Bendigo on show

Do you love art, or have a passion for wine? Are you a fashionista or a fan of fine food? Maybe you’re all of the above.

Whatever your interests, you’ll find a great reason to visit Bendigo in coming months. The Victorian regional city is easily accessible via train from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station in just over two hours, with the fares a bargain $11. Driving from Melbourne takes an hour and fifty minutes, and there are daily (except Sundays) direct flights between Sydney and Bendigo with Qantas.

You savour flavour

Love exploring new tastes and trying new dishes? Put these events on your list.

The Taco Trail: This event celebrating the Bendigo Art Gallery’s Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image exhibition aims to find the best taco in town.  Running until July 13, eateries around the district are putting their best taco forward, from a Xing Xiang lamb version at The Dispensary Bar and Diner, to a sweet interpretation at Icecream Republic. Vote for your fave to win a $1000 VIP weekend in Bendigo for two. And in the unlikely event you don’t like tacos, you’ll find plenty of venues offering special Mexican-inspired menus and cocktails.

Discover the Mexican-inspired menus and find the best tacos. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival: It’s the region’s wines, and winemakers, time to shine. Live music and food plus the opportunity to taste more than 80 local wines, and to join a fun grape stomping challenge make this one a calendar must.

It’s on at Rosalind Park Mall on Saturday, April 5 from 11am to 4pm. Pre-booked tickets are $60 including wine tasting and a festival glass.

Heathcote on Show: Renowned nearby wine district Heathcote will put its best wine, food and entertainment forward on the King’s Birthday long weekend of June 7 to 9. Expect Shiraz, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Cab Sav, Merlot and more.

You’re a culture vulture

If you believe a weekend away without a spot of art isn’t a weekend away at all, then get yourself to these events.

Bendigo Pride Festival: Immerse yourself in LGBTQI culture with events ranging from drag trivia to an ‘80s dance party to cabaret to a Queer Country Art Exhibition. Bendigo Pride runs from March 27 to 30.

Learn about the extraordinary life of Frida Kahlo at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image: This year’s blockbuster Bendigo Art Gallery show is an intimate celebration of the Mexican artist and cultural icon. Kahlo’s personal belongings have been curated to tell the story of her life and art. Her clothes, make-up, accessories and medical items are on loan from the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico until July 13. Come for the art, stay for Fiesta Bendigo, which runs alongside the exhibition. Join a flower crown workshop, sample a mango mezcal margarita, do a Frida-inspired make-up class or distil your own tequila.

You’re doing it for the kids

Think you’ve done every school holiday and weekend kids’ activity available? Think again.

Illumin8 Festival of Light: It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, but all are welcome at this celebration of peace and harmony. The Peace Park at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion will be filled with stunning light sculptures and there will be vegan and vegetarian food, cultural performances and kids’ entertainment. It’s on May 10 from 4pm to 8pm. Last year’s event sold out so make sure you book ahead.

Bendigo Easter Festival: There’s plenty for adults at this event, but let’s face it, Easter is all about chocolate egg hunts, and this festival’s version features 85,000! There’s plenty more on the program too, including a torchlight procession with fireworks, gala parade featuring the world’s longest Imperial Dragon Dai Gum Loong, sideshow alley, gold panning and Sonic the Hedgehog meet and greets. It’s on at various spots around town from April 18 to 21.

Australian Sheep and Wool Show: Like the Easter Festival, there’s plenty for adults at this event (lamb cooking and carving classes and the Aussie wool fashion parade to name just two), but the whole family will enjoy the shearing competition and the sheep dog trials. It’s on at the Bendigo Show Grounds, from July 18 to 20.

Find out about these events, book tickets, find places to stay and plan your trip at bendigoregion.com.au