This vibrant regional city is a celebration of grand architecture, arts, culture, food and wine along with the great outdoors. The centre of Bendigo is lined with grand gold rush buildings, parklands and laneways, which make it the perfect place to enjoy a stroll during the day or find a bed for the night. If you love a good drop of wine, then Heathcote is a must. This charming regional town is around half an hour’s drive from Bendigo’s CBD. Although it is known worldwide for its Shiraz with plenty of great cellar doors to visit, Heathcote also offers heritage buildings in the main street, boutique accommodation, quaint cafes and nearby breweries. Plus, the town is surrounded by forest, walking and cycling trails, lookouts and the stunning Pink Cliffs.
For a rustic rural escape, venture to the historic towns of the Goldfields where you can stay in restored traditional miners cabins. The fascinating villages of the Goldfields are known for more than just their history which makes the region great to explore during your stay. From the artisans and food culture in Castlemaine, apple growing and cider in Harcourt, farm gates, vintage fashion and natural wonders in the Loddon Valley to the historic townships of Maldon, Dunolly, Talbot and Maryborough, there’s a lot to explore. Also nearby is Echuca Moama, a charming riverboat port known as the ‘paddle-steamer capital of Australia’. No matter which town you decide to claim a stake in, each one combines a sense of country warmth with unique and historical stays.