Bendigo: The place to sample fine food and wine this winter

If you thought the cold weather was a good excuse to hit pause on your travel adventures, think again.

Winter is when many Victorian towns shine and among the brightest is Bendigo.

The historic town, just two hours drive north-west of Melbourne or a direct flight from Sydney with QantasLink, has just become Australia’s first and only UNESCO Creative City & Region of Gastronomy.

With a wealth of restaurants, cafes, wineries, breweries and bars, it’s no wonder Bendigo won the accolade.

The UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recognised the town’s commitment to local, sustainable, delicious and creative produce.

Most importantly for visitors, the food is delicious!

Enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, including viewing through telescopes and live projected images at Wine Under The Stars. Photo: City of Greater Bendigo

A good place to start is The Shiraz Republic – Wine Under The Stars on June 26.

Share a night of wonder and wine under the stars with the Astronomical Society of Victoria at Shiraz Republic.

View galaxies, nebulae and be treated to a tour of the sky.

The Barrel Wine Tasting Weekend is on July 10 and 11. Photo: City of Greater Bendigo

Don’t stop there oenophiles. There’s also the Barrel Wine Tasting Weekend on July 10 and 11, where Bendigo winemakers take you through to the barrel rooms for a closer look at the winemaking process.

All ages will enjoy the Awaken; Bendigo Brought to Light night lights display at Rosalind Park.

Held every night after dark between June 26 and July 17, the 14 artistic lighting displays tell the story of Bendigo’s history, including the traditional custodians of the land, the Dja Dja Wurrung People.

Bendigo Beer’s annual event, Bendigo On The Hop will showcase some of Australia’s best independent breweries. Photo: City of Greater Bendigo

Festivities continue in July with the two-day Australian Sheep and Wool Show, a popular event hosted in Bendigo since 1877.

It attracts more than 5000 farmers and 28 different breeds of sheep, goats and alpacas to put the best of Australia’s woollen fashion and food on show.

This includes the Sheep Show’s ‘Women of Wool’ lunch, which features the Australian Wool Innovation fashion parades and more than 250 stallholders.

On August 28, Bendigo is all about beer.

The popular winter beer festival, Bendigo on the Hop, brings together craft brewers with beer lovers to enjoy excellent beers, food and live music housed in unique locations in the centre of Bendigo.

Now all that’s left to do is grab your coats and beanies.

Go see Bendigo shine this winter!

See the full program of 50+ Ignite events and experiences.