FAQ - Bendigo Heritage Attractions

Central Deborah Gold Mine

WHAT ARE YOUR OPERATING HOURS?
Central Deborah Gold Mine is open from 9:30am – 4:30pm daily, excluding Christmas and Boxing Day.

DO I NEED TO MAKE A BOOKING?
Bookings are highly recommended for our Mine Experience Tour, especially during school and public holidays. Book online here. Bookings are not required to explore the surface.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT ON ANY OF THE TOURS?
Mine Experience Tour = 3 years of age and over

HOW LONG ARE THE TOURS?
The Mine Experience Tour is 75 minutes. Allow 45 minutes to explore the surface.

ARE TOURS GUIDED?
You will be taken underground by one of our expert tour guides. The surface of the mine is a self-guided experience.

WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE UNDERGROUND?
The Mine Experience Tour on Level 2 is an average of 14 degrees. Make sure you bring along a jacket and wear enclosed shoes.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A HARD HAT?
It is a safety requirement that everyone who descends underground must wear a hard hat at all times. Head wear which obstructs the hard hat from being properly fitted cannot be worn under the hard hats. We have smaller hard hats available for children.

IS THIS A REAL GOLD MINE AND WILL I SEE REAL GOLD?
Yes, Central Deborah Gold Mine operated from 1939 to 1954 and produced almost one ton (929kg) of gold. On each of our underground tours you will be shown gold in its natural state, and find out how to look for it.

ARE THERE LIGHTS UNDERGROUND?
Yes, there are some lights underground on the Mine Experience Tour.

DO WE WALK AROUND UNDERGROUND?
Yes, you will descend underground in a lift and be guided on foot through the underground tunnels. Wear enclosed shoes.

ARE CAMERAS ALLOWED ON THE TOUR?
Yes, handheld cameras are allowed however camera equipment and large camera cases are not.

ARE STROLLERS/PRAMS ALLOWED UNDERGROUND?
Strollers/Prams cannot be taken underground but you are welcome to leave them at reception.

ARE THE TOURS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Yes, the Mine Experience Tour is wheelchair accessible.

ARE BACKPACKS ALLOWED UNDERGROUND?
No, but you are welcome to leave them at reception in a secure locker.

DO YOU HAVE A PARENTS/BABY CHANGING ROOM?
Yes, our baby’s change room is located on the surface of the mine.

WHAT IS AIR QUALITY LIKE UNDERGROUND?
There is good air flow throughout the mine.

DO YOU HAVE TRANSLATIONS AVAILABLE?
We have French, German, Chinese, Italian and Spanish translation sheets available for the Mine Experience Tour.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE FOR BUSES AND CAMPERVANS?
Yes, long parking bays are available along Creek Street.

ARE DOGS ALLOWED?
Dogs are welcome on the surface of the mine. They must remain on a leash at all times. They can not be taken underground.

Bendigo Tramways

WHAT ARE YOUR OPERATING HOURS?
Vintage Talking Tram Tours operate between 10:00am – 4:30pm daily, excluding Christmas Day.
The Bendigo Tramways Depot and Workshop is currently closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
No, reservations are not essential. We recommend booking online to ensure you don't miss out.
We do recommend booking for groups of 10 or more people.

WHERE SHOULD I CATCH THE TRAM FROM?
The Vintage Talking Tram Tour starts at Central Deborah Gold Mine but you can hop on a tram at any of the tram stops. These are located at Central Deborah, Charring Cross, Lake Weeroona, and the Bendigo Joss House.

HOW LONG SHOULD I ALLOW FOR A VINTAGE TALKING TRAM TOUR?
The Vintage Talking Tram Tour takes 1 hour to complete if you stay on board and don’t hop off at any of the stops.

HOW LONG IS MY TICKET VALID FOR?
Tickets are valid for one day of travel. Hop-on and hop-off as often as you like to explore the many attractions, parks, shopping and dining facilities that Bendigo has to offer.

ARE YOUR TRAMS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Some of them are. We recommend phoning in advance so we can ensure the right tram is on the tracks for your visit. Ramp access for boarding the tram is available at Central Deborah Gold Mine.

DO YOU HAVE TRANSLATIONS AVAILABLE?
We have printed sheets available in French, German and Mandarin.

DO YOU OFFER TOURS OF THE DEPOT & WORKSHOP?
Unfortunately, the Depot and Workshop is currently closed.

ARE CAMERAS ALLOWED ON THE TOUR?
Yes, of course.

ARE DOGS ALLOWED ON THE TRAMS?
Yes, as long as they are on a leash at all times and are kind to other passengers. It is at the discretion of the Tram Driver and Conductor.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE FOR BUSES AND CAMPERVANS?
Yes, long parking bays are available along Creek Street at Central Deborah Gold Mine and Lake Weeroona.

CAN THE TRAMS BE HIRED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS?
Absolutely, we’ve hosted business events, hens nights and birthday parties. Full details here.

Bendigo Joss House Temple

WHAT IS A JOSS HOUSE?
The Bendigo Joss House Temple is a Chinese place of worship that was constructed during the 1870s and is one of the few remaining original buildings of its type in Australia.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPERATING HOURS?
10:30am – 3:00pm each Saturday and Sunday, excluding Christmas and Boxing Day.

DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
No, reservations are not essential. We do recommend booking for groups of 10 or more people.

HOW LONG SHOULD I ALLOW FOR A VISIT?
30-45 minutes.

HOW DO I GET TO THE TEMPLE?
The best way is by Vintage Talking Tram. The Bendigo Joss House Temple sits at the Northern end of the route at Tram Stop No. 6.

IS THIS A PRACTICING TEMPLE?
Yes, worshippers are welcome free of charge.

WHAT BELIEF SYSTEMS ARE PRACTICED AT THE TEMPLE?
A blend of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism

TO WHOM IS THE MAIN TEMPLE DEDICATED TO?
Guan-Di (Kwan Gong), the god of war and prosperity. The Chinese saw him as a wise judge, guide, protector and provider of wealth and prosperity; attributes sought by the Chinese inhabitants of this strange land.

IS THE JOSS HOUSE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Unfortunately not, there are small steps at each doorway which have cultural significance.

DO YOU HAVE TRANSLATIONS AVAILABLE?
Our interpretive signage is translated into Mandarin.

ARE CAMERAS ALLOWED IN THE TEMPLE?
Yes, of course.

ARE DOGS ALLOWED IN THE TEMPLE?
Unfortunately not, but you are welcome to tie them up out the front in our garden area.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE FOR BUSES AND CAMPERVANS?
Yes, we have parking available at the front of the temple.