The Central Victorian Goldfields region is located north-west of Melbourne, with the key regional cities of Ballarat and Bendigo bookending the region approximately 1.5 hours (116km) and 2 hours (153 kms) from Melbourne respectively.
Bordered by the LGAs of Ararat Rural City; Northern Grampians Shire, Pyrenees Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Moorabool Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe Shire and Loddon Shire.
These LGAs, along with the City of Ballarat, Central Goldfields Shire and Hepburn Shire, form the Central Victorian Goldfields region.
The region includes the following Regional Tourism Boards and organisations:
- Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges (Hepburn, Moorabool, and Macedon LGAs);
- Grampians (Ararat, and Northern Grampians LGAs);
- Goldfields (Ballarat, Bendigo, Central Goldfields, Hepburn and Pyrenees LGAs); and
- Murray (Campaspe and Gannawarra LGAs).
Getting here and around
Travelling by car
The Goldfields region is within easy reach of Melbourne. The Western Freeway leads past the townships of Bacchus Marsh and Ballan to Ballarat. Follow the Calder Highway past Kyneton to Castlemaine, then further north to Bendigo. You can also get to Bendigo from Melbourne by driving north on the Hume Freeway via Kilmore, then veering onto the Northern Highway via Heathcote and then onto the McIvor Highway.
If you are travelling from interstate why not explore the region and its neighbours? Consider following the Sydney Melbourne Heritage Drive from Canberra to Bendigo, or the Great Southern Touring Route to Ballarat via the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians.
Public transport options
V/Line offers train services from Southern Cross Station direct to Bendigo, Castlemaine, Ballarat and Maryborough. Travel time from Melbourne to Bendigo is approximately 2 hours, and 1.5 hours from Melbourne to Ballarat. Connecting coach services operate from Bendigo and Ballarat to other towns within the Goldfields.
Travelling by plane
Those further afield can choose to travel between Bendigo and Sydney via Qantas. Flights are available every day of the week, with an approximate travel time of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Connecting flights are available for those wishing to travel beyond Sydney.
Airport shuttle services
Shuttle services operate between Melbourne Airport and both Ballarat and Bendigo. For timetables and fares, visit airportshuttlebus.com.au (Ballarat) and bendigoairportservice.com.au (Bendigo).
