Apparently this is the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Australia. Then again it was built…read moreduring the gold rush by the numerous Chinese that came to Australia to mind gold for the emperor (though most of them basically ended up staying, which is why there are some distinct Chinese communities here in Australia). Yeah, it was rather nice, though not surprisingly it was also quite small. The idea was to represent the major deities in the Chinese mythology, though there is one that is of particular importance, namely because it is the deities that travellers tended to pay homage too, which shouldn't surprise one when we consider that this is a temple in a foreign land.

We had the pleasure of staying in Bendigo for a lazy Saturday getaway from Melbourne. We had…read moretickets for the talking tram as part of our pass from the Deborah Gold Mine. The tram was surprisingly comfortable compared to the Metro trams in Melbourne. We even managed to secure a ride on the Schaller Tram, which was decked out like you wouldn't believe - comfy sofa, original artwork, paint brushes, pots and spatter everywhere. We loved it!

This is probably one of the central attractions in Bendigo, namely because it is one of the many…read moregoldmines. However, unlike the other ones, this mine has been restored so that it is now like a museum. Well, it is a little more than a museum since you can actually descend into the mines and have a looking around, though I probably should point out that you can't quite do it on your own with public liability issues and all that. Actually, the tunnels in the mine stretch for absolute miles, and the lower reaches are also flooded so they also have to be regularly pumped out. Anyway, it is a pretty interesting mine, and the trek down into the depths is certainly something worth doing, though the deeper dives not only take longer, but also require a lot of climbing as well.

This is a really fun, touristy thing to do while in Bendigo. The gold mine is full of really…read moreinteresting facts and all sorts of antiquities. I will say that the exhibits are a bit run down and shabby in areas, but it is well worth the minor fee. Nathan was our gold mine tour leader and he was excellent. He was so knowledgeable, engaging, and friendly. We also took the tram and it was great. It gives you a view of the city that you wouldn't otherwise get and is narrated as you pass various sites.