Fact Sheets & Video - Goldfields

Historically, Bendigo is known for its mines and between 1851 and 1954 an amazing 22 million ounces of gold was retrieved from the Bendigo goldfields.

While the supply of gold has slowed in recent years, The Central Deborah Gold Mine in the middle of town stills hauls gold from the ground every year.

If you are ready to experience life as a miner, then join a tour of the mine. For this you will get kitted up in traditional mining gear and then it's below ground in search of gold.

Once below ground there are 17 levels and 20 kilometres of tunnels to explore and excavate. This is a place where you will learn the ins and outs of gold mining. Back in the 1800s some of the approximate 20,000 miners made a fortune but these days the gold all belongs to the mine. So if you do strike it rich down below the bad news is that you have to hand it back.

Tours of the mines take about two and a half hours and at the end you even get a traditional miner's lunch.

Back in the days when the fields were littered with miners, Cornish Pasties were the miner's meal and not much has changed.

Designed so that the miners did not have wash their hands before eating, the doubled over pastry on the edge of the pastie gave something to hold on while eating and was thrown away once the rest of the pastie was consumed.

Traditionally pasties had meat in one side and something sweet in the other so the miners had a whole meal in just one pastie.

Bendigo also has a rich Chinese history. In the 1800s around 5,000 Chinese people settled in Bendigo and these days the Golden Dragon Museum, on View Street, is full of photos and relics dating back to those golden years.

In the Chinese culture gold and dragons go hand in hand and Bendigo has no shortage of dragons.

The most famous is Sun Loong, a 100 metre long dragon that has 90,000 mirrors stitched into the tail and requires 57 people to carry it.

In a mining town, it doesn't take long to locate a pub and the Shamrock Hotel is a 19th century wonder and peddler of liquid gold. It also offers accommodation to suit all budgets.

And in a town famous for its Chinese heritage it is no surprise that there are some excellent Chinese restaurants and one of the best is the Malayan Orchid.

The facts

Qantas flies to Melbourne daily from all capital cities. Prices start from $212 ex Sydney and $490 ex Perth. Prices include charges, levies and taxes.

Qantas

Tel: 13 13 13

Rooms at the Shamrock hotel start from $70 per night for something pretty basic to $180 for an executive suite with spa bath.

Shamrock Hotel

Tel: 03 5443 0333

Tours of the Central Deborah Mine cost $53 per adult and $28 per child.

Central Deborah Mine & Adventure Tour

Tel: 03 5444 4400

The Golden Dragon Museum is open daily. Entry is $7 for adults and $4 for children.

Golden Dragon Museum

Tel: 03 5441 5044

Malayan Orchid Restaurant

Tel: 03 5442 4411

Bendigo Joss House

Tel: 03 5442 1685

Bendigo Tourism

Tel: 03 5444 4445