The gold rush began in 1851 and mining continues even today with deep mining under the town and environs. Many communities flocked to the area, the Irish, Cornish and Germans but one of the best known and enduring contributions by any community was made by the Chinese. Chinese heritage is synonymous with Bendigo, today the attractions of the historic Joss House temple, the Golden Dragon Museum, the Classical Chinese Gardens and the Chinese section of the White Hills Cemetery, stand out as their mementoes. The legacy of the gold-rush is present even today in the heritage listed buildings not only in Bendigo but in nearby Castlemaine and the old-world charm of historic Maldon. HIGHLIGHTS Travel along the Calder Highway from Melbourne The hamlet of Woodend - the haunting backdrop of the “Picnic at Hanging Rock” book and film. The tree lined streets of Mount Macedon offer a stunning vista. Shop at the antique shops of Kyneton and Castlemaine. Visit the historical township of Maldon. Bendigo Regional Gallery – home for the collection of fine works by Australian artists (Sir Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Arthur Boyd) Talking tram ride for history of the town. Bendigo Pottery. Wineries at Harcourt and Bendigo areas. SUGGESTED ITINERARY: TOUR OF BENDIGO GOLD FIELDS & WINE BELT 8.30 a.m. Pick up from hotel / home. Complimentary champagne. Travel along the Calder Highway, passing beautiful Mount Macedon, Kyneton and Woodend, with it’s long history. 9.30 a.m. Morning tea at CASTLEMAINE. Stroll around this town steeped in the history of the 1850s gold rushes. Fine civic buildings, stately homes and gardens give this town its ambience. 11.00 a.m. Arrive at the 1850s historic goldfields town of MALDON. Gold was first discovered here in 1853 – the subsequent rush increased the population vastly to a then estimation of 40,000. In 1965 the town was declared a ‘NOBLE TOWN’ by the National Trust, because of its classical architecture. 12.30 p.m. BENDIGO for lunch at a stylish local café or restaurant. Bendigo is the charming regional city (population now approx 100,000) had the richest goldfields in the 1880s. Things to see and do: Bendigo Regional Gallery: Bendigo’s talking Tram giving visitors the history of the town: Bendigo Pottery: Central Deborah Gold Mine (try some fossicking): Chinese Dragon Museum (longest and oldest Imperial Chinese dragon): Lovely Parks and Gardens. 3.00 p.m. Visit wineries at Bendigo and Harcourt where you can imbibe on the local ‘Shiraz” make your purchases direct from the vineyards. 4.00 p.m. Leave for Melbourne. 6.30 p.m. Arrive at your hotel / home. Tell your friends and family about the trip and how much you enjoyed it. |      BENDIGO WINERIES BENDIGO DISTRICT * Balgownie Estate Hermitage Road, Maiden Gully, 3551 (03) 5449-6222 # Belvoir Park Estate 39 Belvoir Park Road, Big Hill, 3453 (03) 5435-3075 * Chateau Leamon 5528 Calder Highway, Big Hill, 3555 (03) 5447-7995 (closed Tuesdays) # Lynnevale Estate 83 Cahills Road, Mandurang, 3551 (03) 5439-3635 ** Mandurang Valley 77 Fandersons Lane, Mandurang, 3551 (03) 5439-5367 * Sandhurst Ridge 156 Forest Drive, Marong, 3515 (03) 5435-2534 HARCOURT DISTRICT # Bress Wine 3894 Calder Highway, Harcourt, 3453 (03) 5474-2262 # Black Jack Wines 3379 Calder Highway, Harcourt, 3453 (03) 5474-2355 * Harcourt Valley Winery 3339 Calder Highway, Harcourt, 3453 (03) 5474-2223 # Langanook Wines 91 McKittericks Road, Sutton Grange, 3448 (03) 5474-8250 ## Sutton Grange Wines Carnochan’s Road, Sutton Grange, 3448 (03) 5474-8285 OTHER DISTRICTS *** Passing Clouds Kurting Road, Kingower, 3517 (03) 5438-8257 # Chaperon Wines of 135 Gallaghers Lane, Eastville via Maldon, 3463 (03) 5435-7427 Grange Hill Winery *** Water Wheel Vineyards Raywood Road, Bridgewater on Loddon, 3516 (03) 5437-3060 ## Pondalowie Vineyards 6 Main Street, Bridgewater via Loddon 0439 373 366 |
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