Bendigo Joss House Temple

31/08/2026

We like this idea a lot!

Bendigo Tramways is calling for trams to be brought back to Mitchell Street and View Street.

They ran on those streets until 1972. We think it's time this city got back on track.

Our proposal: a short, frequent tram spine linking the Bendigo Station, the retail core, the Art Gallery and the QEO — shown on the map — running every ten minutes on battery trams with no overhead wires, and free to hop on. Buses are then freed up to do what they do best, getting people in from the suburbs.

The Department of Transport and Planning is reviewing Bendigo's bus network right now, and Bendigo Heritage has put in a submission arguing that buses and trams should be planned together, not treated as separate problems.

We're not asking anyone to lay track overnight. We're asking the Review to commission a proper feasibility study, while the Bendigo Station Masterplan is still on the drawing board and a tram spine can be designed in from the outset.

Back in the 1850s, a surveyor named Richard Larritt drew up a plan for Bendigo before most of the city existed. Wide streets, big lots, room to grow. He never saw the buildings that would fill them, but he planned for them anyway. Those wide streets are still here, still waiting.

What do you reckon? Should we be planning Bendigo's streets for the next hundred years, the way Larritt did?

Read our full submission here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/more-than-timetable-plan-next-hundred-years-james-reade-ai6zc/

28/08/2026

This weekend will have the perfect weather for a quieter kind of adventure. ☀️
Step inside Bendigo Joss House Temple, standing since 1871 as one of the few remaining temples of its kind in Australia, and take a peaceful moment to reflect on the stories of the Chinese diggers who shaped our goldfields.

Open 10:30am-3:00pm, entry by donation

12/08/2026

Vale Russell Jack AM
It is with great sadness that Bendigo Heritage acknowledges the passing of Russell Jack AM, aged 91, a true giant of our region’s history and community.
As founder of the Golden Dragon Museum and a tireless champion of the Bendigo Chinese community for over eight decades, Russell dedicated his life to preserving the stories, culture and heritage that make Bendigo the place it is today. His vision helped transform the Bendigo Easter Parade into the iconic celebration it has become, drawing visitors from across the country and cementing our region’s place on the tourism map.
Russell’s contribution to regional tourism and cultural preservation cannot be overstated. He understood, long before it was fashionable, that heritage and history are not just something to protect but something to share, celebrate and build a future around. That vision continues to shape how Bendigo tells its story.
On behalf of the Bendigo Heritage team, we extend our deepest condolences to Russell’s family, including his daughter Anita, and to the Bendigo Chinese Association and the wider community who were fortunate to call him a friend, mentor and leader.

07/08/2026

Step into one of Bendigo's most remarkable hidden gems 🏮

The Bendigo Joss House Temple offers a rare glimpse into the city's rich Chinese heritage, where intricate architecture, vibrant colours, and the scent of incense tell stories that have endured for generations.

Open Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am to 3.00pm. 🌙

10/07/2026

The Bendigo Joss House Temple will be open this weekend and would love to welcome you.✨

We're open between 10:30am to 3:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. 🌙

04/06/2026

After being abandoned in the 1930’s the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) obtained permission from the Australian Commonwealth Government in 1965 to occupy the Bendigo Joss House Temple. After extensive restoration works this historically significant place of worship was re-opened to the public in 1972. ✨

Today’s images give a then versus now view of the temple. They show a clear contrast between the temple being in an overgrown and dilapidated state back in November 1967 compared to the present day where the temple is in a restored and well-maintained state.

28/05/2026

Step inside the Bendigo Joss House Temple and discover the incredible detail woven throughout this unique cultural site. 🌙

From intricate carvings to the scent of incense and centuries old traditions, there’s something to notice around every corner. 🐉

Open Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am to 3.00pm.

21/04/2026

Bendigo Heritage will be pausing to mark ANZAC Day, with Central Deborah Gold Mine, Bendigo Tramways and the Bendigo Joss House Temple closed for the day.

The Bendigo Military Museum will be open from 6am-10am following the Dawn Service, welcoming visitors to reflect and learn more about Australia’s military history. 🎖️

If you require assistance, please contact us on (03) 4444 2810. We appreciate your understanding.

10/04/2026

The Bendigo Joss House Temple will be open and welcoming visitors this weekend. ✨

We will be open from 10:30am to 3:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. 🌙