Top 10 Museums in Greater Bendigo, Victoria

Established in 1887, Bendigo Art Gallery is the largest, and one of the oldest regional galleries in Australia. The Gallery's collection is extensive and varied with an emphasis on 19th century European art and Australian art from 1800s onwards, alongside a strong collection of contemporary Australian art. The collection is complimented by dynamic temporary exhibitions and a diverse range of public programs and events.

Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum is open daily 10 am to 4 pm, entry fees and special opening hours can be found on our website: https://www.bendigorsl.com.au/museum/ Tours and group booking enquiries are welcome. The permanent displays focus on the journeys made by central Victorians through war and conflict. Large murals, exhibition installations and collection items are on display as well as temporary exhibitions in the new passive house wing.

The Living Arts Space was established at the Bendigo Visitor Centre in 2009 with the vision of augmenting and promoting Bendigo's brand strengths in arts, culture and heritage. It has been positioned as a niche exhibition venue to showcase the diversity of work created by living artists and crafts practitioners from the Bendigo region, forming a direct link to the local arts and cultural community. To increase the dynamic, the Living Arts Space also encourages exhibitors to share and interact with the public through the presentation of talks, demonstrations and workshops. The contemporary arts and cultural programs offered in conjunction with the Living Arts Space are presented alongside the Uniquely Bendigo gift shop, with the information centre and complimentary booking services for tours, tickets and accommodation. Local history stories are displayed in the adjacent Post Office Gallery, creating a lively hub at the Bendigo Visitor Centre for all to explore and enjoy.

Situated in the former historic post office building on Pall Mall, Bendigo, Post Office Gallery is a satellite space of Bendigo Art Gallery presenting a dynamic program of exhibitions and events that explore the region’s long and proud history. Drawing on the region’s rich history and archives of seen and unseen treasures, Post Office Gallery showcases artworks, and objects, both domestic and public; letters, personal and official; items modest and significant uniquely in a series of ever changing exhibitions. Under the auspices of Bendigo Art Gallery, the gallery has adopted a unique model of presentation, exploring collections and archives to chronicle the extraordinary stories and histories - personal, regional and universal - of the individuals, groups and events underpinning the city and its inhabitants. History On 30 September 1887, following four years of construction, the Sandhurst Public Offices on Pall Mall were officially opened (during the city’s prosperous gold era), and this grand Renaissance Revival style building operated as the city’s post office for over a century, until Australia Post established their new city facility at the corner of Williamson and Hargreaves Streets in 1996. Since then, the former Post Office has become residence to Bendigo’s tourist information centre, and with its prime position in the heart of town, council recognised an opportunity to put the building to even greater public use by establishing a place for the display and interpretation of the region’s rich and dynamic history. A provincial city recognised for its heritage and culture, Bendigo’s attractions feature many well known institutions, including Bendigo Art Gallery, the Capital Theatre, the Golden Dragon Museum, the Central Deborah Mine and Bendigo Tramway’s Talking Trams. However, to date there has never been a traditional ‘social history’ museum, a venue where significant collections, artefacts and material that explore the broadest possible history of the region can be exhibited and enjoyed. The Post Office Gallery highlights this social history element to the community’s cultural foundation, by providing the residents of the City of Greater Bendigo and its many visitors with a vital focal point for its long and proud history. And by employing a ‘gallery’ model, with a changing annual exhibition program, Post Office Gallery makes possible a continual exploration of the region’s heritage whilst also ensuring operational sustainability, broad engagement, and strong and ongoing community involvement.

Designed for the exhibition and sale of contemporary art by emerging and established Australian artists, Arnold Street Gallery Bendigo aims to provide a supportive environment where artists working in a range of media can showcase their work in an exciting new space. Arnold Street Gallery Bendigo was established by Bendigo-based artists Susan McMinn and Tegan Wheeldon. Arnold Street Gallery closed on 28th March 2020.

Have a young scientist bursting with questions? Then Discovery is the place for you! Discovery Science and Technology Center Bendigo is a beautiful old historic railway goods shed that has had a new lease on life in spiring the next genration of young scientists. An exciting day out for young families in the centre of Bendigo, right next to the trains station, kids and big kids get to learn and play. Are you brave enough to take the leap and drop from the top of our 7m Vertical slide?! Explore the entire universe in our Planetarium (it really is bigger on the inside). Under the rainbow you will find a world of exploration! Also enjoy new science and planetarium shows each school holidays. With over 100 interactive exhibits to explore, you won't know what to try first. There's something for everyone at Discovery!

Hudson's Hub is a retail Art Gallery in Bendigo, providing local, national and international contemporary pop-culture themed artwork, lowbrow art, pop surrealism and underground artworks. In addition Hudson's Hub also stocks specialist art and design books, designer collectible vinyl toys, jewellery and unique ceramic pieces.We aim to provide cutting edge exhibits unique to Bendigo that showcase art with a point of difference, supporting local artists and artists from around the world, both well established and up and coming talent.Hudson's Hub is located at 78 Mitchell Street and is open Tuesday through to Thursday 11am-5.30pm, Friday 11am-6pm. Saturday 10am-3pm and selected Sundays.