Carman’s Tunnel, a 570m-long mine tunnel excavated in the 1880s, took two years to dig yet produced only $300 worth of gold. For a hands-on experience, descend with a guide for a 30- to 40-minute candlelit tour. The tunnel's off Parkin's Reef Rd.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.28 MILES
Looming from its commanding hilltop location, the Old Castlemaine Gaol is the town's most notable historical landmark; dating from 1861, it closed its…
Golden Dragon Museum & Gardens
21.82 MILES
Bendigo’s Chinese heritage sets it apart from other goldfields towns, and this fantastic museum is the place to experience it. Walk through a huge wooden…
9.58 MILES
Housed in a superb art deco building, this gallery (established in 1913) features colonial and contemporary Australian art, including works by such well…
21.47 MILES
One of Victoria’s finest regional galleries (founded in 1887), Bendigo Art Gallery has a permanent collection that includes outstanding colonial and…
12.47 MILES
Here's one for cider purists: the owners of this family-run orchard are on a mission to introduce Australians to real dry ciders. They grow 43 varieties…
20.88 MILES
For an interesting city tour, hop aboard a restored ‘talking’ tram. The hop-on, hop-off trip runs from the Central Deborah Gold Mine to the Tramways Depot…
25.54 MILES
Australia’s oldest pottery works, Bendigo Pottery was founded in 1857 and is classified by the National Trust. The historic kilns are still used; watch…
9.31 MILES
Originally the Castlemaine Woollen Mills (1875), this red-brick industrial complex has been developed into one of the town's coolest precincts. It's worth…
Nearby Victoria attractions
1.11 MILES
Take the 3km drive up to Mt Tarrengower for glorious panoramic views from the newly restored 1880s poppet-head lookout.
1.3 MILES
Inside a beautiful 1863 red-brick Gothic-revival church, this lovely gallery has a changing program of contemporary paintings, ceramics and sculpture.
1.34 MILES
Situated behind the visitor centre, the old marketplace (c 1859) is now the Maldon & District Museum, with historical photos, local artefacts and a…
1.39 MILES
Currently a private residence, the post office (built 1870) was the childhood home of local author Henry Handel Richardson. She (yes, she; it was easier…
9.28 MILES
Three winemaker mates have come together here to produce their wines on-site using locally grown grapes. The winery's within the Mill complex, and offers…
6. Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
9.28 MILES
These majestic gardens, among the oldest in Victoria (established 1860), strike a perfect balance between sculpture and wild bush, with lovely National…
9.28 MILES
Looming from its commanding hilltop location, the Old Castlemaine Gaol is the town's most notable historical landmark; dating from 1861, it closed its…
9.31 MILES
Originally the Castlemaine Woollen Mills (1875), this red-brick industrial complex has been developed into one of the town's coolest precincts. It's worth…