Central Victoria

Built on gold

Central Victoria has always been home to artists, many of whom open their studios and exhibit their works throughout the year.

Visiting the grand goldrush towns of Ballarat, just over an hour's drive west from Melbourne and Bendigo, an easy two-hour drive north, takes you through rolling countryside, past great wineries and historic townships filled with galleries, antiques and fresh local produce.

Bendigo Art Gallery

©Shannon McGrath Photography

A few of the cultural highlights of this region include:

• Ballarat, Victoria's largest inland city, home to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the oldest and largest gallery in regional Australia and keeper of the original Eureka flag. Sovereign Hill and the Gold Museum tell the story of the region's immense wealth during the goldrush.
• Clunes, one of the most original and intact gold towns in Australia. In May each year, Back to Booktown welcomes book lovers, booksellers and authors.
• The Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum in Castlemaine which has an excellent collection of Australian art works and historical items from around the area. The biennial Castlemaine State Festival is one of Victoria's oldest events.
• Maldon, which was declared Australia's first 'notable' town by the National Trust in 1966 because of its beautiful 19th century streetscape. The Maldon Museum features a fascinating collection of local domestic and mining memorabilia.
• The Bendigo Art Gallery, one of Australia's oldest and largest regional art galleries with a collection including Australian art from the 1850s to the present day, art from the Bendigo goldfields and 19th century European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts, and an outstanding collection of contemporary Australian art.
• The Golden Dragon Museum, a living history of the Chinese community of Bendigo which has become the hub of Chinese culture in Australia.