BendigoDelivers Major events

Tree lined streets and historic buildings dating back to the 1850s gold rush era create a picture perfect streetscape. Beneath the history and magnificent facades is a vibrant, growing, and progressive regional Victorian city.

Beautiful Bendigo

Centrally located, Bendigo is fast gaining a reputation as an events capital in regional Victoria.

Only 100 minutes from Melbourne’s central business district and 80 minutes drive from Melbourne Airport, Bendigo is increasingly becoming the destination of choice for arts and culture, corporate and business , international sporting events and the popular food and wine festival circuit.

From all corners of the state and by road, rail or air, Bendigo’s location in the heart of regional Victoria makes it a strong choice for state, national and even international world-ranked events.

Arts & Culture

Bendigo Art Gallery is renowned for its ability to showcase exquisite and exclusive exhibitions which have attracted visitors and media attention nationally and from around the world. Think The Golden Age of Couture, The White Wedding Dress and Grace Kelly: Style Icon, all exclusive to Bendigo from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Thriving local theatrical and music sectors and visiting internationally acclaimed artists and

groups all receive a standing ovation in Bendigo.

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Our community has a proud reputation for taking centre stage when it comes to hosting world-class cultural events.

The Capital – Bendigo’s Performing Arts Centre:

2012 Theatre Season

2012 Soul Food

2012 First Stages

Bendigo Art Gallery:

The Golden Age of Couture Exhibition 2008

Archibald Prize 2008 & 2009

McCubbin Exhibition 2010

The White Wedding Dress Exhibition 2011

Bendigo Easter Festival

Bendigo Fashion Week

Bendigo Writers Festival

Blues & Roots Festival

Groovin’ the Moo

Bendigo Art Gallery

The Capital Theatre

© John Gollings

© Shannon McGrath

Grace Kelly (detail) 1954. Image courtesy of Philippe Halsman/Magnum Photos/Snapper Media.

Grace Kelly: Style Icon Exhibition

Bendigo Easter Festival

Food & WineFor those food and wine aficionados who love a good drop and a hearty meal, you can’t go past central Victoria.

Bendigo and neighbouring towns like Heathcote and Castlemaine have developed what has become a sophisticated and exciting food and wine culture. The tree-changers from Melbourne have a lot to be thanked for!

Whether it’s sitting in magnificent Rosalind Park for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s longest lunch, venturing out to outlying towns for food and wine celebrations or discovering Bendigo’s vibrant cafe and restaurant culture, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer. Heathcote Wine

and Food Festival

Heathcote Farmers Market

Heathcote Longest Lunch

Bendigo Community Farmers Market

Bendigo Heritage Uncorked

Bendigo Olive Fiesta

Bendigo Winegrowers Festival – Castlemaine

Sanguine Estate Wine Festival – Heathcote

Snag, Beer & Bubblefest – Heathcote

Longest Lunch Events

Bendigo Olive Fiesta

Heathcote Food & Wine Festival

Bendigo Farmers Market

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Jayco Bendigo Cup

SportsHorse power, pedal power or people power, Bendigo has the facilities and capabilities to host a myriad of sporting events. From grassroots junior sports carnivals, state and national tennis and bowls tournaments to international world-ranked competitions, recent successes have put Bendigo into the sport circuit’s spotlight.

Our temperate weather, pristine outdoor facilities and state-of-the-art indoor centres make Bendigo a sporting community of choice for all levels of competition.

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Bendigo International MadisonAustralian Country Hockey Championships

Australian Opals Basketball International

Australian School Basketball Championships

Bendigo Bank Fun Run

Bowls Victoria Mens and Womens State Championships

Golden Mile Race Day

Junior Davis Cup / Fed Cup Tennis

Lacrosse State League Super Round

National Easter Orienteering Carnival

Oceania Masters Athletics Championships

Oceania Masters Games

School Sports Australian National Athletic Titles

Victorian State Little Athletics Championships

V/Line State Netball Titles

Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon

Victorian Country Long Course Swimming Championships

WM Loud Bendigo International

Australian Goldfields Open

Jayco Herald Sun Tour

Caravan & Camping Show

Variety Car Club Bash

Motorclassica

Rod, Stock & Custom

...and numerous other car club events

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LifestyleNot only does Greater Bendigo offer a great way of living for its 100,000-plus population, it also has a long history of hosting major life-style events of the size normally reserved for metropolitan Melbourne.

From classic cars and top of the range touring vehicles, climate change and the latest in home and garden designs, Bendigo has a venue and the expertise to showcase major lifestyle exhibitions.

Bendigo National Swap Meet

Bendigo Home & Leisure Show

Wild Deer Hunting & Guiding Expo

Bendigo Home & Leisure Show

Sheep & Wool Show Fashion

Bendigo National Swap MeetMotorclassica

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AgricultureBendigo’s central location has made it a hub for Victorian, interstate and national agricultural and horticultural events.

In recent years our city’s ability to host these events has been enhanced by the development of the multi-million dollar Bendigo Exhibition Centre, hosting everything from sheep and cattle to horses, pedigree dogs, and everything in between.

Our city’s facilities ensure the importance of Australia’s agricultural sector is showcased in true country style.

Australian Sheep & Wool Show

Bendigo Agricultural Show

Bendigo Festival of Lamb

Elite White Suffolk Show and Sale

Elmore & District Field Days

National Beef Show

Victoria Alpaca Colourbration Carnival

National Cutting Horse Association

Australian Sheep & Wool Show

National Beef Show

Bendigo Agricultural Show

Elmore & District Field Days

National Cutting Horse Association

The birthplace of iconic Australian businesses including Myer, Bendigo Bank, Fernwood Fitness Centres, Leggo’s and Jimmy Possum - Bendigo has a thriving business story, both past and present.

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Business

Our city is no stranger to hosting meetings and events in a diverse range of event venues from boutique meeting rooms in galleries and secret hideaways, glamorous theatres and jaw-dropping civic buildings and flexible spaces for 1000 delegates... Big businesses have enjoyed our

warmth and hospitality including ASX 100 listed companies, State and Federal Government roadshows and large scale information sessions and gatherings.

Business is booming in Bendigo.

Taste our regions best wines

Bendigo Pottery – create your own masterpiece

Town Hall Functions

What about time-out?We can provide inspirational pre and post-touring, incentives and partner programs that include searching for gold in a working goldmine, creating a ceramic masterpiece at Australia’s historic Bendigo Pottery, tour the award winning Bendigo and Heathcote wineries and taste the-day-away, relax in spa heaven or shop ’til you drop in our unique precincts and laneways and discover our chef-hatted menus, boutique bistros, abundance of international cuisines, gourmet local produce, and our own tram car restaurant.

Hundreds of conferences and business gatherings annually

Bendigo Inventor Awards

Child Friendly City Conference

Jehovah’s Witness Annual Convention

Livestock Transport Association Convention

Political Party Conferences

VECCI Regional Business Convention

Victorian Farmers Federation Conference

Victorian Parliament Sittings

A contemporary city with population of 105,000. Bendigo offers welcoming and friendly hospitality with the comforts of home.We are very accommodating here in Bendigo.Bendigo spoils visitors with a wide range of accommodation options throughout the city and surrounds including motels, hotels, serviced apartments, self contained, boutique and B&B’s offering more than 3,500 beds.

The free accommodation booking service at the Bendigo Visitor Centre ensures you will find the most suitable accommodation with each delegates accommodation requirements personally managed – they really save you time and are a one-stop shop for group bookings.

event support.Whatever type of event, our advice, local knowledge and support services will enhance your planning.

• Assist with site inspections and familiarisation visits prior to arrival

• Selecting venues and facilities• Promote your event on the City of Greater Bendigo

and Bendigo Tourism websites• Assist with creating your pre and post touring, social,

incentive, team-building and partners programs• Provide promotional material, maps and welcome

kits to delegates utilising the Bendigo Visitor Centre accommodation booking service

• Recommend local audio visual, catering, entertainment, speakers, gifts, transportation and other conference services

• Assist with local media support

travel time & Distance by Car From Melbourne‘s CBD 147km 100min From Daylesford 77km 60min From Castlemaine 38km 30min From Echuca 92km 70min From Ballarat 122km 90min From Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport 120km 80min

travel time by train From Melbourne Southern Cross Station 105min From Castlemaine 25min From Kyneton 45min

travel time & Distance by shuttle Bus From Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport 120km 110min

For more event information and all event enquiries contact the Major Events Team on 03 5434 6000 or visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au

SASI 202239:1

MELBOURNE

BENDIGOHEATHCOTE

BALLARAT

GEELONG

CASTLEMAINE

ECHUCA

MILDURA

Cover: Groovin’ The Moo