Bendigo

Wednesday 3 May

Bendigo was a great place to take a 'day off' from travelling, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here.

Historic Architecture in Bendigo

Coming from Nottingham, England, I vaguely remembered being taught in history lessons about William 'Bendigo' Thompson, Nottingham's celebrated bare-knuckle boxer, and wondered what his connection might be with this Australian city. As it turned out, an early Australian goldminer and settler with a similar boxing style was given the nickname 'Bendigo' and this was then applied to the local area - 'Bendigo's Creek' and the town that grew up around it.

Bendigo is proud of its heritage, and there is plenty for visitors to experience here. We started by taking a narrated tram tour of the city, which gives the opportunity to learn not only the history of the trams themselves, but also to view the many points of interest and different architectural styles which make up the modern-day city.

Ding-ding!

Alighting from the tram, we visited the Central Deborah Goldmine - a genuine working goldmine from 1851 to 1954 - which now offers tours underground to illustrate the kind of conditions in which miners had to work right up until the mine became commercially unviable.

Sharon meets a Bendigo Goldminer

Our guide, an ex-Bendigo miner of some 17 years' experience, gave us a fascinating insight into daily life in the mine and the resultant toll that the constant noise, vibration, and dangerous working conditions took upon the miners. An hour in the pitch dark, damp mine was enough for us, let alone the eight-hour shifts the miners had to put in each day.

Back in the fresh air, a quick climb of the mine's winding gear tower provided panoramic views of Bendigo.

Before leaving Bendigo for our onward journey to the Grampian Mountains, there was just time for a quick look around the beautiful Sacred Heart Cathedral: