Bendigo’s a Beauty

- April 13, 2020

January 2019 I took a short trip to Bendigo to visit Crystal and Jack. We've known each other since Crystal and I lived together when we all worked at Disney World back in 2015.

They'd built themselves a lovely new home, inspired by Chip and Jo Gaines of Fixer Upper fame.

I arrived the day after my birthday and they'd put out some decorations to help celebrate.

The next day was spent exploring much of what Bendigo has to offer. Our first stop was Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The grounds and church are all quite lovely,

Here are Crystal and I showing off the church.

And here is a slightly better view of it.

Bendigo is a quaint little town.

The first Myer store opened in Bendigo in 1900.

The first Bendigo Bank was also opened here in 1858.

We also saw the war memorial.

We climbed up a hill, and hen climbed up the elevator at Central Deborah Gold Mine.

Next up was a stroll through some lush greenery.

The visitor centre offered a cool place to briefly escape the heat.

Crystal and I made our way to Sandhurst Gaol.

We didn't participate in a guided tour. We chose to explore on our own.

It's no longer a gaol, but a performance venue.

I’d recently been told I’m “theatrical”.

I don’t see it.

Golden Dragon Museum was our next stop.

This museum was built to celebrate the Chinese culture within Bendigo.

It includes these massive dragons that have featured in parades in Bendigo since the 1890s.

Tranquillity can be found in the gardens,

including the man made one.

The sweltering, summer's day wouldn't be complete without a trip to Favourite Flavours ice-creamery.

Then Crystal and I found ourselves at the Bendigo Tramways Depot.

Our self-guided tour included a meeting with Birney the cat. Upon writing this blog, I have unfortunately discovered he passed away in April last year.

The depot houses lots of historical trams.

The Dja Dja Wurrung People have called Bendigo home for thousands of years, and visitors can view some of their Aboriginal artwork on one of the trams.