This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Bendigo.
Bendigo, about a three-hour drive north of Melbourne, is large enough to have the city luxuries, but small enough to have the small-town culture and vibe. The town was established during the gold rush and you will find an abundance of history in gold mining in Bendigo. At the Central Deborah Goldmine, you can go down an authentic deep-shaft mine and learn about the history of gold in Bendigo. You can take the Victorian Goldfields Steam train through the forest en route between Castlemaine and Maldon and they even offer you a driver experience package which allows you to actually drive the train.
Aside from the gold rush history, Bendigo has many other things to see and do. A trip to the visual art gallery at the La Trobe University is an interesting way to spend an afternoon. They also have the Discovery Science and Technology Center, which has a lot of interactive exhibits to get involved with. Downtown Bendigo has an array of really nice restaurants and cafes for hanging out and the nightlife on the weekends can be fairly happening if you ask around at your hostel where to go.
Hostels in Bendigo have quite a distance between them. Many of them are not located centrally, so it is important to do your research as to where your hostel is located and whether you can get there cheaply without a car if you are not driving. The hostel staff should be able to give you information on how to get around and find the things that you need from your Bendigo hostel.
Written by local enthusiast for Bendigo hostels
Globetrotter