Bendigo Bloom
The beloved regional town of Bendigo – recently awarded a silver medal in the Top Tourism Town Awards – will bask in the glow of the changing seasons with a massive, colourful festival this spring. This year, Bendigo Bloom is celebrating its 21st anniversary, bathing the town in colour with more than 60 events and experiences throughout the season.
From idyllic gardens and cultural tours to food feasts and after-dark events, there's so much to explore during the festival. An annual favourite is the tulip display, with more than 43,000 tulips painting a rainbow across Bendigo’s historic Pall Mall and Conservatory Gardens. After the sun sets, the tulips are transformed into a kaleidoscopic light walk called Bloom After Dark.
Other highlights include Vegecarian on October 5 – a free, family friendly event focussed on loving food, loving animals and loving life. Held at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, it will feature cooking demonstrations, wellness activities, performances and animal blessings. And don't miss the Malamiya Mang Creative Arts Festival (November 1-3), which will be a showcase of First Nations art in the form of exhibitions, a fashion show and market.
Plus, there are loads of events for foodies, including the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival on the first weekend of October, where you can sample the region's top drops and produce. Or you can check out Bendigo Wine Week (October 11-19) for tastings galore.
The Bendigo Bloom program is absolutely jam-packed w