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Offered languages
- English
Discover Bendigo on an inspiring small-group journey that brings the city’s gold-rush past and cultural landmarks vividly to life. This award-winning tour explores the stories, people and places that shaped one of the world’s great 19th-century boomtowns. Walk the historic Chinese Diggings and try your hand at panning for real gold before visiting the breathtaking Sacred Heart Cathedral, one of Australia’s tallest and most impressive Gothic churches. Travel on to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, the largest Buddhist stupa in the Western world, where peaceful gardens and sacred art offer a powerful moment of reflection. Along the way, your expert local guide shares unforgettable stories of ambition, migration, triumph and transformation. Comfortable transport, rich storytelling and three iconic stops make this the perfect introduction to Bendigo’s remarkable heritage. Proudly awarded Best New Tourism Business in Victoria and finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo, 3550. Pick up available from local Hotels.
Meet in front of Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo, 3550.
Itinerary
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1
At this rare surviving 1850s diggings site, guests walk among original mine shafts and learn how both European and Chinese miners worked the goldfields. Your guide explains the lives, hardships and remarkable successes of Bendigo’s early Chinese community and their role in shaping Dai Gum San (“Big Gold Mountain”). The stop also includes a hands-on gold panning activity using real gold-bearing paydirt, giving guests an authentic taste of gold-rush life.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Here guests step inside one of Australia’s tallest and most spectacular Gothic cathedrals. The guide shares the extraordinary story of Reverend Backhaus, whose unexpected wealth helped fund the project, and the European craftsmen who completed the intricate stonework. Visitors explore the soaring interior, admire stained glass and carvings, and enjoy time for photography inside this architectural masterpiece.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
This visit offers a peaceful and inspiring experience at the largest Buddhist stupa in the Western world. Guests stroll the tranquil Peace Park, see sacred artworks and learn about the 1,000-year vision behind the Stupa’s construction. The highlight is viewing the world-renowned Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, making this stop a powerful blend of culture, spirituality and storytelling.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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