Having driven from Nhill to Bendigo, it really felt like we were far, far away from home now. It was the narrowing of the outback roads to one lane that got the “ You’re not in Kansas anymore” feeling happening, and I had a moment of feeling a little out of my depth, a little like I should have studied the map better. But then I came across a truck which pulled over for us, so Frankie could have the whole single road to himself, and I asked the driver about the way I was going. He was super helpful and explained the roads ahead to me and calm returned!
Arriving in Bendigo we were all full of
First stop was the Frida Kahlo exhibition that is currently on at the Bendigo Art Gallery, and then it was time to check in at the Park Lane Big 4 caravan park that we were all super excited about – mainly due to the indoor play
The play
So here are my top 3 things to do when visiting Bendigo:
- The Discovery Science Centre
- Bendigo Art Gallery
- Deborah Central Mines
Science Centre: http://discovery.asn.au
We arrived at 10.10 am and didn’t leave ’til just after 3 pm! This says it all! It wasn’t the plan to stay the whole day but the girls were just so engaged with all the activities and little shows and talks that we just stayed and stayed! For me, the highlight was the planetarium; for Harper, the science show, which she watched twice and the vertical slide which she went down about 15 times. And Gem just loved the toddler area, with its pulley system designed like a mine where she spent ages playing with other kids who came and went.
It was during our visit here, while I was going back to the robot room with Gem to experiment with programming the little beetle, that it occurred to me that
Bendigo Art Gallery
My love of Frida Kahlo took us here and although Gem wasn’t interested until she saw pictures of dogs, Harper and I got a lot out of it. Although the Frida exhibition isn’t there all the time, the gallery is impressive and has a variety of changing exhibitions. If you have a big love for Frida, go and check it out. I have always been drawn to Frida Kahlo from the moment I heard her story, which was right before moving to Mexico in my mid-20s, where I continued to learn about her life. Her life story is moving; she lived a short but passionate life (Harper was quite shocked after reading the timeline at the exhibition about how many affairs Frida and Diego had). And her expression through art is captivating. Last year, I went to a Frida Kahlo exhibition in Sydney which was amazing, so when I saw this was going to be on when we were in Bendigo, I knew I had to see it and I loved it.
Deborah gold mines
When it was time to leave I found myself wishing we had another day or two … but as a wise woman once told me … always leave something you want to go back and do … and for me its Bendigo Pottery … that will have to wait ‘





Sounds fabulous Hayley! I’ve never been to Bendigo but sounds like it should be on the to-do list. Love reading what you’re up to with the girls.
Well I never thought I’d like bendigo when I lived down the road in Castlemaine, but it’s got a lot to offer and so much around it too that you get to see if you take the time! Like mount Alexander, and lots of old mine walks; awesome that you found so much on off Hayley xx