Family Fun
Get kids into sleuth mode at Discovery Science and Technology Centre. The Whodunit? exhibition (until 21 July) is an exciting hands-on, minds-on experience that appeals to the detective in everyone. Match fingerprints, use the Identikit, examine maggots, analyse animal poo and perform a virtual autopsy in order to solve the mystery of Whodunit? The annual Bendigo Bank Bendigo Easter Festival (29 March-1 April) brings great energy to the streets. See the world's longest imperial Chinese dragon Sun Loong stretch his legs for the parades, art fairs, kid's entertainment and much more. This year's theme of 'Embrace Your Senses' will add excitement to Australia's oldest continuous running festival.
Culturally Rich
Live music takes centre stage with glorious chamber music amidst the oak wine barrels at the Sanguine Estate Music Festival over the Labour Day weekend (8-10 March). Also in March, the Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival (13-24 March) provides many cultural activities including art, literature, flowers, music, dancing plus much more.
The volume ramps up in May when the popular Groovin the Moo (4 May) event returns with a fantastic line-up of bands. There will be over ten hours of music over one day and night, with an outdoor double stage and the Moolin Rouge big top tent for non-stop bands and DJs. Later in May, the spotlight will be on The Great Stupa, where the Festival of Light (25 May) will inspire peace and harmony. This local celebration of Buddha's birthday will feature a candle lantern procession, workshops and tours of the site.
Epicurean Events
If you delight in exploring great food and wine, then exploring the Bendigo region is sure to be flavoursome. During March, as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, there will be food events across the region celebrating the theme ‘Earth’. Enjoy the World’s Longest Lunch (15 March) in historic Rosalind Park; an ode to Margaret Fulton, music and fashion of the 1960s with Salt of the Earth (15 March) at The Dispensary Enoteca; dine beneath some of Bendigo’s historic buildings as part of the Fossick Under the Earth (16 March) progressive lunch; Dig It ‘Dejustation’ (16 March) with food from the forest at the Goldmines Hotel and a wonderful Picnic in the Paddock (16 March) event featuring slow food at Bridgeward Grove.
On Easter Sunday, the Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival (31 March) in Castlemaine brings regional wines together with local produce and live music in a beautiful garden setting.
Sporting Sensations
Cyclists and cycling enthusiasts come from far and wide each year to see a world-class field of international riders and athletes at the Bendigo International Madison event (7-10 March). The week later will see top jockeys and horses converge on Bendigo for the Yalumba Golden Mile Raceday (16 March) at the Bendigo Jockey Club. It’s one of regional Victoria’s premier fashion and racing events. Lawn bowling is set to attract huge crowds to the region in late April. The carnival (26 April-2 May) kicks off with the Super 6 Challenge followed by one of the nation’s marquee tournaments, the Australian Sides Championships.