Buzzing in Bendigo

 

A Golden City

I visited Bendigo located North West of Melbourne Victoria Australia. The traditional owners of the land are the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung People.  Bendigo is famous for it's gold history past where gold was discovered in Bendigo Creek in 1851.  There is also a strong heritage of Chinese immigration in Bendigo, as they immigrated to strike it lucky on the goldfields, many of their descendants still live within the area. The Golden dragon museum celebrates the culture and heritage of the Chinese within the area.

Nacho Station

Nacho Station are a collection of street artists located around Bendigo Victoria Australia and was created by Reece Hendy. They use street art and workshops to promote creativity and brighten up communites. Two murals that I saw that featured platypuses were created by Nacho station.  The first mural is located at Golden Square pool a suburb of Bendigo. The mural was done by artist Jeswri in 2021 and promotes the Golden square community. 

 A second mural by Nacho station and lead artist Garf is located along side the wall at Tyson's Reef Hotel in Bendigo located at 2 Weeroona Avenue.  

 

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Alexandra Fountain

The Alexandra fountain is located at the intersection of View Street and Pall Mall. It is a prominent tourist attraction and historical landmark. The fountain was was designed by William Vahland (1828–1915) and opened in 1881. The fountain is in a similar style to the Exhibition fountain located at Carlton Gardens Melbourne.

Bendigo Art Gallery

The gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia. It was founded in 1887. It is located at 42 View Street. The gallery features a sculpture garden as well as a tower you can climb to view the city of Bendigo. 

                 Sometimes the Dead are More Alive than the Living by Alex Seton 2017

Happy Ending? by Michael Doolan 2014

                                Peter Stared into the Vast Unknown by Matt Calvert 2010

Poppet Head look out

Street art

Melbourne is the capital of street art but Bendigo has a great collection of arworks below are a collection of some of my favourites. You can view a map of street art around Bendigo CBD here. Below are the key locations of street art.

Bath Lane

art by Jack Fran and Nacho Station

art by Baby Gorilla

 Chancery Lane

Unknown artist but maybe Chris Duffy 

 

 Dimples Lane

 

Artwork by Geoffrey Carran and Rowena Martinich

                                Artwork by Geoffrey Carran and Rowena Martinich

 

 Lyttle Eat Street

 

Artwork by Minna Leunig

 Final Thoughts

Bendigo is a lovely place and full of great street art and museums. I definitely will be back. 

 

Video extras