Discovery Centre Bendigo 7 Railway Place, Bendigo (03) 5444 4400

With over 100 interactive exhibits to explore, you won't know what to try first at Discovery. Be sure to look out for the whacky mirrors that make you look really strange, or the echoing chamber that repeats your words a thousand times over, and don't forget to play a tune on the thong-a-phone!

Some popular Discovery favourites also include:

• Bendigo Planetarium: Sit back and relax, on a bean bag, and become immersed in the world above as they take you on a guided journey through the cosmos, venturing to places you've never been before. Planetarium shows can be seen daily at 1:30 pm on weekdays and 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on weekends and public holidays.
• Vertical Slide: Have you ever experienced zero gravity? Discovery is famous for the southern hemisphere's tallest Vertical Slide. With a sheer drop of seven metres, you will fall at a speed of 30-40km per hour! NB: All sliders must be at least five years of age. You can plummet down the Vertical Slide at 11 am 1 pm and 3 pm daily.
• Kaleidoscope: Think you're too young for science? Think again. For the young scientist under eight, learn the basic principles of maths and science through the colourful and fun exhibits in Kaleidoscope.
• Curious Kids: Are you aged 3-5 and looking for a science adventure sprinkled with fun? Then come along to Curious Kids. A Curious Kids session consists of 'story time' followed by an activity in The Lab. Curious Kids is held on the first and third Monday of each month during school terms at 11:00 am.
• The Discovery Shop: If you are looking for an unusual gift, then the Discovery Shop is the place to go. The Discovery Shop specialises in stocking fascinating educational items that are sure to keep kids busy for hours. 

Vintage Talking Tram 1 Tramways Avenue, Bendigo (03) 5442 2821

Share a little of 'the olden days' with your children on a special Vintage Tram Tour.

Bendigo Tramways has been in operation since June 1890. Initially operating as public transport until 1972, Bendigo Tramways now operates as a tourist service. There is no better way to see the sights of Bendigo than aboard a beautifully refurbished Vintage Talking Tram. A Vintage Talking Tram Tour is the quickest way to get your bearings and see the city's key landmarks and monuments.

Take your time to discover the city by hopping on and off the tram to explore the many parks, attractions, shopping and dining facilities that are within walking distance of each tram stop. The friendly tram drivers and conductors are always happy to chat and give you some "insider" tips on what to do during your Bendigo break.

Each tour includes a stop at Australia’s oldest operating tram depot ... home to the heritage tram fleet. We highly recommend staying a bit longer to enjoy the free self-guided tour and to meet Birney, Bendigo Tramway's famous cat!

Your tram ticket includes the Anzac Centenary Tram (Tues, Thurs, Sat) and/or the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) which run at 10:00 am on their allocated days.

Book your tickets online.

Bendigo Botanic Gardens Playspace 16 Scott Street White Hills, Bendigo 03 5434 6000 

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this award-winning playspace features garden rooms enclosed by hedges that provide creative and imaginative play opportunities. In the Secret Garden, children will discover treasures such as the hidden mirror and special child-size mushroom table and chairs.

On the roly-poly lawn, kids can play croquet or enjoy rolling around on the grassy slopes. They can also climb to the top of the fort and look over the gardens and pretend to be the king or queen in the oversize throne chair.

There are BBQs, picnic tables and a drinking fountain. You can park on Scott Street for easy access.

Splash Park Fun!

The Long Gully/Eaglehawk Splash Park 14-38 Creeth St, Long Gully, Bendigo 03 5434 6000

A free, zero depth water splash park with a dry play area. It is a family-friendly park with shaded seating, BBQs and extra all season play areas.

• The ‘gold rush’ themed park is a solar heated park with treated water checked by Belgravia staff daily.
• The touchpads on the crossing signals at each end of the splash pad activate the equipment which runs in 16 different cycles. Once activated the park runs for 4 minutes before you need to touch the crossing signs again to continue playing in the splash park.

Swimming season

The splash park is to open early October to the last Sunday in March, subject to forecasted conditions. 

Facilities

• Shaded seating area
• Picnic tables and BBQs
• Toilets and change rooms
• Visitor-activated fountains
• Dredge Bucket
• Dry playground
• Basketball ring
• Irrigated grass area

Opening hours

September - November: 10am-6pm

December - March: 9am-8pm

Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre 9 Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo (03) 4431 1400

Bendigo's newest and premier aquatic and fitness centre with a large gym, 3 group fitness studios, warm water pool, indoor 50m pool, aquatic adventure play and splash park, learn to swim and cafe facilities. There's even occasional childminding available if you fancy a solo swim or gym workout.

Open daily.

Weekdays 6 am - 9 pm

Weekends 6 am- 7 pm

Awesome Playgrounds

Lake Weeroona Adventure Playspace 300 A300 Bendigo (next to Lake Weeroona) 03 5434 6000

The children's adventure play space offers swings and a large timber fort for climbing, exploring, crawling on and looking through. It is fully fenced and includes seating for parents and guardians.

The play space is on the banks of Lake Weeroona and has a bike or walking track around its perimeter.

Lake Weeroona is known for its beautiful lakeside walks and magnificent treed landscape. There's a great family-friendly cafe on the boardwalk too.

Eaglehawk Playspace Napier Street, Eaglehawk, Bendigo

Located on the shores of Lake Neangar, this contemporary playspace is also near to the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre, Canterbury Park Oval and Sports Precinct, Canterbury Park Gardens, the McKern Skate Park and the Mulga Bill bike trail.

Shaped like a giant eagle hawk, the new play space caters to children of all ages. The play space is multi-zoned with both passive and active areas for children with various skill and abilities. It features custom designed play equipment inspired by the famous Banjo Patterson poem Mulga Bill’s Bicycle which starts with the line “Twas Mulga Bill from Eaglehawk” and a butterfly themed junior play area called Where Angels Play to celebrate the life of baby Zayden Veal Whitting. 

The play space includes equipment for swinging, spinning and sliding with adventure and movement play, a series of pathways, extensive tree planting, landscaping and picnic and barbecue facilities for the whole family to enjoy.