Bendigo tips from a local

Bendigo is on the land of the Dja Dja Wurrung approximately 150 km north-west of Melbourne and can be reached by car or V/Line train.

The Engine Room is situated in the heart of Bendigo’s arts precinct on View St, next to the Capital Theatre and the Bendigo Art Gallery and opposite Latrobe Arts Institute – a short walk from a wealth of cafés, independent shops, parks and other places of interest.

In this guide, you will find information on:

• Transport
• Accommodation
• Restaurants & cafes
• Things to do in Bendigo

How do I get there?

By public transport

The Melbourne to Bendigo V/Line train service takes about two hours.

Train timetables and fares are available at Public Transport Victoria.

The Engine Room is 1km or approximately a 15-minute walk from the Station via Mitchell and View streets.

The nearest bus stop is at the corner of Rowan and View streets. Catch bus 50, 52, 54, 54, 55, or 63 from outside Bendigo Railway station. This is a 6-minute trip.

By car

Travelling by car from Melbourne to Bendigo takes about two hours via the Calder Freeway (M79). The trip from Castlemaine takes about 30 minutes and from Kyneton about one hour.

Parking

Off-street (ticketed) car parking is available at the Rosalind car park, behind The Capital Theatre. Enter via the roundabout at the intersection of View and Ronan Streets.

Short-term on-street car parks are available along View, Ronan, and Mackenzie streets. These fill up quickly, especially on busy days.

Where can I sleepover?

Not far from the Engine Room

• Allawah ($130) – view
• Barclay on View ($154) – view
• City Centre Hotel ($125) – view
• Bendigo Oval Motel ($179 – two double beds) – view
• Mercure Bendigo Schaller ($159) – view
• Best Western Cathedral Hotel ($149) – view
• Alexandra Place ($149) – view

Where can I go for dinner and breakfast?

Places for dinner

• Bunja Thai (32 Pall Mall) – view
• Harpoon Social Club (36 High Street) – view
• Sargun Indian Tandoori (14-16 Pall Mall) – view
• Oishi On Wheels (84 Pall Mall) – view
• The Dispensary (9 Chancery Lane, off Pall Mall) – view
• El Gordo (3 Chancery Lane, off Pall Mall) – view
• Wine Bank On View (45 View St.) – view
• The Rifle Brigade Hotel (137 View St, opposite the Engine Room) – view

Places for breakfast

• Wholefoods Kitchen (314 Lyttleton Terrace) – view
• El Gordo (3 Chancery Lane, off Pall Mall) – view
• Harvest Cafe, Patisserie and Deli (55 View St)

Organic fresh fruit and vege

• Organics Bendigo (320 Lyttleton Terrace) – view

What can I experience if I stay longer?

• City of Bendigo information site

On View St

• Latrobe Art Institute – view
• Bendigo Art Gallery – view
• Dudley House Gallery – view
• Rosalind Park – view

Close by

• Djaara Lights (and augmented reality) – view
• Ulumbarra Theatre – view
• Golden Dragon Museum – view
• Bendigo Karen Grocery Shop – view
• Bendigo Gasworks – view
• Bendigo Creek Trail – view

If you have a car

• Trash Cult – view
• Great Stupa of Universal Compassion – view
• Whipstick National Park – view

Where can I find this important service?

• Pharmacy (24/7 Corner View St and Barnard St) – 0354434610
• Bendigo Taxi and Transport Service, 24/7 – view
• Bendigo Health Hospital – view
• Childminding Services – view

But I just want to take a dive…

• Outdoor swimming pool (161 Barnard St) – view