Wednesday, April 9, 2025
đź“ť Day's Highlights
• exploring Bendigo
• the Talking Trams
• the Chinese museum
• Bendigo on foot
I like Bendigo. Even though it has a population of 120,000, it feels a bit like Douglas (if you can imagine Douglas with a UK A road running through the middle). I like the feel, the architecture, and the quirky sense of humour – it has a record shop called Bandigo and a pub called the Handle Bar.
On the tram
Today was spent exploring Bendigo. They have kept a tram line, which is hop-on-hop-off all day, and has a commentary to accompany the journey (the Talking Tram). I went out and back a few times – sometimes just to sit down.
The first time I got off, I took a look round the tram museum. It was interesting, but alas the tram sheds themselves were closed. One thing I really liked was the café – it was a tram, complete with wheels! I though it was such a good idea.
At the depot
The next time I went to look round the Chinese museum. The museum housed the 3 dragons that have been used in Bendigo for more than a century. The museum had a lot of information about the Chinese community, and the role they played in the city’s development. There was even a letter thanking the Chinese for their contribution to the city’s festivities.
🧠Fact of the Day
The Chinese have been part of Bendigo since the gold rush, which started in 1851
Another short tram ride to Weeroona Lake. This was hot and open, so I walked back to the town centre alongside Bendigo Creek, which was dry. It was a nice walk - nice to be in the shade. Then back on the tram to the terminus at the gold mine.
Scenes round Bendigo
By the time I had walked back into town, my energy enthusiasm had run out. I had a burger and a couple of beers then went back to the hotel.
New South Wales tomorrow.