Bendigo, Victoria

I have to be honest, Bendigo didn't live up to the hype. My expectations were high, given that I'd heard when previously living in Geelong the town had completed extensive restoration works to preserve historical buildings, injecting a new vibrant atmosphere into the area. Admittedly I didn't feel this new energy, probably because I had a sore knee, but I wasn't sold on the town's preservation of history. Having said that, what I did enjoy was the talking tram and felt this was an interesting feature and quirky tourism done well, thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers maintaining, driving and conducting the trams. In 1972 the original passenger tram system was closed due to dwindling usage. News of the closure was met with wide criticism and people took to the streets, approximately 20,000 to say farewell. This overwhelming response prompted local government to implement a 'tourist service' that would see the restoration and preservation of many trams (there are currently 45 trams in the fleet) from all around and the Heritage Registered Bendigo Tramways Depot is now the oldest operating tram depot in Australia.  

What was once a British settler sheep station first established in 1837 dramatically changed to a bustling township in 1851 with the discovery of alluvial gold. In less than a year the population had swelled to approximately 40,000, of mostly prospectors looking to stake a claim and strike it rich. Underground quartz reef gold was then discovered and during the 19th century the Bendigo gold mine was one of the highest producing in Australia. It is said the name of the near by creek derived its name after a local English bare-knuckled prize-fighter, nicknamed 'Bendigo.' In 1863 Sandhurst became the official name of the town, but was always unofficially Bendigo until 1891 when it was officially changed.

Chancery Lane in the city, previously know as Dispensary Lane, due to a Pharmacy is an eclectic fusion of food, fashion and street-art.