Bendigo

The words charm and elegance are often used to describe the regional city of Bendigo, which is famous for its beautiful boom-town architecture from the 19th century, its magnificent tree-lined streets, and its thriving arts and food culture.

Bendigo is in the Greater Bendigo City Council area.

Location information

Climate

In summer (January), Bendigo's average minimum temperature is 14.3 degrees, and the average maximum is 28.9. In winter (July) average temperatures range from a minimum of 3.5 to a maximum of 12.1. The town's average annual rainfall is 550.7mm.

Population

100,054 (Source: estimated resident population ABS Census).

Cultural diversity

Around 10 percent of people living in Bendigo were born outside Australia.

Migrants have settled in Bendigo from:

• England (1.7%)
• Netherlands (0.2%)
• New Zealand (0.6%)
• Germany (0.2%)
• Scotland (0.3%)

Around six percent of people living in Bendigo speak a language other than English at home.

Languages spoken in Bendigo include:

• Italian (0.2%)
• German (0.1%)
• Mandarin (0.2%)
• Cantonese (0.1%)
• Greek (0.2%)

Finding a job

Key industries and employers

The top five industries by employment in Bendigo are:

Local skill shortages

Skill shortages in Bendigo are in the following occupations:

• Accountants
• Building and engineering professionals
• General electricians
• Metal fitters
• Metal machinists
• Midwives
• Motor mechanics
• Paediatricians
• Plumbers
• Psychiatrists
• Radiologists
• Registered mental health nurses
• Registered nurses (general and critical care and rehabilitation)
• School teachers
• Sonographers
• Specialist medical practitioners orthopaedic (general)
• Specialists: obstetrics and gynaecology
• Structural construction tradespeople
• Structural steel and welding tradespeople
• Surgeons: ear, nose and throat; general
• Urologists

Job search links

To see jobs currently available in Bendigo, visit:

• Bendigo skilled migration
• MyCareer
• Seek
• Careerone
• True Local

Lifestyle information

Housing and accommodation

In the year to April 2008, the median price of houses sold in Bendigo was $230,000.

In December 2007, the median rent for a two-bedroom flat in Bendigo was $180 per week, and the median rent for a three-bedroom house was $220 per week.

For information about local hotels, motels and caravan parks, visit the Bendigo Tourism's accommodation directory.

To find a local real estate agent, visit the REIV agent directory, type 'Bendigo' into the search box, select 'suburb' and then press 'search'.

Healthcare

Bendigo Health Care Group and St John of God Hospital are the main health service located in Bendigo. For information about healthcare providers in the Bendigo area, please visit the Victorian Better Health Channel's health services directory.

More information on Victoria's healthcare system can be found in the Health & Medical section.

Schools

For information on schools in Bendigo, visit the Schools Online website and search for ‘Bendigo’. More information on Victoria's education system can be found in the Education & Childcare section.

Travel

Distance and travel time

Bendigo is about 150km north west of Melbourne. You can travel from Bendigo to Melbourne by:

• car (1 hour 45 minutes)
• coach (2 hours)
• train (2 hours), express train (1 hour 40 minutes).

Nearby towns are:

• Castlemaine (39km)
• Seymour (96km)
• Maryborough (69km)
• Echuca (104km)

Public transport

Buses operate around Bendigo, and between the town and surrounding areas. For specific routes and timetables, please visit the regional bus information on VicLink and select from the drop down list.

Places of worship

For information about where you can practice your faith, please visit your religion's Australian website. To find it, visit Google, type in the name of your religion, and select 'pages from Australia'.

Sport and recreation

For more information about sport and recreation in Bendigo, please visit the Greater Bendigo City Council website.

Bendigo attractions

• See Australian art from the 1850's to today at the Bendigo Art Gallery
• Go underground at the restored Central Deborah gold mine
• Explore the Chinese Dragon Museum
• Browse the city's famous antique and book stores
• Bendigo Wine Festival (April)
• National Sheep and Wool Show (July)
• Spring in the Bendigo Bush (September)