Located mid way between Ballarat and Ararat, historic Beaufort is situated in a rich pastoral district.
Gold was first discovered around Beaufort in 1852 which saw the town s population rise dramatically, however it was short lived with most of the alluvial gold gone around 10 years later. A number of historical buildings in Beaufort today date back to the gold rush days including the post office, several churches and the railway station.
At the western end of Beaufort s commercial centre along Neill Street is an octagonal band rotunda which was built in 1908. On the other side of Neill Street at Livingstone Street is an attractive triangular shaped park with a war memorial surrounded by a rose garden. Off King Street, to the north of town, is the Camp Hill Reserve. It features picnic areas, a BBQ shelter and a lookout which offers scenic views across the countryside and towards town. Beaufort Lake, accessed via Lake Road to the south of town, is surrounded by parkland, recreational facilities.
Bendigo is Victoria s fourth largest city, located around 150 kilometres north west of Melbourne. Bendigo has a rich and prosperous heritage dating back to the days when gold was discovered in the area in the 1850s. Since then, Bendigo has been the second highest producing goldfield in Australia and remains the seventh largest in the world. Bendigo s rich gold history has produced a city of unparalleled opulence and grandeur. Stunning architecture and manicured gardens are all symbolic of Bendigo.
One of Bendigo s most elegant streets is Pall Mall in the city centre. At its southern end stands the grand Alexandra Fountain which was built in 1881 out of granite. Further along Pall Mall is the elaborate old post office (built between 1883 and 1887) which now houses the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre, and next door are the law courts (built between 1892 and 1896), also of similar architecture. On the corner of Pall Mall and Williamson Street is Bendigo s most famous hotel, the lavishly adorned Shamrock, which was built in 1897. Bendigo s shopping precinct extends along Pall Mall, Hargreaves Street (including the Hargreaves Mall), Queen Street, Williamson Street and tree lined Mitchell Street.
Attractions for visitors include the Central Deborah Mine complex which offers underground mine tours and the Talking Tram which takes passengers on an almost 5 kilometre journey passing many of the city s attractions. Rosalind Park, in the city s centre, features a lookout tower offering impressive views across Bendigo, while Bendigo s Sacred Heart Cathedral, built in 1896, is the largest Gothic cathedral in the southern hemisphere. Other attractions include several art galleries and the Golden Dragon Museum which is a tribute to the city s long history with Chinese people and culture. Bendigo city is situated in a fertile valley, surrounded by a number of hilly suburbs featuring wide tree lined streets, bushland, and a several large reserves, creating a pleasant and green environment for residents and visitors. In fact, with natural bushland entirely surrounding Bendigo, it has been referred to as a city within a forest .
Author Resource:-
Charlotte Giles is a travel writer for last minute accommodation site - LastBeds. Charlotte is currently backpacking around Australia, she loves staying in cheap hotel accommodation in Melbourne.
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