Page 438 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

436  VIC T ORIA

0Bendigo
* 85,000. ~ £ @ @
n 51–67 Pall Mall (03) 5434 6060.
Open daily. Closed 25 Dec.
∑ bendigotourism.com
Bendigo celebrated the gold
rush like no other city, and with
good reason – the finds here
were legendary. In 1851, the
first year of gold mining, 23 kg
(50 lbs) of gold were extracted
from only one bucketful of dirt.
When the surface gold began
to disappear, the discovery of
a gold-rich quartz reef in the Typical 19th-century building in Maldon
1870s reignited the boom.
Reflecting the city’s wealth, The Golden Dragon Museum qMaldon
Bendigo’s buildings are vast and also has displays that chart the * 1,200. @ @ n 93 High St
extravagant, often combining history of the Chinese in the (03) 5475 2569.
several architectural styles within city. A ceremonial archway links
one construction. Government the museum with the Garden The perfectly preserved town
architect G W Watson completed of Joy, built in 1996. Based on a of Maldon offers an outstanding
two buildings, the Law Courts traditional Asian design, the experience of an early gold-
and Post Office, in the French and garden resembles the Chinese mining settlement. This tiny town
Italian Renaissance styles. The landscape in miniature, with is set within one of the loveliest
tree-lined boulevard Pall Mall is mountains, trees and streams. landscapes of the region. The
reminiscent of a French provincial The Bendigo Art Gallery hills, forests and exotic trees are
city. The elegant Hotel Shamrock has a splendid collection of an attractive setting for
opened to great fanfare in 1897 Australian painting, the narrow streets
and is still in operation (see p494). including works and 19th-century
The European-style building is depicting life on buildings. Maldon
given a distinctly Australian feel the gold fields. was declared
with its front veranda. Self- Nearby are shops Australia’s “First
guided heritage walk brochures selling pieces from Notable Town” by
are available from Bendigo’s Australia’s oldest Bendigo’s the National Trust in
information centre, and the working pottery, local pottery 1966. Cafés, galleries
Vintage Talking Tram provides an Bendigo Pottery, and museums cater to
excellent commentary on the established in 1858. the town’s stream of tourists.
town’s history. The Central Deborah Other attractions include
A major part of Bendigo’s gold Goldmine offers visitors tours Carmen’s Tunnel, an old gold
rush history was made by its 86 m (260 ft) down to the last mine, and a 70-minute round-
Chinese population. The Joss deep reef mine in town. trip ride aboard a steam train to
House, dating from the 1860s, Muckleford. Visit at Easter to see
is a restored Chinese temple. P Joss House the glorious golden leaves of
Emu Point, Finn St, North Bendigo. the plane, oak and elm trees.
Tel (03) 5442 1685. Open 11am–4pm There is also an Easter Fair,
daily. Closed 25 Dec. & including an Easter parade and
∑ bendigojosshouse.com a street carnival (see p46).
E Golden Dragon Museum
and Garden of Joy
1–11 Bridge St. Tel (03) 5441 5044. wCastlemaine
Open 9:30am–5pm daily.
Closed 25 Dec. & 7 0 * 7,000. £ @ @ n Market
∑ goldendragonmuseum.org Building, 44 Mostyn St (03) 5471 1795.
E Bendigo Art Gallery Castlemaine’s elegance reflects
42 View St. Tel (03) 5434 6088. Open the fact that gold finds here were
10am–5pm Tue–Sun. Closed 25 Dec. brief but extremely prosperous.
& 7 by arrangement. The finest attraction is the Market
∑ bendigoartgallery.com.au Hall, built in 1862. Architect
P Central Deborah Goldmine William Benyon Downe designed
76 Violet St. Tel (03) 5443 8322. this building in the Palladian
Entrance to the Chinese Joss House Open 9am–5pm daily. style, with a portico and a large
in Bendigo Closed 25 Dec. & 7 arched entrance leading into
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp494–5 and pp529–31