6 ways Bendigo is blooming this spring

As the days get warmer and the skies get brighter, more than 53,000 tulips will open up to paint a rainbow across Bendigo’s heritage main street. The City of Greater Bendigo’s parks and gardens team work hard each year to curate a vibrant display that kicks off spring with a bloom. The main free displays are located along Pall Mall in the Conservatory Gardens and Queen Victoria Gardens, as well as at the Civic Gardens near Bendigo Town Hall. For those who like to venture into the ’burbs, there’ll also be displays at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park and the Bendigo Botanic Gardens in White Hills. From September 15 until October 1, the tulips will also be transformed into a kaleidoscopic light walk called Bloom After Dark. 

Bendigo and surrounds was crowned Australia’s first UNESCO city of gastronomy in 2019, and the golden city will certainly live up to the title this spring. From walking wine events to progressive dinners and animal blessings, there’ll be plenty to delight your taste buds. 

Buckle up for a sensory journey on Wednesday, October 4 as you join the Flavour Trail: A Gastronomic Adventure. Four outstanding Bendigo restaurants (including two that have hats) have joined forces to create a wine-matched progressive dinner, the first edition of which has already sold out. Get a special view of nine of Bendigo’s charming heritage buildings with the Heritage and Hidden Spaces Wine Walk on Saturday, October 21; or sample new release wines at the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival on the weekend of October 7-8. If your tastes reside more on the saccharine side, then the Sunday Sweet Session on Sunday, October 29 should be just your style. This pop-up sweet market will bring together Central Victorian sweet makers at the grand Beehive Building.

Learn to appreciate the rich Indigenous culture and history of Dja Dja Wurrung Country (aka Bendigo and surrounds), when you head off on one of the brand new tours run by Dumawul.  Your knowledgeable Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung people) guide will deepen your understanding of the local landscape and delve into the significance of Djandak (Country). 

The 90-minute Ulumbarra CBD walking tour explores culturally significant sites within the CBD, starting at the Ulumbarra Theatre and ending at Bendigo TAFE. At night, view the Djaara Lights. This self-guided walk highlights Dja Dja Wurrung culture in the Bendigo region through combining the display of Djaara artwork and augmented reality experiences along the Bendigo Creek.

Craving a mental refresh? Bendigo is playing host to a slate of soul-enriching events this spring, sure to inspire laughter and reflection in equal measure. First up is Zinda Festival, a celebration of multicultural food, music and art on Saturday, October 7. Next up is Bendigo Comedy Festival, which will see a spectacular line-up of comedians take over Central Victorian stages from October 11-15. Gillian Cosgrif, winner of this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s most outstanding show, will perform Actually, Good at the Engine Room. You can also catch Have You Been Paying Attention regular Alex Ward at the very same venue. 

If you’re looking for something free and family-friendly, the Vegecareian Festival is all about loving vegetarian food, animals and life. Feel free to bring your pets along to this event at the Great Stupa – the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world – where you can even have them blessed by a monk. Create your own itinerary at the Bendigo Yoga Festival on the weekend of October 28-29. There’ll be lots of types of yoga to try, including vinyasa, yin, hatha and more. 

Both Bendigo and Heathcote are celebrating Oktoberfest in bold Bavarian style this spring. Head to Bendigo’s MacKenzie Quarters on Friday, October 6 to see the restored 145-year-old building transformed into a beer hall for one night only. It’ll be a night of beer, music, friends and tasty food to celebrate Bavarian culture. If boutique beer is your thing, you'll love the Craft Beer Oktoberfest event at Bendigo Trades Hall on Saturday, October 14. You'll score a special ceramic stein on arrival, which you can use to sample local brews.  

Make the short trip down the road to Shiraz Republic on Sunday, October 22 for an Oktoberfest gathering focused on the enduring connection between agriculture and beer. Expect traditional German-style beers brewed onsite by Cornella Brewery, alongside pretzels and German sausages with all the fixings. 

Step on board Bendigo’s most exclusive pop-up bar when the Groove Tram rolls into town on every second Saturday from August 26. That’s right, one of Bendigo’s famous heritage trams has been upgraded into a world of pure entertainment, where musical performances, fine wine and local views are the order of the night. Enjoy Bendigo’s picturesque views as the city’s finest musicians take to the floor, making every night a distinct journey. Simply hop on at Alexandra Fountain and enjoy the ride.