Bendigo
Delivers Major Events
Tree lined streets and historic buildings dating back to the 1850s gold rush era create a picture perfect streetscape. Beneath the history and magnificent facades is a vibrant, growing, and progressive regional Victorian city.
Beautiful Bendigo
Centrally located, Bendigo is fast gaining a reputation as an events capital in regional Victoria. Only 100 minutes from Melbourne’s central business district and 80 minutes drive from Melbourne Airport, Bendigo is increasingly becoming the destination of choice for arts and culture, corporate and business , international sporting events and the popular food and wine festival circuit. From all corners of the state and by road, rail or air, Bendigo’s location in the heart of regional Victoria makes it a strong choice for state, national and even international world-ranked events.
The Capital – Bendigo’s Performing Arts Centre:
Ben d igo d eliv ers
Arts & Culture
Our community has a proud reputation for taking centre stage when it comes to hosting world-class cultural events.
2012 Theatre Season 2012 Soul Food 2012 First Stages © John Gollings
Bendigo Art Gallery
Bendigo Art Gallery: The Golden Age of Couture Exhibition 2008 Archibald Prize 2008 & 2009
Bendigo Art Gallery is renowned for its ability to showcase exquisite and exclusive exhibitions which have attracted visitors and media attention nationally and from around the world. Think The Golden Age of Couture, The White Wedding Dress and Grace Kelly: Style Icon, all exclusive to Bendigo from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
McCubbin Exhibition 2010 The White Wedding Dress Exhibition 2011
Bendigo Easter Festival Bendigo Fashion Week Bendigo Writers Festival
Thriving local theatrical and music sectors and visiting internationally acclaimed artists and groups all receive a standing ovation in Bendigo.
Blues & Roots Festival Groovin’ the Moo © Shannon McGrath
The Capital Theatre
Grace Kelly: Style Icon Exhibition Bendigo Easter Festival
Grace Kelly (detail) 1954. Image courtesy of Philippe Halsman/Magnum Photos/Snapper Media.
Heathcote Food & Wine Festival
Ben d i go d eliv ers
Food & Wine For those food and wine aficionados who love a good drop and a hearty meal, you can’t go past central Victoria. Bendigo and neighbouring towns like Heathcote and Castlemaine have developed what has become a sophisticated and exciting food and wine culture. The tree-changers from Melbourne have a lot to be thanked for! Whether it’s sitting in magnificent Rosalind Park for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s longest lunch, venturing out to outlying towns for food and wine celebrations or discovering Bendigo’s vibrant cafe and restaurant culture, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer.
Bendigo Olive Fiesta Longest Lunch Events Heathcote Wine and Food Festival Heathcote Farmers Market
Bendigo Farmers Market
Heathcote Longest Lunch Bendigo Community Farmers Market Bendigo Heritage Uncorked Bendigo Olive Fiesta Bendigo Winegrowers Festival – Castlemaine Sanguine Estate Wine Festival – Heathcote Snag, Beer & Bubblefest – Heathcote
Australian Country Hockey Championships
Sports Ben d i g o d e liv ers
Horse power, pedal power or people power, Bendigo has the facilities and capabilities to host a myriad of sporting events. From grassroots junior sports carnivals, state and national tennis and bowls tournaments to international world-ranked competitions, recent successes have put Bendigo into the sport circuit’s spotlight.
Our temperate weather, pristine outdoor facilities and state-of-the-art indoor centres make Bendigo a sporting community of choice for all levels of competition.
Bendigo International Madison
Australian Opals Basketball International Australian School Basketball Championships Bendigo Bank Fun Run Bowls Victoria Mens and Womens State Championships Golden Mile Race Day Junior Davis Cup / Fed Cup Tennis Lacrosse State League Super Round National Easter Orienteering Carnival Oceania Masters Athletics Championships Oceania Masters Games School Sports Australian National Athletic Titles Victorian State Little Athletics Championships V/Line State Netball Titles Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon
Jayco Bendigo Cup
Australian Goldfields Open
WM Loud Bendigo International
Victorian Country Long Course Swimming Championships Jayco Herald Sun Tour
Bendigo Home & Leisure Show
Ben d i go d eliv ers
Lifestyle Not only does Greater Bendigo offer a great way of living for its 100,000-plus population, it also has a long history of hosting major life-style events of the size normally reserved for metropolitan Melbourne.
Motorclassica
From classic cars and top of the range touring vehicles, climate change and the latest in home and garden designs, Bendigo has a venue and the expertise to showcase major lifestyle exhibitions.
Bendigo National Swap Meet
Bendigo National Swap Meet Bendigo Home & Leisure Show
Sheep & Wool Show Fashion
Wild Deer Hunting & Guiding Expo
Caravan & Camping Show Variety Car Club Bash Motorclassica Rod, Stock & Custom ...and numerous other car club events
Ben d i go d eliv ers
Agriculture
Bendigo’s central location has made it a hub for Victorian, interstate and national agricultural and horticultural events.
National Beef Show
In recent years our city’s ability to host these events has been enhanced by the development of the multi-million dollar Bendigo Exhibition Centre, hosting everything from sheep and cattle to horses, pedigree dogs, and everything in between.
Bendigo Agricultural Show
Australian Sheep & Wool Show Bendigo Agricultural Show Bendigo Festival of Lamb Elite White Suffolk Show and Sale Elmore & District Field Days National Beef Show Victoria Alpaca Colourbration Carnival National Cutting Horse Association
Our city’s facilities ensure the importance of Australia’s agricultural sector is showcased in true country style.
Australian Sheep & Wool Show
National Cutting Horse Association
Elmore & District Field Days
Bendigo Pottery – create your own masterpiece
Ben d i g o d el i vers
Business
The birthplace of iconic Australian businesses including Myer, Bendigo Bank, Fernwood Fitness Centres, Leggo’s and Jimmy Possum - Bendigo has a thriving business story, both past and present. Our city is no stranger to hosting meetings and events in a diverse range of event venues from boutique meeting rooms in galleries and secret hideaways, glamorous theatres and jaw-dropping civic buildings and flexible spaces for 1000 delegates... Big businesses have enjoyed our
Hundreds of conferences and business gatherings annually Bendigo Inventor Awards Child Friendly City Conference Jehovah’s Witness Annual Convention Livestock Transport Association Convention Political Party Conferences VECCI Regional Business Convention Victorian Farmers Federation Conference Victorian Parliament Sittings
warmth and hospitality including ASX 100 listed companies, State and Federal Government roadshows and large scale information sessions and gatherings. Business is booming in Bendigo.
Town Hall Functions
What about time-out? We can provide inspirational pre and post-touring, incentives and partner programs that include searching for gold in a working goldmine, creating a ceramic masterpiece at Australia’s historic Bendigo Pottery, tour the award winning Bendigo and Heathcote wineries and taste the-day-away, relax in spa heaven or shop ’til you drop in our unique precincts and laneways and discover our chef-hatted menus, boutique bistros, abundance of international cuisines, gourmet local produce, and our own tram car restaurant.
Taste our regions best wines
A contemporary city with population of 105,000. Bendigo offers welcoming and friendly hospitality with the comforts of home. We are very accommodating here in Bendigo. Bendigo spoils visitors with a wide range of accommodation options throughout the city and surrounds including motels, hotels, serviced apartments, self contained, boutique and B&B’s offering more than 3,500 beds. The free accommodation booking service at the Bendigo Visitor Centre ensures you will find the most suitable accommodation with each delegates accommodation requirements personally managed – they really save you time and are a one-stop shop for group bookings.
Event support. Whatever type of event, our advice, local knowledge and support services will enhance your planning. •A ssist with site inspections and familiarisation visits prior to arrival •S electing venues and facilities •P romote your event on the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Tourism websites •A ssist with creating your pre and post touring, social, incentive, team-building and partners programs •P rovide promotional material, maps and welcome kits to delegates utilising the Bendigo Visitor Centre accommodation booking service •R ecommend local audio visual, catering, entertainment, speakers, gifts, transportation and other conference services •A ssist with local media support
Travel Time & Distance by Car From Melbourne‘s CBD From Daylesford From Castlemaine From Echuca From Ballarat From Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport
147km 100min 77km 60min 38km 30min 92km 70min 122km 90min 120km 80min
Travel Time by Train From Melbourne Southern Cross Station From Castlemaine From Kyneton
105min 25min 45min
Travel Time & Distance by Shuttle Bus From Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport 120km 110min
MILDURA
ECHUCA
BENDIGO CASTLEMAINE BALLARAT
HEATHCOTE MELBOURNE
GEELONG
Cover: Groovin’ The Moo SASI 202239:1
For more event information and all event enquiries contact the Major Events Team on 03 5434 6000 or visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au