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Plan your trip to the 2025 Bendigo Easter Festival

Media release

With the 2025 Bendigo Easter Festival starting this Friday, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to and from the major event during the busy long weekend.

Road closures and detours will be in place in the city centre to facilitate the staging of Bendigo’s biggest homegrown community festival. Many of the road closures will be in effect from Wednesday April 16 to Monday April 21.

No unauthorised vehicles will be permitted within the Bendigo Easter Festival precinct/road closure areas during event times. These areas have been declared a temporary tow away zone.

Residents and visitors are strongly advised not to park or leave a car overnight in the tow away zone. Any unauthorised vehicle left in the road closure area during the event times will be towed to a location outside of the closure area if Victoria Police is unable to contact the owner to move the vehicle.

City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said it was important for people to be aware in advance of the tow away zone and road closures.

“The road closures and the tow away zone across the festival precinct are necessary to meet the needs of staging Bendigo’s biggest community festival and accommodate thousands of people flocking to events and activities on foot,” Mr Myatt said.

“The City would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and local businesses for their understanding and patience while these temporary road closures are in place.

“I strongly encourage residents and visitors to plan your trip to the festival using the detailed information and updates on the Bendigo Easter Festival website and Facebook.

For festival information, including maps for road closures and accessibility, visit:

Bendigo Easter Festival website

Important festival information

Key road closures (including some prior to Good Friday)

Here are some of the key roads that will be closed, including some prior to Good Friday:

  • Sidney Myer Place between Pall Mall and Rosalind Park (closed from 6am Wednesday April 16 to 6am Monday April 21)
  • Mundy Street between Pall Mall and Myers Street (closed from 6am on Thursday April 17 to 6am, Monday April 21)
  • Lyttleton Terrace between St Andrews Avenue and Mundy Street (closed from 6am Thursday April 17 to 6am, Monday April 21)
  • William Vahland Place between Pall Mall and Rosalind Park (closed from 6am Thursday April 17 to 6am, Monday April 21)
  • Bull Street between Pall Mall and Hargreaves Street (closed from 6am Thursday April 17 to 6am, Monday April 21)
  • Hargreaves Street between the multi storey car park and Mundy Street (closed from 6am Thursday April 17 to 6am, Monday April 21)
  • Easter Fair Way between McCrae Street and Park Road (closed from 4pm on Thursday April 17 to 6pm, Sunday April 20)
  • Bridge Street between Howard Plane and Park Road closed from 4pm on Thursday April 17 to 6pm on Sunday April 20)
  • Park Road between Bridge Street and Gaol Road (from 4pm Thursday April 17 to 6pm on Sunday April 20)
  • High Street Northbound between Forest Street and View Street (closed from 6am Friday April 18 to 6pm on Sunday April 20)
  • Pall Mall between View Street and Mundy Street (closed from 6am on Friday April 18 to 6pm, Sunday April 20)
  • McCrae Street between Mundy Street and Chapel Street (from 6am on Friday April 18 to 6pm, Sunday April 20)
  • McCrae Street between Mundy Street and Baxter Street (from 6am on Saturday April 19 to 6pm on Sunday April 20)
  • Williamson Street between Pall Mall and Hargreaves Street (from 6am on Friday April 18 to 6pm, Sunday April 20)
  • View Street South/East bound between Barnard Street and Rowan Street (from 6am Saturday April 19 to 6pm Sunday April 20)
  • View Street between Rowan Street and Pall Mall (from 6am Saturday April 19 to 6pm on Sunday April 20)
  • Chapel Street from McCrae Street and Hargreaves Street (from 6am Saturday April 19 to 6pm Sunday April 20
  • Bridge Street from McCrae Street and Arnold Street (from 6am Saturday April 19 to 6pm Sunday April 20) 
Multi storey car parks

During the festival, the two multi storey car parks will be open for longer and are free of charge:

  • Hargreaves Street multi storey car park (opposite Bendigo Library)
    Good Friday: 7am – 8pm
    Saturday: 7am – 11pm
    Easter Sunday: 7am – 8pm
  • Edward Street multi storey car park (75 Queen Street)
    Good Friday: 7am – 8pm
    Saturday: 7am – 11pm
    Easter Sunday: 7am –8pm
Car park closures

Please note the following car parks will be closed at various times during the festival:

  • The McCrae Street car park will be closed and declared a temporary tow away zone from 6pm Thursday April 17 until 6am Tuesday April 22
  • The Queen Elizabeth Oval car park will be closed and declared a temporary tow away zone from 6am Saturday April 19 until 6pm Sunday April 20
  • The Tom Flood Sports Centre car park will be closed and declared a temporary tow away zone from 6am Saturday April 19 until 6pm Sunday April 20
Accessibility

Designated accessible parking close to the festival precinct will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Williamson Street (between Hargreaves Street and Pall Mall).

The following accessible parking will be available for parade times only:

  • McCrae Street (near Chapel/Bridge Street intersection)
  • Mitchell Street (Pall Mall end)
  • Mackenzie Street (View Street end)
  • Bath Lane (access via Mitchell Street)

Disability permits need to be always displayed in your car. You will be asked to present your permit to the traffic controller. These locations are detailed in the accessibility map which also marks the locations for accessible toilets during the festival, including the Marveloo at McCrae Street car park, toilets in Rosalind Park, Tom Flood Sports Centre and the Changing Places at Hargreaves multi storey car park.

Along the parade route there will be designated viewing areas for people using motorised scooters and wheelchairs. These areas will be clearly signed, please be considerate and keep these areas clear.

  • View Street (Mackenzie Street intersection)
  • Alexandra Fountain (Pall Mall and View Street intersection)
  • McCrae Street (Chapel/Bridge Street intersection)

To view the accessibility map, visit:

Bendigo Easter Festival: Accessibility

Public toilets

Public toilets are located throughout the city centre and festival precinct. Locations are: Rosalind Park, Mews Laneway (behind the Bendigo Visitor Centre), McCrae Street car park, Queen Elizabeth Oval, Tom Flood Sports Centre and Hargreaves Street (near the multi storey car park).

Child safety

A parent room, First Aid and Event Information and Lost Persons tent are located in Rosalind Park, near the Sidney Myer Place Bridge. Wristbands are available at the Bendigo Visitor Centre and at the Information Tent in Rosalind Park. The wristbands are often worn by dependants and young children and include the name and mobile number of a parent/carer.

Hydration stations

Three Coliban Water Hydration Stations are also in the precinct: at the View Street entrance to Rosalind Park, one close to Sydney Myer Bridge in Rosalind Park, and another at the Dai Gum San Precinct. Don’t forget to bring a drink bottle for a free water refill.

Transport

Bendigo Tramways Park ‘n’ Ride Tram shuttle ticket is a great option to avoid traffic and parking issues and travel easily to and from the city centre. Tram stops are at Central Deborah Gold Mine, Lake Weeroona and Bendigo Joss House Temple and tickets are valid all day, $5 per person (children 15 and under are free). The shuttle will run every 20 minutes from 9.30am to 5pm from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

Bicycle parking is available in Rosalind Park at the View Street end (please bring your own bike lock).

Beam share hire e-scooters will have a no parking zone and a no-go zone covering the festival precinct. These zones will be activated from 6am on Wednesday April 16 until 6pm Monday April 21.

Public Transport will operate over the Easter weekend. Some services will be impacted by road closures during the festival. For more information, visit:

Public Transport Victoria website

Locations:
Greater Bendigo