BENDIGO

the city "bendigo" is located in the center of victoria, 150 kilometres north-west of melbourne, and has 101000 residents. originally it was a large sheep station - yet in 1851 gold was detected. the "gold boom" was the biggest in victoria and lasted about 130 years. at that time bendigo got linked to melbourne by railway.

most of bendigo's grand buildings go back to that time, when it was called."golden city".

here are some photos of historic buidings:

hotels were always a serious matter in bendigo, built in any size from grand to modest.

bendigo had a far-reaching tram system. two lines are left, mainly for tourists.

in bendigo not that many churches were built - but this recent one, completed in 1977, is actually the largest church in provincial australia.

since the "golden era" very many chinese people live in bendigo. they have their own museum, and every year a historic show gets conducted.

bendigo has both history and modern art museums, all well-equipped. even the bendigo bank (which happens to be my bank) has an 'arty' main building.

a unique combination of museum & handicraft work & shop is the "bendigo pottery", the largest in australia.

finally - as far as i know, one gold-mining company is still operating in bendigo, the fosterville gold mine. all other have closed down, but can be visited.

and one historic mining tower is there on a hill, for visitors.

to sum up - - visiting bendigo is fun because in this city one can see both, very historic and very temporary features.