7-Day Historic Melbourne to Bendigo Self-Drive
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Overview
Delve into Victoria's gold rush riches on this seven-day self-drive tour from Melbourne to Bendigo and the gold rush cities that developed beyond it.
You'll spend your first couple of days getting acquainted with the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne before hitting the road to Bendigo, a vibrant, contemporary town born out of one of the world's greatest gold rushes.
After another day exploring Bendigo, you'll leave one gold rush town behind in search of yet another and drive from Bendigo to the inland city of Ballarat. From the tree-lined avenues, stunning Victorian and Edwardian buildings and beautiful parks and gardens, the booming riches that the city saw in the 1800s are evident throughout.
Before returning to Melbourne, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Daylesford, a town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range known for its natural mineral springs.
You'll spend your first couple of days getting acquainted with the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne before hitting the road to Bendigo, a vibrant, contemporary town born out of one of the world's greatest gold rushes.
After another day exploring Bendigo, you'll leave one gold rush town behind in search of yet another and drive from Bendigo to the inland city of Ballarat. From the tree-lined avenues, stunning Victorian and Edwardian buildings and beautiful parks and gardens, the booming riches that the city saw in the 1800s are evident throughout.
Before returning to Melbourne, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Daylesford, a town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range known for its natural mineral springs.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Melbourne
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Upon arrival in Melbourne, you'll pick up your rental car for the next seven days of the Melbourne to Bendigo trip and make your way to your hotel, staying in a prime location close to the city. After checking in, you'll have the rest of the day free. Melbourne's trendy and lively atmosphere is infectious; it is known for its culture, gastronomic and sporting activities. Stroll through the city admiring its architecture, its bohemian neighbourhoods and the abundance of places to eat and drink.
Accommodation
Quest Jolimont★4 star
Activities
MelbourneOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
Melbourne
East Melbourne
Day 2
History and Doughnuts Walking Tour
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Combine the historical details with the delicious details on this history and doughnuts walking tour of Melbourne. Beginning at Hosier Lane, you'll admire the ever-changing street art and discover why this laneway is what it is. Next, you'll stop at ACDC Lane to see the former city slums that have transformed into street art and high-end restaurants. Next, you'll head to Chinatown to learn about the second oldest Chinatown in the world. Finally, you'll visit Queen Victoria Market.
Accommodation
Quest Jolimont★4 star
Activities
History and Doughnuts Walking Tour
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
East Melbourne
Melbourne
Day 3
Travel from Melbourne to Bendigo
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Today, you'll leave Melbourne behind and drive to Victoria's fourth-largest city, Bendigo. This vibrant, contemporary town was born out of one of the world's greatest gold rushes. Ever since then it has remained the second-highest producing goldfield in Australia and remains the seventh-largest in the world. Explore its stunning architecture, magnificent gardens, world-class food and wine scene, endless museums and glamourous galleries.
Accommodation
Allawah Bendigo★4 star
Activities
BendigoOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
East Melbourne
Bendigo
Day 4
Explore Bendigo including the Central Deborah Mine
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Today, you'll have time to explore Bendigo. From its vibrant arts to its world-class food and wine, as well as the city's fascinating history at its museums, gardens and galleries, there is so much to explore. Get to know the city today and take a ride on Bendigo's talking tram, tour the Central Deborah Mine, or visit the Golden Dragon Museum.
Accommodation
Allawah Bendigo★4 star
Activities
Central Deborah Gold Mine
Bendigo Tramways
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
Bendigo
Day 5
Journey from Bendigo to Ballarat
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Today, you'll leave one gold rush town behind in search of yet another. Today, you'll drive from Bendigo to the inland city of Ballarat. Here, you'll explore the fascinating heritage of this gold rush legacy. From the tree-lined avenues, stunning Victorian and Edwardian buildings and beautiful parks and gardens, the booming riches that the city saw in the 1800s are evident throughout. As well as gold riches, the city is an established foodie destination with an exciting restaurant scene.
Accommodation
Bakery Hill Motel★3 star
Activities
Maldon
Maldon Historic BakeryOptional Activity
Castlemaine
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Creswick
Andersons Mill
Ballarat
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
Bendigo
Maldon
Castlemaine
Glenluce
Creswick
Bakery Hill
Smeaton
Ballarat
Day 6
Guided Walking Tour of Daylesford
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Today, you'll embark on a walking tour of Daylesford, a town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range known for its natural mineral springs. You'll stop at Daylesford and District Historical Museum, where you can gain further insight and knowledge into the Daylesford township and the untold stories of the people who have made it what it is today. As well as this, you'll tour early Italianate and Grand Victorian architecture and gardens and learn about the region's political history.
Accommodation
Bakery Hill Motel★3 star
Activities
Daylesford
Lake Daylesford
Alices Journeys Guided Walking Tour of Daylesford
Restaurants
Boathouse DaylesfordOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
Bakery Hill
Daylesford
Day 7
Explore Ballarat before returning to Melbourne
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Today, you'll enjoy your last morning of the trip exploring Ballarat before leaving the gold rush cities behind and returning to Melbourne where your trip will come to an end.
Activities
BallaratOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne to MelbourneOptional Activity
Destinations
Bakery Hill
Ballarat
Included in Price
- 6 nights accommodation
- 12 activities
Not Included in Price
- Airport transfer
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- Ground transportation
- International flights
- Laundry
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
Notes
Car rental is not included, but can be added upon request.
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Low season price starting fromAU$1,486
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