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Bendigo’s fascinating Chinese story

Bendigo Joss House Temple Main Altar

People from all over the world came to Bendigo in search of gold, but perhaps none is as evident and celebrated as the Chinese. Bendigo is still known today as ‘Dai Gum San’ or ‘Big Gold Mountain’ by the Chinese.

In the mid-1800s, 20 percent of Bendigo’s population hailed from China. They came as miners and merchants, bringing their customs, culture and beliefs to the goldfields. Today, the city still celebrates the impact that they made.

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What makes Bendigo's Geology so special?

Central Deborah Gold Mine Poppet Head at dusk

In Bendigo, we’re always raving about our gold mining history, but Bendigo isn’t the only place in Australia where gold was discovered, so what’s the big deal?

As it turns out, there are a few reasons why the Bendigo goldfield was a bigger deal than most other places in Australia … starting with the amount of gold that was found!

Read more: What makes Bendigo's Geology so special?

5 experiences that will be remembered for life

Children looking at gold in its natural state underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine

Do you have happy moments from your school years that you often recall to family and friends? At Bendigo Heritage Attractions our mission is to create life long memories for your students.

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Aboriginal Culture comes to life aboard the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram

Dja Dja Wurrung Tram passing Bendigo's Sacred Heart Cathedral

Bengek womin-dji-ka bengen-ano djandak, Larrak Dja Dja Wurrung kundidja
(I welcome you to my Country, Home of the Dja Dja Wurrung people)

Bendigo Tramways is renowned for being storytellers of Bendigo’s fascinating history. Thanks to the introduction of the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram in 2017, Bendigo Tramways now shares the story of Bendigo’s first people.

Read more: Aboriginal Culture comes to life aboard the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram

Bendigo - a city full of surprises

Bendigo Visitor Information Centre

Bendigo’s story goes back 400 million years when – during the Paleozoic Era – volcanic activity resulted in sedimentary rock becoming tightly folded and intruded by gold bearing quartz.

Hundreds of millions of years later two farmers’ wives were washing their clothes in the creek and saw gold nuggets glistening in the water, sparking the biggest gold rush in the world at the time.

Read more: Bendigo - a city full of surprises

Hear the story of Bendigo during World War One

Close up of artwork displayed on the Anzac Centenary Tram

Take your students on a trip back in time to gain insight into what life was like on the frontline for soldiers, discover the pioneering role that Bendigo women played in the war effort, and come to understand how WW1 transformed the lives of families on the home front.

Read more: Hear the story of Bendigo during World War One