Bendigo
Gold-era streetscapes, the Central Deborah mine and the Golden Dragon Museum — about two hours north of Melbourne, door to door.
Discover Bendigo
Bendigo made more money out of gold than almost anywhere on earth in the 1850s and spent it on buildings. The result is a regional city with a cathedral, a gallery and a tram network that all look several sizes too big for it — which is exactly why it is worth the two-hour drive.
Central Deborah is a working mine shaft you go down rather than a reconstruction. The Golden Dragon Museum holds the Chinese processional dragons, including Loong, and tells the part of the goldfields story that usually gets left out.
Bendigo Art Gallery runs the touring exhibitions that regional galleries are not supposed to get. Add the vintage tram, Rosalind Park and the Heathcote cellar doors on the way home, and the day fills itself. Tell us what matters most and we set the order.
Tour Highlights
- ✓Central Deborah Gold Mine — underground tour
- ✓The vintage tram through the city centre
- ✓Sacred Heart Cathedral
- ✓Bendigo Art Gallery
- ✓Golden Dragon Museum and the Chinese processional dragons
- ✓Rosalind Park, and Heathcote cellar doors on the way home if you want them
- ✓Door-to-door chauffeur service from your Melbourne address
What's Included
- ✓Private vehicle and professional chauffeur for the full day
- ✓An itinerary planned with you before you travel
- ✓Attraction and restaurant bookings arranged in advance
- ✓Child seats fitted on request, free of charge
- ✓Tolls and GST in one fixed price, quoted before you book
- ✓Entry tickets, attraction fees and meals are not included — you pay those on the day
Reserve Your Bendigo Tour
Every MPJ Australia tour is private — your group only. Tell us the date, who is travelling and whether you want Heathcote added on the way back, and we will come back with a fixed price.
Get a QuoteOther days out from Melbourne
The other great goldfields city, and an easy pairing.
Mineral springs and spa country, between Bendigo and the city.
Wine country, if the heritage day was not what you were after.
An evening in the city — laneway bars, rooftop views and dinner, with nobody driving home.
Tour Essentials
- Duration
- 10–12 hours, door to door. Bendigo is about two hours out, which leaves a full day in the city itself. If your day runs longer, the additional time is charged at your vehicle's hourly rate.
- Departure Time
- Agreed with you when you book. Daylight hours change through the year, so we set the pick-up time to suit the season and your itinerary rather than fix it in advance.
- Vehicle & Capacity
- Matched to your group: Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 for couples; Toyota Alphard, Alphard 40, Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Kia Carnival for families and small groups; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for larger parties. Tell us the group size and roughly what luggage you have, and the vehicle is confirmed with your quote.
- Included
- Private vehicle and chauffeur for the full day, tolls and GST. One fixed price, quoted before you book — no surge pricing and no per-kilometre extras.
- Not Included
- Entry tickets, tastings and activity fees are not included. Meals and drinks are not included. On this route that includes the Central Deborah mine tour, the tram, museum and gallery admission, and any Heathcote tastings. You pay these directly on the day, so you decide where you eat and what you spend.
- Child Seats
- Baby capsules and booster seats are supplied free of charge on request. Tell us your children's ages when you book so the right seats are fitted before pick-up.
- Payment
- Payment in full confirms the booking. Major credit cards and bank transfer accepted.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation more than 24 hours before pick-up. Within 24 hours, 50% of the fare is charged. Tours run in all weather. If a tour cannot go ahead on the day because of an official closure, we reschedule it at no cost.
Full terms, luggage guidance and payment detail: Booking Information. Common questions are answered in our FAQs.
Two Hours North. Then Nothing to Organise.
Mine tour, tram, gallery and a cellar door on the way home is a lot of timetables. One team books them and one driver joins them up.