The Goldfields region of Victoria provides an abundance of attractions
and experiences that be enjoyed by staying any of the
6 Bed & Breakfast
and Farmstay
accommodation options we provide.
The goldrush in central Victoria occurred from around 1851 to the late 1860’s. It brought people to work in the goldfields from all over the globe. The towns in the Goldfields region still retain the style that developed with the great wealth that was earned at the gold diggings.
Ballarat, the capital of the region, is Victoria’s largest inland town with grand streetscapes, historic architecture, gardens and art galleries. A visit to Ballarat would not be complete without a visit to the multi-award winning Sovereign Hill, a reconstruction of a gold fields township in the 1850s.
Bendigo is an elegant regional city in central Victoria. The Shamrock Hotel on the corner of Pall Mall and Williamson Street built in 1854 is a grand, two storey building typical of the architecture of its day. The Chinese came to work in the goldfields in great numbers and their culture has had a significant part in the development of Bendigo. The Chinese Joss House and the Golden Dragon Museum reflect this history.
Your host will be able to tell you more about what to see and do, where to shop and eat in the area.
January
Australian Open Men's and Women's Road Cycling Championships – Buninyong
Fryers Town Antique Fair – Maldon
Maldon and Beyond by Twilight – Maldon
Maryborough Highland Games – Maryborough
Summer in the Parks – Bendigo
Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields – Ballarat
February
Chinese New Year – Bendigo
The Lindsay Festival – Creswick
March
Ballarat Begonia Festival – Ballarat
Ballarat Antique Fair – Ballarat
Bendigo International Madison – Bendigo
Castlemaine State Festival – Castlemaine
Gold King Festival – Buninyong
Total Girl Soccer Tournament – Wendouree
Wedderburn Detector Jamboree – Wedderburn
April
Bendigo Easter Festival – Bendigo
Bendigo Winemakers Festival – Bendigo Castlemaine
Maldon Easter Fair – Maldon
May
Ballarat Heritage Weekend – Ballarat
Clunes Back to Booktown – Clunes
July
Maldon in Winter – Maldon
August
Ballarat Australian Cycling Grand Prix – Ballarat
September
Ballarat International Foto Biennale – Ballarat
Chinese Harvest Moon Festival – Bendigo
Wedderburn Historic Engine Rally – Wedderburn
October
Heathcote Food and Wine Festival – Heathcote
Bendigo Heritage Uncorked – Bendigo
Maldon Folk Festival – Maldon
Mt Tarrengower Vintage Hill Climb – Maldon
Bridgewater and Inglewood Food and Wine – Bridgewater on Loddon
November
Ballarat by the Glass – Ballarat
Castlemaine Festival of Gardens – Castlemaine
December
Eureka Celebrations – Ballarat
The discovery of gold in Victoria's central region over 150 years ago has left a rich and lasting legacy in almost every town in the Goldfields. Tour the impressive Victorian streetscapes of Bendigo and Ballarat with their grand hotels and public buildings or explore the quaint shopfronts and miners' cottages in townships such as Maldon, Castlemaine and Dunolly.
Learn about gold rush history at one of the region's historic attractions. Sovereign Hill, The Eureka Centre and the Central Deborah Gold Mine all offer a fascinating insight into life above and below the ground during the 1850s and 1860s. Set on a former gold mining site, Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum recreating the gold rush era in fascinating detail. Take time to speak to the storekeepers and miners or pan for gold.
Take a break from exploring the goldfields at a stylish local cafe or restaurant. Local restaurants make the most of the fine local produce of the region, and you can also sample the local wines, olives, apples and more, direct from the farm gate or cellar door.
The region also boasts outstanding galleries and gardens. Relax and unwind in one of the elegant parklands and historic botanic gardens or see superb collections of local and European painting at two of Australia's finest regional galleries - the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery and Bendigo Art Gallery.
