With its rich history, art, culture and regional charm, Bendigo is a good place to live. Enjoy the best of both worlds with the hustle and bustle of a city and the serenity of relaxed country living. A great place to raise a family, Bendigo is close to Melbourne but still has a sense of country community, affordable living and wonderful amenities. Named one of regional Australia’s most liveable cities in 2020, Bendigo is a wonderful place to live, study and work.
Benefits of Living in Bendigo
A goldrush boom town in Victoria’s heartland, Bendigo boasts magnificent architecture, a rich cultural heritage, and a relaxed and affordable lifestyle. With its mix of history, culture and modern living, Bendigo is an enticing place to live. While Bendigo’s goldmining heritage is impressive, there are a plethora of modern, innovative and lifestyle benefits of living in Bendigo.
Affordable Living
Bendigo is more affordable than living in a big city, affording a comfortable lifestyle at the fraction of the cost. Everything from real estate prices to everyday expenses and the overall cost of living is lower than a city like Melbourne.
Real Estate Prices
- Real estate prices for both buying and renting are markedly lower in Bendigo as compared to Melbourne. House and land packages at Harlowe start at just $493,000 compared to Melbourne with an average price of $800,000 for a similar size house and land package.
- House and apartment prices in Bendigo and Melbourne are also vastly different.
| Apartment cost per square metre to buy | Bendigo | Melbourne |
| Apartment in city centre | $3,500 to $5,500 AUD | $10,877.36 AUD |
| Apartment outside city centre | $2,500 to $3,500 AUD | $8,365.88 AUD |
Transport Savings
- Petrol and transportation tends to cost less in regional areas like Bendigo than metropolitan areas. Lack of competition in regional locations can sometimes keep prices to a minimum. Parking in Bendigo is usually free and many people save on petrol as time on the road is less.
Cost of Living Savings
- General cost of living savings are much higher in Bendigo with Bendigo reported as 6.1% cheaper to live in than Australia overall. Groceries are 10.2% cheaper in Bendigo and sport and entertainment is 1.3% less than the Australian average. Even clothing costs 0.5% less for those living in Bendigo.
Arts and Culture
Bendigo has a rich arts and culture scene with events, festivals, galleries and theatre. As regional Victoria’s premier arts destination, Bendigo is becoming increasingly popular for its cultural and creative pursuits with street art, sculptures, murals and installations.
Art Galleries and Museums
- Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia. Audiences come from around Australia to our innovative international exhibitions, public programs and events.
- Golden Dragon Museum is a living history of the Chinese people in Bendigo from the goldrush to the present day.
Street Art
- Bendigo Street Art is another colourful and vibrant part of the city with murals and sculptures dotted throughout the township. Artists bring their projects alive on the streets, walls and buildings with sculptures, murals and installations.
Festivals
- Bendigo Easter Festival held over the Easter long weekend transforms Bendigo’s beautiful Rosalind Park and surrounding streets into a vibrant precinct bursting with family-friendly entertainment.
Theatre
- The Ulumbarra Theatre is a redevelopment of the gaol, which operated from 1863 until 2004. These days it is an extraordinary arts and community facility and events venue that cleverly fuses heritage-listed 1860s penitentiary architecture and contemporary design. The Ulumbarra Theatre boasts performances by major national and international performing artists and touring companies.
- The Capital Theatre boasts a modern stage and state of the art technical facilities in a magnificent auditorium featuring ornate Victorian plaster-work and recently refurbished seating. It hosts over 200 performances and exhibitions each year.
Community Atmosphere
Bendigo is known for its community atmosphere with welcoming locals, community events for everyone, inclusive philosophy, social groups and local clubs. The locals enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere that reaches through to the schools, neighbourhoods and local businesses. Whether volunteering, running social groups or working in local clubs, there is a feeling of connectedness, fellowship and inclusion. Bendigo offers various family-oriented activities and amenities, making it ideal for families to become part of the community. Events like farmers markets and festivals make it easy for people to come together and get involved.
Outdoor Adventures and Activities
Lovers of outdoor adventures will be spoilt for choice in Bendigo with its hiking, cycling and walking trails, water activities, adventure playgrounds, parks, gardens and the goldfields waiting to be explored. Hike, ride your bike or pan for gold, have a picnic at one of Bendigo’s many manicured parks and gardens. Take a day trip to Lake Weeroona and Lake Neangar or further afield to Lake Eppalock and the Campaspe River for keen fishermen.
Hiking, Cycling and Walking Trails
- Hike, cycle or bushwalk across iconic Australian bushland with iconic trails including the Goldfields Track, O’Keefe Rail Trail, Skipton Rail Trail, Castlemaine to Maldon Rail Trail and the Maryborough to Ballarat Trail. For mountain bike enthusiasts, check out the Ba Gauwa Mountain Bike Park which has 34 kms of trails, breathtaking mountain views and unique rock formations.
Day Trips
- Take a day trip to Lake Weeroona and Lake Neangar or further afield to Lake Eppalock and the Campaspe River for keen fishermen. Explore the goldfields with the Central Deborah Gold Mine, Castlemaine, and the Victorian Goldfields Railway.
Water Activities
- Bendigo’s lakes and reservoirs are at your fingertips for fishing, swimming and boating. Head out on the water at Campaspe River or swim under the gum trees at the Bridgewater on Loddon. The township has 12 swimming centres, a family splash park, and Aquatic Centre for fun summer days with the family.
Bendigo’s Natural Beauty
Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, Bendigo is a natural and beautiful oasis with national parks, and beautiful country landscapes just a short drive away. Take a stroll through Rosalind Park, where you can admire the historic conservatory and enjoy the tranquillity of Lake Weeroona, offering a peaceful retreat within the city. The city has a number of beautiful parks and gardens to enjoy, making it the perfect place for nature lovers. Stroll through the Botanical Gardens and then venture to the Yi Yuan Gardens. Based on the Imperial Palace in Beijing, these Chinese gardens are tranquil and authentic in every way, featuring a Buddhist Temple, manicured gardens and water features.
Location
Just 150km from Melbourne, and in the heartland of Victoria’s goldmining country, Bendigo offers the best of both worlds with rural living and modern amenities. Situated north-west of Melbourne, Bendigo is the third most populous city in regional Victoria, and an important city for the Victorian economy.
Food and wine scene
Image: Woodhouse Bar and Grill, Bendigo
Bendigo is Australia’s first-ever designated UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy. The title recognises Bendigo’s unique food and beverage scene, which the city continues to produce with local gourmet foods and wines. From intimate restaurants to cafes, bars, pubs and wineries, Bendigo has something to satisfy every taste.
Food
- Acclaimed by The Age Good Food Guide, Victorian Tourism Awards, Restaurant and Caterers Association Awards, Woodhouse Bar and Grill is Bendigo’s only dedicated steakhouse. The carefully selected menu includes their signature regionally-sourced charcuterie selection, fresh local produce, and a delicious range of desserts. Wagyu beef is their signature dish, providing diners with the ultimate showcase and selection of premium F1 Wagyu and free range dry-aged beef, sourced from and both local and regional Australian farms.
- A small and intimate restaurant, the Dispensary Bar and Diner offers a regularly changing contemporary menu with a focus on discerning local sourced and seasonal produce. Whether it’s a degustation menu or simply cocktails after a show, the Dispensary Bar and Diner delivers a range of unique experiences, each with a story to match and the widest range of drink choices in the region featuring delicious craft beers, an envious selection of single malt whiskies, world class gins, classic and contemporary cocktails.
- Set in the basement of the old school hall at MacKenzie Quarters, Ms Batterhams has been converted into a sophisticated, yet unpretentious, lounge bar. Perfectly positioned in the arts precinct, Ms Batterhams has a refined wine list, locally-inspired cocktails and a wide selection of craft beers and alcohol-free options.
Wine and Distilleries
- Located 5 minutes south of Bendigo at the foothills of Mount Alexander sits St. Anne’s Winery. The estate also offers a number of picturesque event spaces from an indoor, outdoor or garden setting, to our sprawling shed complete with granite floors and rustic chandeliers. St Annes offers wine tastings, platters and pizza.
- Sandhurst Ridge produces award-winning handcrafted wines. The picturesque vineyard and imposing winery. The family-run, boutique winery has been producing award-winning wines since their first vintage in 1995.
Education
Bendigo has excellent education facilities from primary and secondary to tertiary. Bendigo has a number of excellent primary and secondary schools, as well as a number of higher education institutions including La Trobe University and the Bendigo TAFE. This makes it a great place to raise a family or continue your own education.
Infrastructure
Bendigo is serviced by several Public Transport Victoria services such as the local bus network and V/Line buses and trains. Local bus transport covers 16 main routes. Travelling from Bendigo, V/Line can take you to Melbourne, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca, Daylesford in comfort and safety. For those driving, Bendigo to Melbourne, the main road is the Calder Highway, which takes about one hour and 50 minutes..
The Climate
Located on the northern fringe of the Great Dividing Range, Bendigo enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. The ideal place to live, there are no extremes in weather and averages 240 rain free days per year. With January temperatures of about 29 degrees and 12 degrees in July, the variation between the seasons is very pleasant. It is one of the few places in Australia where you can enjoy all four seasons. Enjoy the best of outdoor living and better health in the mild Bendigo climate.
Real Estate-House and Land
Bendigo is the perfect place to build your dream home. The Bendigo real estate market has consistently demonstrated stability and growth, making it an attractive option for real estate investors. Bendigo has a wide range of lot sizes and house and land packages to suit every style and budget. Harlowe at Huntly affords the chance to enjoy a rural backdrop and the peace of nature while being within easy reach of the Bendigo community.