The Goldfields is one of the most charming regions of Victoria and easily one of the best day trips or weekend getaways from Melbourne. The best things to do in the Goldfields include visiting the beautifully-preserved major towns of Bendigo & Ballarat, spending a wine-filled weekend at Heathcote on show, visiting the Bendigo Art Gallery and stepping back in time at Sovereign Hill.
Surrounding Bendigo & Ballarat, a scattering of smaller villages like Maldon, Castlemaine & Heathcote offer visitors even more to explore in the Goldfields region. Living in Melbourne, the Goldfields is one of my favourite weekend destinations.
The Goldfields are named for the Victorian Gold Rush in the 19th century, which attracted thousands of people from all over the world to Australia, trying to find their fortunes. In fact, the Gold Rush in Australia was so successful that it is credited with destroying the Californian Gold Rush!
PS. Planning a trip to Victoria? Check out the best places to visit in Victoria for more ideas.
Explore Bendigo
Bendigo is a beautifully-preserved Gold Rush boomtown, the second-largest town in the Goldfields and one of the most charming country towns in Australia. The wide streets of downtown Bendigo are lined with stately and ornate architecture and well-preserved historical features, like the 19th century Alexandra Fountain and Victorian-era Rosalind Park.
Bendigo has been designated a UNESCO Creative City & Region of Gastronomy, a reflection of the city’s creative energy, unique regional food culture and dedication to local, sustainable and creative produce.
Explore Ballarat
Ballarat is the largest town in the Goldfields, and has preserved the grandeur of its Gold Rush days in its wide, leafy streets in the centre of town.
Ballarat is a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, reflecting its commitment to building a resilient and sustainable creative sector, with a focus on crafts and folk art. It’s no surprise then that Ballarat is home to one of Australia’s oldest art schools, Federation University. Ballarat’s historic centre is unmissable, with ornate Victorian architecture lining the streets, especially around Sturt St, Lydiard St and Little Bridge St.
Heathcote on Show
Heathcote on Show is an annual wine festival, held over the Kings Birthday Long Weekend every year in June. Heathcote is a small but charming Goldfields village, but it springs to life during Heathcote on Show when local winemakers take over more that 25 venues in town, bringing the best of the Heathcote wine region to the main street of Heathcote. Heathcote’s wine region is celebrated within the Goldfields wine regions, and is best known for its distinctive Heathcote Shiraz.
Goldfields Wine Regions
The Goldfields is home to four excellent, cool climate wine regions; Bendigo, Ballarat, Heathcote and the Pyrenees wine regions. While they share many similarities, and all produce spectacular reds, there are subtle differences to explore.
Bendigo’s wine regiion is known for its shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, and is perfect combined with a weekend in Bendigo. The Ballarat wine region is known for its pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wines, and Heathcote wine region is best known for its world class Heathcote shiraz.
The Pyrenees wine region is home to 44 cellar doors, and was founded in the 1960s by French brandy producer, Remy Martin. Today, it’s known for its savoury, spicy reds, like shiraz and cabernet.
Masons of Bendigo
Masons of Bendigo is one of my favourite regional restaurants in Australia, so much so that I’ve visited two or three times! Reservations are essential, as it’s one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Goldfields. Masons of Bendigo offers a fine dining experience, but won’t break the bank, making it a great opportunity to experience top notch dining on a modest budget.
Sleepover at Balgownie Estate
Located just outside Bendigo, Balgownie Estate is a beautiful winery with onsite cottages and glamping tents. We stayed in a cottage at Balgownie on a weekend away in Bendigo, and it was so cosy! I loved being able to stroll from a wine tasting, to enjoy a glass of our favourite wines on bean bags on the lawn, and then back to our cottage.
Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is an open air museum that recreates a 19th century Gold Rush Town. Visiting is an immersive experience, as visitors can explore the homes, shops & restaurants that have been recreated in 19th century style.
It’s perfect for families, with actors roaming around in historical costume to add to the effect. We don’t have kids, but visited for the annual Winter Wonderlights festival which is held every July, which is a spectacular light show projected onto the historical streetscape after dark.
Ballarat Begonia Festival
Every March, the Ballarat Begonia Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the Ballarat Botanic Gardens. We were lucky enough to stumble on the festival by chance, but I’d highly recommend including it in your plans if you’ll be in the Goldfields in March. Housed inside a conservatory, the begonia festival is one of the most beautiful flower festivals in Australia.
Mitchell Harris Wines
Located in Ballarat, Mitchell Harris Wines is one of the best wine bars in the Goldfields. Mitchell Harris Wines is widely recognised across the Goldfields and in Melbourne as a must-visit bar & restaurant in Ballarat. Mitchell Harris Wines has been winemaking since 2008, and offers a full wine bar & dining experience in the heart of Ballarat.
The menu is made up of stylish small plates, and the wine list expands beyond Michell Harris Wines, with a blend of young gun local winemakers, big names in Australian wines and international options.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Located on the shore of Lake Wendouree, Ballarat Botanical Gardens is one of the most important cool climate botanical gardens in Australia. The large gardens are 4km from the centre of Ballarat, and has four distinct zones.
The Central Zone is a traditional botanical garden, with mature trees and flowering plant collections. The gardens come to life every March for the Ballarat Begonia Festival.
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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