See what it feels like to enter a deep-shaft mine in Bendigo Australia

Bendigo, in the southern Australian State of Victoria is often cited as one of the best examples of a 19th century Gold Rush city in all of Australia. It doesn't take long to get there from Melbourne. Just take the Calder Freeway inland and within 2 hours, you will be there. If you don't have a car, you can take a luxury bus or the train. However you choose to get there, upon arrival you will live in grand style. Bendigo was built on the fabulous wealth created at the height of the Gold Rush and you can see evidence of that wealth everywhere in town.

The first thing you will notice when you arrive in Bendigo is the architecture. The town is home to some of the best examples of nineteenth century buildings found in Australia today. Bendigo was created for grandeur from the ground up, starting with its broad, tree lined boulevards, where many stately public and private Federation era structures designed by leading architects were built at the height of the Gold Rush.

The Gold Rush era in Bendigo began in 1851 and in many ways hasn't really ended yet. Gold mining came to a temporary halt in 1954, but has resumed since then. Today, thanks in part to more advanced technology, gold is mined from quartz reefs that are spread out widely outside of the city.

Word of the discovery of gold in Bendigo quickly spread around the word. Hence, Bendigo was settled by a mixture of European migrants, principally from Germany, Ireland and Cornwall. Thousands of Chinese miners came to Bendigo as well and have not been forgotten since. Some of Bendigo's major attractions are the wonderful Josh House, the Golden Dragon Museum and the beautiful Chinese Gardens.

Even if you don't know the difference between a Federation style building and a Chinese pagoda, you can't help but appreciate the grand scale and exquisite detailing in Bendigo architecture. You don't want to remain fixated on the grand mansions of Bendigo, though. A great way to see everything is by cycling through the city and into the outlying regions, where you will see peaceful Whipstick Forest. Don't leave the wine growing areas nearby off your list of places to see in and around Bendigo, either.

And don't forget to go gold mining while you're in Bendigo. Well, it may not be actually mining, but you will get the gold miner's experience by taking deep-shaft mine at Central Deborah, where you will explore the depths in an authentic miner's cage. If you prefer to do your gold mining above ground, you can do it near historic Malden. You may not strike it rich, but you'll have an excellent day out.

If you wish to have a taste of the high life of the Gold Rush era, that is easily done in a Bendigo accommodation. A lot of the grand mansions of the era have been transformed into guesthouses and B&Bs. Your palatial temporary residence will be within walking distance of the city center, where you can explore the wonderful art galleries, museums, gift and crafts shops and other attractions in the heart of the city. If you're staying in Melbourne, everyone will tell you that you must visit Bendigo. Listen to them. They're right.

Take a few days off, find Bendigo accommodation, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.