guided tours of the impressive permanent collection of Australian and International artworks provide insight into artists and stories behind each piece. Consider holding your next conference in the Gallery’s Sculpture Annexe that overlooks the beautiful Rosalind Park.

Don a miner's hat and dig up a wealth of goldrush history on a tour of the Central Deborah Mine. Guided tours take place through the honeycomb-like tunnels on level two (61 metres beneath the surface), an Underground Adventure Tour takes place on level three and, at 228 metres underground, Nine Levels of Darkness is Australia’s deepest underground mine tour.

Explore the city's Chinese heritage at the Golden Dragon Museum on a group tour. In the mid-1800s, 20 per cent of Bendigo’s population hailed from China. They came as miners and merchants, bringing their customs, culture and beliefs to the goldfields.

Looking for fun and memorable team building idea? Get behind the wheel at Australia's oldest working pottery, Bendigo Pottery. Book a group lesson with an experienced potter to learn about the history of Bendigo’s Pottery and how to throw a wheel. The Interpretive Museum built around the old kilns and contains displays of equipment used over the years and product made at the pottery since 1858.

Bendigo and the region is the first city in Australia to be recognised by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy thanks to the region’s rich concentration of food and wine culture.  Book a team meal to remember at the hatted Masons of Bendigo that captures the essence of central Victorian produce with its paddock to plate philosophy. Alternatively, dine at Rocks on Rosalind  and see who in your team once seated amidst original stone clad vaults, can spot the bullet hole in the front window from a long-ago robbery.

Extend the business trip to allow time to visit some of the 80 local wineries in the renowned Bendigo and Heathcote wine regions.  Nestled among the vineyards sits one Bendigo’s oldest winery, Balgownie Estate Winery, Retreat and Restaurant. Offering choice of contemporary homestead accommodation, luxury glamping and historic cellar door wine tastings. Located in the heart of Victoria's Central Shiraz wine region, your team can reconnect with nature from private desks with the uninterrupted views of the vineyards or convene in the private boardroom and conference room for up to 10 delegates.

For more inspiring ideas, visit Melbourne Convention Bureau’s (MCB) Itinerary Inspiration page or find out how MCB can support you or search for suppliers that can provide exclusive experiences that create lasting impressions.