Residents and visitors can rediscover the joy of play this autumn through a vibrant Play Bendigo Region destination campaign celebrating nostalgia, retro fun, and immersive experiences across the Bendigo Region*.
Over 60 events and experiences are featured in the program to entice visitors and residents to put down their mobiles and discover a renewed connection through traditional play and the joy that it brings.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the campaign was a wonderful reminder that there is no age limit to having fun and being playful.
“This campaign turns the Bendigo Region into one big, connected play zone, full of nostalgic references to spark childhood memories and rediscover a sense of fun through games, interactive adventures and brainteasers,” Cr Prince said.
“There are many free experiences in the program such as Hop, Scotch, Jump along View Street, Bendigo, Inglewood Main Street and Heathcote High Street (near the playspace), Dragons and Ladders at the piazza in Rosalind Park, Duck and Seek at various locations, Floor is Lava on Pall Mall, an Imaginary Jungle with augmented reality animals and plants in Hargreaves Mall and much more.
“The free Play Passport invites you to explore other places in the region including new discoveries and old favourites that you may not have visited for a while. Complete the passport to go into a draw to win a fantastic ‘Tram Driver for a Day’ experience from Bendigo Tramways.
“Thank you to all those involved in this exciting destination campaign to attract visitors and entice more locals to explore the incredible offerings in our own region. Local hospitality and tourist attractions are joining the fun with nostalgic flavours, trivia, cocktails, and retro-inspired play themes.
Loddon Shire Mayor Cr Dan Straub said the Bendigo Region program captured many immersive and unique experiences.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Loddon surrounds with some exciting events such as the Rheola Charity Carnival on April 6, a Retro Paddle on the Serpentine creek on April 11 and May 3, the amazing Spanner Autumn Outdoor Adventure at the Spanner Man Sculpture Garden on April 18, and the chance to prospect for gold with the Gold Nugget Hunter on April 18 and May 16 as part of the Gold Fever – Loddon Gold Experience,” Cr Straub said.
“Loddon Shire Council is proud to partner with the City of Greater Bendigo to showcase incredible events across the Loddon region.
“By working together to promote our towns, experiences and local businesses, we’re encouraging more visitors to explore the wider region, supporting local businesses and helping grow our visitor economy.”
*Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon is the evolution of the Bendigo Tourism Board, recognised by the Victorian Government as the Visitor Economy Partnership (visitor economy lead) for Greater Bendigo, Heathcote, and Loddon.
Event highlights
Play for free highlights include:
- Play Passport: Discover nostalgic hotspots and hands-on activities across the region. Complete the passport to go into a draw to win a fantastic ‘Tram Driver for a Day’ experience from Bendigo Tramways
- Dragons + Ladders: A giant interactive board game at Rosalind Park’s piazza
- Hop, Scotch, Jump decals along View Street, Bendigo, Inglewood Main Street and Heathcote High Street near the playspace
- Bendigo Easter Festival has a wide range of free play activities in Rosalind Park and free cultural experiences
- Giant chess and school holiday crafts in Hargreaves Mall from April 7 to April 18 as part of a school holiday program
- Floor is Lava decals encouraging you to hop on the Play Bendigo Region logo squares
- Duck and Seek: Find 13 hidden ducks, each with its own number and identity at various locations in the region
- Take your favourite LEGOR figure on an adventure through stunning local spots in Loddon Valley and upload your photos on the LEGOR-figures in the Wild Facebook post for the chance to win a $100 voucher and two tickets to CURIOSITY
- View Street Amplified has upbeat indie and contemporary music on The Capital steps on Saturday March 28 (and every month until November)
- Bit Sketchi Bendigo invites you to draw and paint quick colourful sketches outside Dudley House, complementing the View Street Amplified on March 28 and on April 10 in Hargreaves Mall (free but bookings required)
- Imaginary Jungle is an augmented reality fun experience where you can use your mobile to spot animals and plants and enjoy the soundscape and animated video in Hargreaves Mal from April 3-19. A free live projected digital puppet show and music performance in the Mall is on April 19
- Bendigo Art Collective Art Market in Hargreaves Mall, April 11
Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon offerings include:
- CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGOR Bricks at the Discovery Centre in collaboration with Bendigo Art Gallery until November
Bendigo Art Gallery school holiday program - Bendigo Treasures: Brick by Brick is a stunning exhibition at MacKenzie Quarters featuring the city’s beloved landmarks recreated using LEGO bricks from Good Friday to Easter Monday (entry is a donation to Bendigo Foodshare)
- Bendigo Watersports presents a Retro Paddle at the Serpentine Creek on April 13 and May 3 where 80s and 90s retro fashion is encouraged
- Bendigo Tramways Café roof has been transformed with colourful bricks that create a vibrant, nostalgic backdrop inspired by childhood play. A Karaoke Tram and lawn games are also on offer. Complete the Play Passport to go into a draw to win a fantastic ‘Tram Driver for a Day’ experience from Bendigo Tramways
- Lakehouse Hotel’s Build the Fun. Kids get a bag of LEGOR with a kids' meal order
- The Sporting Globe is hosting fortnightly themed trivia nights every second Wednesday
- The Rheola Charity Carnival in Inglewood promises real country entertainment on April 6
- Bendigo Pottery Workshops from April 8-17
- Bendigo Bricks 2026 at Bendigo Showgrounds April 11-12 featuring over 160 LEGO® builds
- Spanner Man Autumn Outdoor Adventure on April 18 includes kite flying and family entertainment and 40 stunning spanner sculptures in Barraport
- Gold Fever – Loddon Gold Experience – enjoy prospecting and fossicking demonstrations on April 18 and May 16 in the Loddon Valley
- Autumn Wreath Workshop at Pure Maiden Farm, Maiden Gully on April 25
- Bendigo Golden Bricks – build a LEGOR creation and snap a photo at the Bendigo sign
- Bendigo After Dark through the historic precinct
- The Woodhouse brings a crafted signature cocktail
- The Great Stupa presents ILLUMIN8 to celebrate peace and harmony inspired by Buddha’s life on May 2
- Grape Day Out, Rosalind Park on May 2
- Bendigo Progressive Fine Dining at various locations on May 28
- Bendigo Brewing has Thursday night trivia, free to play. Bookings required
- Hotel Shamrock Ghost Tours with access to the untouched fourth floor accompanied by ghostly tales from the gold rush era
- A Taste of Bendigo Foodie Walking Tour at various locations
- Historic Bendigo City Walking Tours
- Two new escape room at Cryptorium together with school holiday activities, karaoke and game nights including bingo
- The Discovery Centre invites you to Play on the Vertical Slide, get close to Pogo and Priscilla at Dragon Feeding, take a Space Tour and marvel at Bugs Life
- Star Cinema is screening Kids’ Movie Specials and Nostalgic Throwback Movie Specials
- Gaffney’s in Heathcote has nostalgic Neenish tarts and Iced Vo-Vo biscuits until July 19
- Heathcote Winery celebrates wine, art and connection featuring Bendigo artist Steven Stanley’s solo exhibition, Perfectly Imperfect, until April 13
- Admire original work from 40 local artists involved in the Eat.Drink.Art program while shopping, eating, or drinking on View Street until August 2. Over 30 venues involved
- Green Chair Vintage on Hargreaves Street invites you to browse nostalgic collections including comic books and classic vinyl records
Mah Jong evening game sessions at the Golden Dragon Museum for over 16s until July 19. Bookings required - Heathcote on Show on the King’s birthday weekend (June 6, 7 and 8) will have tastings, new releases, music, and gourmet food
- Electric Wonderland will transform Rosalind Park with plenty of new hands-on experiences and innovative light installations from June 26 to July 14