Relevant facts.

Greater Bendigo is a regional city located in central Victoria (Australia), approximately 150 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and covering almost 3000 square kilometres. The traditional owners of the land are the Dja Dja Wurrung (DJAARA) and the Taungurung peoples. The region is surrounded by 40,000 hectares of regional, state and national parkland. Located north of the Great Dividing Range in the exact geographic centre of Victoria.

What makes the Creative Field of Gastronomy special?

Bendigo is celebrated for its rich and diverse culture. Our gastronomy story is about growing, sourcing, cooking and sharing food. It’s about how our culture and heritage is represented and shared through what we eat and drink, the places we share meals and the memories we make around food, family and community.

We are committed to four key pillars of gastronomy, they are.

1. Celebrate and elevate First Nations’ culture, creativity and knowledge.
2. Recognise our creativity, cultural diversity and innovation.
3. Improve health and wellbeing particularly through healthy eating
4. Prioritise environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture and food production as we tackle climate change.

How the designation is being managed?

Bendigo Creative City and Region is governed by the City of Greater Bendigo (local government). The designation covers the map of the Dja Dja Wurrung People and the Taungurung people, that covers 9 local government areas including City of Greater Bendigo, Central Goldfields Shire, Macedon Ranges, Hepburn Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, Campaspe Shire, Loddon Shire, Gannawarra Shire and Buloke Shire. The focal point sits within the Economic Development department.

Gastronomy traditions.

Australia is fortunate to be home to the oldest living culture. It is believed that First Nations’ communities have lived here for more than 65,000 years. Bush tucker as it is fondly known is a range of edible plants that are native to Australia. There are an estimated 6000 edible plants across the Australian continent. Native to our region includes kangaroo grass, pepperberry, saltbush and wattle seeds.

Kangaroo grass is a wheat alternative and was traditionally ground into flour to make bread, locally known as damper.

Iconic local products.

Dja Dja Wurrung the local First Nations People are currently working on a kangaroo grass project. Kangaroo grass is an indigenous grass that can be used as a wheat alternative. Kangaroo grass is being used to heal the country and to create a First Nations led agricultural industry.

Dja Dja Wurrung are also building the largest yabby farm in the southern hemisphere, due to open at the end of 2024. Yabby are incredibly important to the health of our waterways.

Heathcote, located in our region, creates world class Shiraz. There are more than 70 wineries across the region. The unique terroir, the strong red soil, the climate, sun and rainfall make it the perfect location for growing grapes.

Central Victoria and the region of gastronomy has been cultivating olives for more than 100 years. Bendigo and the region represents the olive oil industry and both ends of the spectrum, home to Australia’s largest olive oil producer Cobram estate and also attracting a boutique market that sees Bendigo home to one of Victoria’s only olive oil sommeliers.

Harcourt is synonymous with apple growing. 40% of Victoria’s apples are grown in Harcourt. The flavour and crispness of harcourt apples is believed to be due to the valleys sandy granite soils, it’s access to irrigation and their cool climate. The first orchards were planted in 1857 and there are approximately twenty orchards active in Harcourt today.

Local stakeholders.

Bendigo creative city and region of gastronomy have an advisory committee that assists in making high level suggestions. The committee includes local farmers, winemakers, hospitality business owners, First Nations’ representative, University representatives and community members. The group meet bi monthly.

Gastronomy main events.

Bendigo and the region hosts a range of gastronomy events annually. The annual Sheep and Wool show is the largest event of its type in the world. The event attracts 30,000 people and up to 3000 sheep from across Australia compete in the ring.

The Lost Trades fair is an annual event attracting 20,000 people to the region. It celebrates artisans across the rare trades. In 2024 they introduced a gastronomy section highlighting chefs and artisans from across our region.

Applefest is an annual celebration of harvest in Harcourt, Victoria’s largest producer of apples. The community event includes cooking competitions, apple pie eating contests, cooking demonstrations and is a place for friends, family, neighbours and farmers to come together.

Budburst Wine Festival is a celebration of wine in the Macedon Ranges. It is a boutique festival that provides visitors to venture behind the vines, meet family owned and small batch makers accompanied by curated food menus championing local produce.

Bendigo Winemakers Festival is a celebration of our regions exceptional wines and the people that make them. There are more than 100 wines across red, white, rose and sparkling varieties. The event takes place in the centre of Bendigo amongst the beautiful Rosalind Park.