Walk in the footsteps of Bendigo’s Chinese miners, a courageous community that helped shape a city and inspire the world. On this small-group cultural journey, you’ll trace the story of Dai Gum San (“Big Gold Mountain”), where thousands of Chinese diggers endured hardship, prejudice, and triumph during one of the greatest gold rushes in history. Led by a passionate local guide, this immersive tour reveals the hidden history of Bendigo’s Chinese community through rare heritage sites including the 1850s Chinese Diggings and one of Australia’s rare regional Chinese cemeteries. 

Along the way, you’ll hear stories of perseverance, community, and fortitude with tales of miners crossing oceans and deserts to seek fortune and freedom, and whose legacy still echoes through Bendigo’s streets today. The journey includes morning tea at PepperGreen Farm, a social enterprise built on the site of the original Chinese market gardens.

Note: Tour does not include access to Chinese Joss House due to it being closed on weekdays.

Free Pick and Up and Drop Off in Bendigo available.

What to Expect

Step into the story of Dai Gum San or “Big Gold Mountain”on this immersive 3hour journey through Bendigo’s Chinese heritage. Travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with short, easy walks at each stop, you’ll explore authentic gold-rush sites, sacred resting grounds, and living community landmarks that tell the story of Bendigo’s earliest Chinese pioneers. Expect a relaxed pace, plenty of photo opportunities, and moments to connect with the spirit of resilience that helped shape the city.

Highlights

• Walk among the Chinese Diggings at White Hills – explore one of Bendigo’s few remaining goldfield sites and try your hand at panning for real gold on the historic diggings.
  

• Visit the historic Chinese Cemetery – step into one of Australia’s most significant Chinese burial grounds, a peaceful landscape of carved headstones and symbolic offerings that honour the lives, hopes, and journeys of those who came seeking fortune and found belonging.
  

• Experience PepperGreen Farm – wander through the vibrant gardens established on the site of the original Chinese market gardens, view the site of a preserved 1850s brick kiln, and enjoy morning tea featuring fresh local produce and home-baked scones.
  

• Explore the Golden Dragon Museum and Chinese Gardens – admire stunning artefacts, photographs, and processional regalia that celebrate Bendigo’s Chinese community including the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong, before enjoying a peaceful stroll through the adjoining ornamental gardens.

Each stop brings Bendigo’s Chinese legacy vividly to life, from the red earth of the diggings to the enduring symbols of culture, craftsmanship, and community that continue to thrive today.

What Guests are Saying

“My wife and I were fortunate to be able to join Jamie from Bendigo Guided Tours on a very informative tour of the Chinese mines and precinct. 27 years in Bendigo and I went to places that I have never been to before. If anyone is wanting a tour, I would recommend Bendigo Guided Tours”  - Two Adults One Child (Trip Advisor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Jamie, thank you so so much for today! We honestly didn’t know what to expect but your tour succeeded in anything we could have imagined. It was something we both needed for ourselves. I can’t wait to experience more tours” Rhiannon (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Great day spent learning about Bendigo, it's history and hidden gems. Jaimie showed a great mix of buildings, landmarks and gold mines. His knowledge is in depth and his passion about history makes it even more enjoyabl”. - Elizabeth C (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Itinerary

We meet and conclude at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51-57 Pall Mall (or alternatively, Pick Up and Drop Off is available).

10:00am – Visitor Centre:

Meet your local guide and begin your journey into the story of Dai Gum San — “Big Gold Mountain.”

White Hills Chinese Diggings:
Walk among the remnants of 1850s diggings where Chinese miners once toiled and try your hand at panning for real gold on this historic site.

Chinese Cemetery – White Hills:
Visit one of Australia’s most significant and best-preserved Chinese burial grounds. Discover its beautifully inscribed headstones, symbolic offerings, and the remarkable 19th-century burning tower still used in traditional ceremonies today.

PepperGreen Farm:
Explore the gardens established on the site of the original Chinese market gardens and view a preserved 1850s brick kiln built by Fok Sing & Co. Relax over morning tea featuring freshly baked scones and locally sourced produce in the café surrounded by working gardens.

Golden Dragon Museum & Chinese Gardens:
Step inside Bendigo’s world-renowned museum dedicated to Chinese heritage. See intricate artefacts, silk regalia, and the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong. Then stroll through the peaceful ornamental gardens that celebrate friendship between cultures.

1:00pm – Return to Visitor Centre.

Practical Information

Duration: 3 hours
Travel: Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and short guided walks
Start & Finish: Bendigo Visitor Centre (51–67 Pall Mall, Bendigo)
Inclusions: Professional local guide, all transport, morning tea at PepperGreen Farm, and entry to the Golden Dragon Museum.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, camera, and a sense of curiosity.

Why Choose This Tour?

Authentic heritage experience – Walk the same ground once worked by Bendigo’s Chinese pioneers.
Meaningful storytelling – Hear stories of courage, endurance, and community that shaped a city.
Rare historic access – Visit one of Australia’s few surviving Chinese cemeteries and gold diggings.
Local hospitality – Enjoy fresh local food and warm service at PepperGreen Farm.
Small-group comfort – Travel in a modern 8-seater vehicle with time to ask questions and connect.

? Book your place today and walk in the footsteps of the Chinese miners who helped shape Bendigo’s remarkable story.

Walk in the footsteps of Bendigo’s Chinese miners, a courageous community that helped shape a city and inspire the world. On this small-group cultural journey, you’ll trace the story of Dai Gum San (“Big Gold Mountain”), where thousands of Chinese diggers endured hardship, prejudice, and triumph during one of the greatest gold rushes in history. Led by a passionate local guide, this immersive tour reveals the hidden history of Bendigo’s Chinese community through rare heritage sites including the 1850s Chinese Diggings and one of Australia’s rare regional Chinese cemeteries.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories of perseverance, community, and fortitude with tales of miners crossing oceans and deserts to seek fortune and freedom, and whose legacy still echoes through Bendigo’s streets today. The journey includes morning tea at PepperGreen Farm, a social enterprise built on the site of the original Chinese market gardens.

Note: Tour does not include access to Chinese Joss House due to it being closed on weekdays.
Free Pick and Up and Drop Off in Bendigo available. What to Expect
Step into the story of Dai Gum San or “Big Gold Mountain”on this immersive 3hour journey through Bendigo’s Chinese heritage. Travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with short, easy walks at each stop, you’ll explore authentic gold-rush sites, sacred resting grounds, and living community landmarks that tell the story of Bendigo’s earliest Chinese pioneers. Expect a relaxed pace, plenty of photo opportunities, and moments to connect with the spirit of resilience that helped shape the city. Highlights
Walk among the Chinese Diggings at White Hills – explore one of Bendigo’s few remaining goldfield sites and try your hand at panning for real gold on the historic diggings.

Visit the historic Chinese Cemetery – step into one of Australia’s most significant Chinese burial grounds, a peaceful landscape of carved headstones and symbolic offerings that honour the lives, hopes, and journeys of those who came seeking fortune and found belonging.

Experience PepperGreen Farm – wander through the vibrant gardens established on the site of the original Chinese market gardens, view the site of a preserved 1850s brick kiln, and enjoy morning tea featuring fresh local produce and home-baked scones.

Explore the Golden Dragon Museum and Chinese Gardens – admire stunning artefacts, photographs, and processional regalia that celebrate Bendigo’s Chinese community including the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong, before enjoying a peaceful stroll through the adjoining ornamental gardens.
Each stop brings Bendigo’s Chinese legacy vividly to life, from the red earth of the diggings to the enduring symbols of culture, craftsmanship, and community that continue to thrive today.
What Guests are Saying
“My wife and I were fortunate to be able to join Jamie from Bendigo Guided Tours on a very informative tour of the Chinese mines and precinct. 27 years in Bendigo and I went to places that I have never been to before. If anyone is wanting a tour, I would recommend Bendigo Guided Tours” - Two Adults One Child (Trip Advisor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Jamie, thank you so so much for today! We honestly didn’t know what to expect but your tour succeeded in anything we could have imagined. It was something we both needed for ourselves. I can’t wait to experience more tours” Rhiannon (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Great day spent learning about Bendigo, it's history and hidden gems. Jaimie showed a great mix of buildings, landmarks and gold mines. His knowledge is in depth and his passion about history makes it even more enjoyabl”. - Elizabeth C (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Itinerary
We meet and conclude at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51-57 Pall Mall (or alternatively, Pick Up and Drop Off is available).
10:00am – Visitor Centre :
Meet your local guide and begin your journey into the story of Dai Gum San — “Big Gold Mountain.”
White Hills Chinese Diggings:
Walk among the remnants of 1850s diggings where Chinese miners once toiled and try your hand at panning for real gold on this historic site.
Chinese Cemetery – White Hills:
Visit one of Australia’s most significant and best-preserved Chinese burial grounds. Discover its beautifully inscribed headstones, symbolic offerings, and the remarkable 19th-century burning tower still used in traditional ceremonies today.
PepperGreen Farm:
Explore the gardens established on the site of the original Chinese market gardens and view a preserved 1850s brick kiln built by Fok Sing & Co. Relax over morning tea featuring freshly baked scones and locally sourced produce in the café surrounded by working gardens.
Golden Dragon Museum & Chinese Gardens:
Step inside Bendigo’s world-renowned museum dedicated to Chinese heritage. See intricate artefacts, silk regalia, and the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong. Then stroll through the peaceful ornamental gardens that celebrate friendship between cultures.
1:00pm – Return to Visitor Centre. Practical Information
Duration: 3 hours
Travel: Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and short guided walks
Start & Finish: Bendigo Visitor Centre (51–67 Pall Mall, Bendigo)
Inclusions: Professional local guide, all transport, morning tea at PepperGreen Farm, and entry to the Golden Dragon Museum.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, camera, and a sense of curiosity. Why Choose This Tour?
Authentic heritage experience – Walk the same ground once worked by Bendigo’s Chinese pioneers.
Meaningful storytelling – Hear stories of courage, endurance, and community that shaped a city.
Rare historic access – Visit one of Australia’s few surviving Chinese cemeteries and gold diggings.
Local hospitality – Enjoy fresh local food and warm service at PepperGreen Farm.
Small-group comfort – Travel in a modern 8-seater vehicle with time to ask questions and connect.
? Book your place today and walk in the footsteps of the Chinese miners who helped shape Bendigo’s remarkable story.

Embrace the joy of spring in Bendigo with a flavour-filled Saturday afternoon walking tour through Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Guests will visit four select venues where seasonal produce, local beverages, and warm hospitality shine, showcasing the creativity and passion that define Bendigo’s thriving foodie scene.

Between courses, your guide will share stories of a city transformed, tracing its journey from gold rush upheaval to a community that has bloomed into a centre of culture, gastronomy, and pride. It’s an indulgent afternoon that blends flavour, history, and local spirit in one unforgettable experience. 

Tours depart Saturdays at 2pm from the steps of The Capital Theatre in View Street. Lasting approximately 2.5 hours, the experience is limited to 12 guests, ensuring a relaxed and engaging adventure.

The Venues ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ms Batterhams - Beetroot and Balsamic Onion Tartlet with Glass of Local Wine

Tucked beneath the historic All Saints School, Ms Batterhams is one of Bendigo’s most elegant and inviting dining spaces. Known for its contemporary Southern European–inspired menu, the chef presents a seasonal creation that captures spring on a plate. The beetroot and balsamic onion tartlet with La Célestine and Candied Walnuts highlights creativity and flavour at their peak. Served with a glass of stunning local wine to complement the dish, this opening taste sets the tone for an indulgent journey through Bendigo’s gastronomy.

Wine Bank on View - Wine Tasting and Chefs Selection of Bruschetta

Housed in the majestic 1870s Union Bank, Wine Bank on View is Bendigo’s premier destination for wine lovers, renowned for its extensive cellar and welcoming hospitality. Guests will enjoy a sample from the venue’s celebrated Bruschetta menu, paired with three of the region’s finest local wines, specially selected by connoisseur Mark Coffey.

Bendigo Brewing - Craft Beer Tasting and Wood-fired Pizza

Situated on Farmers Lane in the historic Chinese precinct, Bendigo Brewing is a boutique brewery celebrated for its small-batch beers and proudly local focus. Using regional ingredients, each brew tells a story of craft and creativity. Guests will sample four beers brewed on-site, paired with a slice of wood-fired pizza crafted in true Italian style with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Dispensary Bar and Diner - Slow Cooked Lamb Rib and Gin Tasting

Hidden away in Bendigo’s stylish Chancery Lane, The Dispensary Bar and Diner exudes charm and character with a cosy, speakeasy vibe. Named in honour of a 19th-century pharmacist who once traded in the lane, the venue is known for its inventive spirit and bold approach to flavour. Guests will enjoy a succulent slow-cooked lamb rib sourced locally, paired with a gin tasting brought to life by Finn, whose wit and sparkle make every visit feel like a celebration.

We offer vegetarian and gluten free options. Let us know your dietary requirements when booking.

What Guests are Saying..

What an amazing experience this was. Great food,great people, great places. Jamie is a natural storyteller and brings his tours alive with anecdotes and amusing stories  - Francine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Great tour, venues, food and drinks! Jamie, our guide, was fantastic! We had lots of fun, as well as learning more about Bendigo - Glenda ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What’s Included:

• Glass of Local Wine

• Beetroot and Balsamic Onion Tartlet at Ms Batterhams

• Wine Tasting x 3

• Bruschetta at Wine Bank on View

• Beer Tasting x 4

• Slice of Wood-fired Pizza

• Slow Cooked Lamb Rib

• Gin Tasting x 3

Spaces are limited to just 12 guests each Saturday, and tours often book quickly. Secure your place today and experience why Bendigo’s gastronomy, history, and local spirit make this spring afternoon one to remember.

Embrace the joy of spring in Bendigo with a flavour-filled Saturday afternoon walking tour through Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Guests will visit four select venues where seasonal produce, local beverages, and warm hospitality shine, showcasing the creativity and passion that define Bendigo’s thriving foodie scene.
Between courses, your guide will share stories of a city transformed, tracing its journey from gold rush upheaval to a community that has bloomed into a centre of culture, gastronomy, and pride. It’s an indulgent afternoon that blends flavour, history, and local spirit in one unforgettable experience.
Tours depart Saturdays at 2pm from the steps of The Capital Theatre in View Street. Lasting approximately 2.5 hours, the experience is limited to 12 guests, ensuring a relaxed and engaging adventure.
The Venues ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ms Batterhams - Beetroot and Balsamic Onion Tartlet with Glass of Local Wine

Tucked beneath the historic All Saints School, Ms Batterhams is one of Bendigo’s most elegant and inviting dining spaces. Known for its contemporary Southern European–inspired menu, the chef presents a seasonal creation that captures spring on a plate. The beetroot and balsamic onion tartlet with La Célestine and Candied Walnuts highlights creativity and flavour at their peak. Served with a glass of stunning local wine to complement the dish, this opening taste sets the tone for an indulgent journey through Bendigo’s gastronomy.
Wine Bank on View - Wine Tasting and Chefs Selection of Bruschetta

Housed in the majestic 1870s Union Bank, Wine Bank on View is Bendigo’s premier destination for wine lovers, renowned for its extensive cellar and welcoming hospitality. Guests will enjoy a sample from the venue’s celebrated Bruschetta menu, paired with three of the region’s finest local wines, specially selected by connoisseur Mark Coffey.
Bendigo Brewing - Craft Beer Tasting and Wood-fired Pizz a
Situated on Farmers Lane in the historic Chinese precinct, Bendigo Brewing is a boutique brewery celebrated for its small-batch beers and proudly local focus. Using regional ingredients, each brew tells a story of craft and creativity. Guests will sample four beers brewed on-site, paired with a slice of wood-fired pizza crafted in true Italian style with the freshest seasonal ingredients.
Dispensary Bar and Diner - Slow Cooked Lamb Rib and Gin Tasting
Hidden away in Bendigo’s stylish Chancery Lane, The Dispensary Bar and Diner exudes charm and character with a cosy, speakeasy vibe. Named in honour of a 19th-century pharmacist who once traded in the lane, the venue is known for its inventive spirit and bold approach to flavour. Guests will enjoy a succulent slow-cooked lamb rib sourced locally, paired with a gin tasting brought to life by Finn, whose wit and sparkle make every visit feel like a celebration.
We offer vegetarian and gluten free options. Let us know your dietary requirements when booking.
What Guests are Saying..
What an amazing experience this was. Great food,great people, great places. Jamie is a natural storyteller and brings his tours alive with anecdotes and amusing stories - Francine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great tour, venues, food and drinks! Jamie, our guide, was fantastic! We had lots of fun, as well as learning more about Bendigo - Glenda ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s Included:

Glass of Local Wine
Beetroot and Balsamic Onion Tartlet at Ms Batterhams
Wine Tasting x 3
Bruschetta at Wine Bank on View
Beer Tasting x 4
Slice of Wood-fired Pizza
Slow Cooked Lamb Rib
Gin Tasting x 3
Spaces are limited to just 12 guests each Saturday, and tours often book quickly. Secure your place today and experience why Bendigo’s gastronomy, history, and local spirit make this spring afternoon one to remember.

Walk in the footsteps of Bendigo’s Chinese miners, a courageous community that helped shape a city and inspire the world. On this small-group cultural journey, you’ll trace the story of Dai Gum San (“Big Gold Mountain”), where thousands of Chinese diggers endured hardship, prejudice, and triumph during one of the greatest gold rushes in history. Led by a passionate local guide, this immersive tour reveals the hidden history of Bendigo’s Chinese community through rare heritage sites including the 1850s Chinese Diggings, the 19th-century Chinese Cemetery, and Bendigo’s historic Joss House Temple, the oldest Chinese temple on its original site in regional Australia.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories of perseverance, community, and faith with tales of miners who crossed oceans and deserts to seek fortune and freedom, and whose legacy continues to shape the character of Bendigo today.

The journey also includes morning tea at Omari Café, nestled within the serene Larni Garingalang Gardens on the banks of Bendigo Creek, where guests can enjoy freshly baked scones and locally roasted coffee or tea amid the tranquillity of native bushland.

Free Pick Up and Drop Off in Bendigo available.

What to Expect

Step into the story of Dai Gum San “Big Gold Mountain” on this immersive 3.5-hour journey through Bendigo’s Chinese heritage. Travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with short, easy walks at each stop, you’ll explore authentic gold-rush sites, sacred resting grounds, and cultural landmarks that tell the story of Bendigo’s earliest Chinese pioneers. Expect a relaxed pace, plenty of photo opportunities, and moments to connect with the spirit of resilience that helped shape the city.

Highlights

• Walk among the Chinese Diggings at White Hills – explore one of Bendigo’s few remaining goldfield sites and try your hand at panning for real gold on the historic diggings.
  

• Visit the historic Chinese Cemetery – step into one of Australia’s most significant Chinese burial grounds, a peaceful landscape of carved headstones and symbolic offerings that honour the lives, hopes, and journeys of those who came seeking fortune and found belonging.
  

• Discover the Chinese Joss House Temple – visit the oldest Chinese temple on its original site in regional Australia, built in 1871 to serve as a sacred place of worship and community. Admire its brilliant red walls, intricate carvings, and ornate altar dedicated to the god of war and protection.
  

• Morning Tea at Omari Café – relax at this hidden gem nestled within the Larni Garingalang Gardens beside Bendigo Creek, where you’ll enjoy freshly baked scones served with jam and cream, accompanied by locally roasted coffee or tea.
  

• Explore the Golden Dragon Museum and Chinese Gardens – admire exquisite artefacts, silk regalia, and processional dragons including the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong then stroll through the adjoining gardens celebrating friendship and cultural harmony.

Each stop brings Bendigo’s Chinese legacy vividly to life — from the red earth of the diggings to the enduring symbols of culture, spirituality, and community that continue to thrive today.

What Guests are Saying

“My wife and I were fortunate to join Jamie from Bendigo Guided Tours on a very informative tour of the Chinese mines and precinct. Twenty-seven years in Bendigo and I went to places I’d never been before. Highly recommend Bendigo Guided Tours.” – Two Adults, One Child (TripAdvisor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Jamie, thank you so much for today! We honestly didn’t know what to expect, but your tour exceeded anything we could have imagined. It was something we both needed for ourselves.” – Rhiannon (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Great day spent learning about Bendigo’s history and hidden gems. Jamie’s passion and knowledge make it a truly memorable experience.” – Elizabeth C (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Itinerary

We meet and conclude at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51–67 Pall Mall
(or alternatively, Pick Up and Drop Off is available).

10:00am – Visitor Centre:
Meet your local guide and begin your journey into the story of Dai Gum San — “Big Gold Mountain.”

White Hills Chinese Diggings:
Walk among the remnants of 1850s diggings where Chinese miners once toiled and try your hand at panning for real gold on this historic site.

Chinese Cemetery – White Hills:
Visit one of Australia’s most significant and best-preserved Chinese burial grounds. Discover its beautifully inscribed headstones, symbolic offerings, and the remarkable 19th-century burning tower still used in traditional ceremonies today.

Chinese Joss House Temple:
Step inside Bendigo’s historic Joss House, built in 1871 to serve as a spiritual refuge for the city’s early Chinese miners. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship, symbolic architecture, and the enduring presence of a living place of worship that continues to connect past and present.

Omari Café – Larni Garingalang Gardens:
Relax with morning tea featuring freshly baked scones and locally roasted coffee or tea, surrounded by tranquil gardens beside Bendigo Creek — a peaceful reflection of the renewal that has followed the gold rush era.

Golden Dragon Museum & Chinese Gardens:
Step inside Bendigo’s world-renowned museum dedicated to Chinese heritage. See intricate artefacts, silk regalia, and the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong. Then stroll through the peaceful ornamental gardens that celebrate friendship between cultures.

1:30pm – Return to Visitor Centre.

Practical Information

Duration: 3.5 hours
Travel: Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and short guided walks
Start & Finish: Bendigo Visitor Centre (51–67 Pall Mall, Bendigo)
Inclusions: Professional local guide, all transport, morning tea at Omari Café, and entry to the Golden Dragon Museum.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, camera, and a sense of curiosity.

Why Choose This Tour?

Authentic heritage experience – Walk the same ground once worked by Bendigo’s Chinese pioneers.
Meaningful storytelling – Hear powerful stories of faith, endurance, and community that shaped a city.
Cultural depth – Visit one of Australia’s oldest surviving Chinese temples and historic goldfield sites.
Local hospitality – Enjoy fresh local food and genuine warmth at Omari Café by the creek.
Small-group comfort – Travel in a modern 8-seater vehicle with time to ask questions and connect.

? Book your place today and experience the living history of Bendigo’s Chinese community — a story of hope, resilience, and belonging.

Walk in the footsteps of Bendigo’s Chinese miners, a courageous community that helped shape a city and inspire the world. On this small-group cultural journey, you’ll trace the story of Dai Gum San (“Big Gold Mountain”), where thousands of Chinese diggers endured hardship, prejudice, and triumph during one of the greatest gold rushes in history. Led by a passionate local guide, this immersive tour reveals the hidden history of Bendigo’s Chinese community through rare heritage sites including the 1850s Chinese Diggings, the 19th-century Chinese Cemetery, and Bendigo’s historic Joss House Temple, the oldest Chinese temple on its original site in regional Australia.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories of perseverance, community, and faith with tales of miners who crossed oceans and deserts to seek fortune and freedom, and whose legacy continues to shape the character of Bendigo today.

The journey also includes morning tea at Omari Café, nestled within the serene Larni Garingalang Gardens on the banks of Bendigo Creek, where guests can enjoy freshly baked scones and locally roasted coffee or tea amid the tranquillity of native bushland.
Free Pick Up and Drop Off in Bendigo available. What to Expect
Step into the story of Dai Gum San “Big Gold Mountain” on this immersive 3.5-hour journey through Bendigo’s Chinese heritage. Travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with short, easy walks at each stop, you’ll explore authentic gold-rush sites, sacred resting grounds, and cultural landmarks that tell the story of Bendigo’s earliest Chinese pioneers. Expect a relaxed pace, plenty of photo opportunities, and moments to connect with the spirit of resilience that helped shape the city. Highlights
Walk among the Chinese Diggings at White Hills – explore one of Bendigo’s few remaining goldfield sites and try your hand at panning for real gold on the historic diggings.

Visit the historic Chinese Cemetery – step into one of Australia’s most significant Chinese burial grounds, a peaceful landscape of carved headstones and symbolic offerings that honour the lives, hopes, and journeys of those who came seeking fortune and found belonging.

Discover the Chinese Joss House Temple – visit the oldest Chinese temple on its original site in regional Australia, built in 1871 to serve as a sacred place of worship and community. Admire its brilliant red walls, intricate carvings, and ornate altar dedicated to the god of war and protection.

Morning Tea at Omari Café – relax at this hidden gem nestled within the Larni Garingalang Gardens beside Bendigo Creek, where you’ll enjoy freshly baked scones served with jam and cream, accompanied by locally roasted coffee or tea.

Explore the Golden Dragon Museum and Chinese Gardens – admire exquisite artefacts, silk regalia, and processional dragons including the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong then stroll through the adjoining gardens celebrating friendship and cultural harmony.
Each stop brings Bendigo’s Chinese legacy vividly to life — from the red earth of the diggings to the enduring symbols of culture, spirituality, and community that continue to thrive today. What Guests are Saying


“My wife and I were fortunate to join Jamie from Bendigo Guided Tours on a very informative tour of the Chinese mines and precinct. Twenty-seven years in Bendigo and I went to places I’d never been before. Highly recommend Bendigo Guided Tours.” – Two Adults, One Child (TripAdvisor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Jamie, thank you so much for today! We honestly didn’t know what to expect, but your tour exceeded anything we could have imagined. It was something we both needed for ourselves.” – Rhiannon (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Great day spent learning about Bendigo’s history and hidden gems. Jamie’s passion and knowledge make it a truly memorable experience.” – Elizabeth C (Google) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Itinerary We meet and conclude at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, 51–67 Pall Mall
(or alternatively, Pick Up and Drop Off is available).



10:00am – Visitor Centre:
Meet your local guide and begin your journey into the story of Dai Gum San — “Big Gold Mountain.”
White Hills Chinese Diggings:
Walk among the remnants of 1850s diggings where Chinese miners once toiled and try your hand at panning for real gold on this historic site.
Chinese Cemetery – White Hills:
Visit one of Australia’s most significant and best-preserved Chinese burial grounds. Discover its beautifully inscribed headstones, symbolic offerings, and the remarkable 19th-century burning tower still used in traditional ceremonies today.
Chinese Joss House Temple:
Step inside Bendigo’s historic Joss House, built in 1871 to serve as a spiritual refuge for the city’s early Chinese miners. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship, symbolic architecture, and the enduring presence of a living place of worship that continues to connect past and present.
Omari Café – Larni Garingalang Gardens:
Relax with morning tea featuring freshly baked scones and locally roasted coffee or tea, surrounded by tranquil gardens beside Bendigo Creek — a peaceful reflection of the renewal that has followed the gold rush era.
Golden Dragon Museum & Chinese Gardens:
Step inside Bendigo’s world-renowned museum dedicated to Chinese heritage. See intricate artefacts, silk regalia, and the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, Dai Gum Loong. Then stroll through the peaceful ornamental gardens that celebrate friendship between cultures.
1:30pm – Return to Visitor Centre.

Practical Information
Duration: 3.5 hours
Travel: Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and short guided walks
Start & Finish: Bendigo Visitor Centre (51–67 Pall Mall, Bendigo)
Inclusions: Professional local guide, all transport, morning tea at Omari Café, and entry to the Golden Dragon Museum.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, camera, and a sense of curiosity.

Why Choose This Tour?
Authentic heritage experience – Walk the same ground once worked by Bendigo’s Chinese pioneers.
Meaningful storytelling – Hear powerful stories of faith, endurance, and community that shaped a city.
Cultural depth – Visit one of Australia’s oldest surviving Chinese temples and historic goldfield sites.
Local hospitality – Enjoy fresh local food and genuine warmth at Omari Café by the creek.
Small-group comfort – Travel in a modern 8-seater vehicle with time to ask questions and connect.


? Book your place today and experience the living history of Bendigo’s Chinese community — a story of hope, resilience, and belonging.