Every Instagram-perfect Airbnb in Bendigo for a stylish escape

Place yourself in proximity to memorable Central Victoria adventures with our map to every outstanding Airbnb in Bendigo.

On a mission to sniff out every dream accommodation, including the best Airbnbs, in Central Victoria? Savvy travellers should be, at least once in their lifetime. Upon research, you’ll find an impressive concentration in little old Bendigo, located 90 minutes from the hipster haven of Melbourne. From one-of-a-kind tiny homes to character-filled cottages oozing with heritage charm, we’ve found an Airbnb in Bendigo for every holiday style.

1. Goldmines Guesthouse

the Goldmines Guesthouse Airbnb with two beds in Bendigo — Sleep in a cosy bedroom near the CBD at Goldmines Guesthouse.

Best for: A family getaway.

Tucked away on a quiet street just outside of Central Bendigo, Goldmines Guesthouse is a modern one-bedroom retreat treated to ample sleeping space. With a fully equipped kitchen (including a coffee maker), HDTV with Chromecast, and a laundry with a dryer, the serene sanctuary sleeps up to six people. Cosy up for a night in on the six-seater couch watching Netflix over takeaway or head out for a pub meal at the longstanding Gold Mines Hotel, just a walk away and home to one of Bendigo’s oldest gardens.

2. Bendigo Lakeside

the exterior of Bendigo Lakeside accommodation with a bonfire setup — Bendigo Lakeside comes with a spacious garden and a bonfire setting.

Best for: Large groups.

Looking for something to fit you all? Bendigo Lakeside is a contemporary, split-level winner that can accommodate up to 12 guests (plus pets if your clan includes four-legged members). A short drive from the city, the Airbnb in Bendigo is close to a golf course and lakeside walking tracks, so soaking up that delightful country air is a cinch. When night falls, kick back on the deck with a beverage or cook up a feast in the well-equipped kitchen (there’s a dishwasher, thank goodness) before you settle into a family feast. Once the formalities are over, a backyard fire pit will prove all too welcoming, ensuring quality face time with your loved ones that’ll wind into the wee hours.

3. Renovated Cottage

the entryway at Renovated Cottage, Bendigo — The modern interior adds to the sophisticated, country-chic vibes.

Best for: A couple’s escape.

Find your two favourite couples and start splitting up the grocery grabs. This renovated cottage in Bendigo dials up country chic vibes with its white picket fence and ornate patio, making it an instantly impressive escape. Sleeping up to six people across three bedrooms, the Airbnb in Bendigo is within walking distance to soothing Lake Weeroona, pubs and eateries — not that you’ll need to leave given the gourmet kitchen is filled with all your necessary appliances and pantry staples. Additionally, there’s off-street parking and an outdoor area where a fire pit can be brought in upon request. Who’s saying no to that?

4. Grandview Apartment

Grandview apartment in Bendigo — The apartment is swathed in sumptuous red velvet.

Best for: Romance.

Grand by name, grand by nature. Grandview Apartment is an Airbnb in Bendigo with theatrical flourishes to help bring a sense of occasion to your next visit. With a red velvet lounge, clawfoot bath and reading room filled with books, this oh-so-romantic apartment is ideal for couples who appreciate the finer things in life. Use the kitchen to prepare a decadent dinner to enjoy around the dining table, savour a glass of local red on the wrought iron balcony or head out to explore the UNESCO Heritage-listed gastronomic scene – some of Bendigo’s best restaurants are just a short stroll away.

5. Hargreaves Cottage

the exterior of Hargreaves Cottage, Bendigo — Hargreaves Cottage welcomes guests with its charming facade.

Best for: Culture vultures.

Just a short walk to central Bendigo’s best galleries, Hargreaves Cottage evokes the quintessential period charm visitors flock to Bendigo to experience. Behind the white picket fence you’ll find two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, kitchen, renovated bathroom and a grassy backyard. Staying with the kids? A highchair and collection of children’s books and toys should do the trick. In the morning, wander across the road to Percy and Percy for your preferred AM elixir with a serve of Dr Marty’s Crumpets – a revered crumpet-maker based in Castlemaine.

6. Ravenswood Tiny House

scenic views from the Ravenswood Tiny House, Bendigo — The architecturally designed Ravenswood Tiny House opens up to scenic views.

Best for: Architecture fans.

Craving fresh air and wide-open spaces but don’t want to stray too far from the city? Drive south from Bendigo for 20 minutes and you’ll hit the rural idyll of Ravenswood, home to a sleek tiny house stay complete with special guest appearances from 14 resident alpacas. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to stay entertained for a weekend, including a collection of boardgames and a flat screen TV with streaming services. Want a bottle of wine to enjoy on the deck while taking in sweeping views of the valley? Visit the cellar door of Killiecrankie Wines nearby to source a drop of local red.

7. Grandview on Mitchell Bendigo Penthouse

the rooftop views from Grandview on Mitchell Bendigo Penthouse — Unwind on the rooftop deck with a local beer.

Best for: That rooftop life.

Be wowed by phenomenal city skyline views while staying in this chic heritage warehouse conversion. Located in the heart of the city, the Grandview on Mitchell Bendigo Penthouse is just a stone’s throw from some of Bendigo’s biggest drawcards including Bendigo Art Gallery and Rosalind Park. Unwind on the rooftop deck with a local beer, chill out in the lounge room with a good book or bliss out in the private hot tub – this is a space to enjoy a slice of the good life.

8. Stargazer by Tiny Away

a tiny vacation home at Stargazer by Tiny Away, Bendigo — Take some time off in this tiny vacation house.

Best for: Going off the grid.

A scenic 20-minute drive from Bendigo, this solar-powered home located on a 133-acre rural property is the ideal spot to get away from it all. Pack all your food and drinks before you arrive at Stargazer by Tiny Away – you’ll want to maximise your time in this remote spot without wi-fi. While small in stature, this space has everything you need for a comfy stay including a composting toilet, loft bed, pot-bellied stove and kitchenette with gas cooktop. After dark, get toasty around the outdoor fire pit while admiring the blanket of glittering stars above. BYO marshmallows for a quick campfire dessert.

9. Queens Loft

the dining area at Queens Loft, Bendigo — Stay in a modern and fully furnished NYC-like home.

Best for: A slice of NYC.

Yes, we’re nowhere near the bright light energy of New York City, but a stay at Queens Loft might just send you there spiritually. A loft-style apartment with exposed brick, located inside the historic (and exclusive) Webb and Co building in the middle of town, this Airbnb in Bendigo is filled with all the mod-cons — think high-speed wi-fi, a kitchenette with stainless steel appliances, lift access within the building and a 55-inch HDTV with multiple streaming services. A bedroom with a queen bed will also provide added privacy when it’s time to catch some shut eye.

10. Castle Studio

Bendigo Airbnb — Castle Studio mirrors a medieval castle’s facade.

Best for: Fantasy lovers.

Looking for something totally unique? Castle Studio is a quirky studio Airbnb in Bendigo that, throughout the exterior garden spaces, mirrors a medieval castle’s facade. Pet-friendly and located within the heart of town, the outdoor space is seriously creative, providing makeshift sets to help you reenact movie moments from every angle. Inside, however, it’s all very contemporary, complete with a little kitchenette, queen bed and ensuite bathroom.

Originally written by Jo Stewart with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

Discover the best things to do while you’re in Benidgo

Victoria’s ‘mussel capital’ is the source of exceptional shellfish used by top chefs far and wide. Step aboard a beautifully refurbished trawler to see how these plump and juicy bivalves are sustainably cultivated.

A curtain is slowly winched from the placid, teal waters just off Portarlington , like a floating garland beside our boat. The ropes heave with blue mussels, the star attraction of our tour. But as we reach to pluck our own, it’s quickly clear they’re not alone; a mass of weird and wonderful creatures has colonised the ropes, turning them into a living tapestry. ‘Fairy’ oysters, jelly-like sea squirts, and tiny, wriggling skeleton shrimp all inhabit this underwater ecosystem.

We prize our bivalve bounty from the ropes, and minutes later the mussels arrive split on a platter. The plump orange morsels are served raw, ready to be spritzed with wedges of lemon and a lick of chilli as we gaze out over the bay. They’re briny, tender and faintly sweet. “This wasn’t originally part of the tour,” explains Connie Trathen, who doubles as the boat’s cook, deckhand and guide. “But a chef [who came onboard] wanted to taste the mussels raw first, and it’s now become one of the key features.”

A humble trawler turned Hamptons-style dreamboat

inspecting bivalve bounty from the ropes — Inspecting the bounty. (Image: Visit Victoria/Hannyn Shiggins)

It’s a crisp, calm winter’s day, and the sun is pouring down upon Valerie, a restored Huon pine workhorse that was first launched in January 1980. In a previous life she trawled the turbulent Bass Strait. These days she takes jaunts into Port Phillip Bay under the helm of Lance Wiffen, a fourth-generation Bellarine farmer, and the owner of Portarlington Mussel Tours . While Lance has been involved in the fishing industry for 30-plus years, the company’s tour boat only debuted in 2023.

holding Portarlington mussels — See how these plump and juicy bivalves are sustainably cultivated.

It took more than three years to transform the former shark trawler into a dreamy, Hamptons-esque vessel, with little expense spared. Think muted green suede banquettes, white-washed walls, Breton-striped bench cushions, hardwood tables, bouquets of homegrown dahlias, and woollen blankets sourced from Waverley Mills, Australia’s oldest working textile mill. It’s intimate, too, welcoming 12 guests at most. And yet there’s nothing pretentious about the experience – just warm, down-to-earth Aussie hospitality.

As we cruise out, we crack open a bottle of local bubbles and nibble on the most beautifully curated cheese platter, adorned with seashells and grey saltbush picked from the water’s edge that very morning. Australasian gannets soar overhead, and I’m told it’s not uncommon for guests to spot the odd seal, pod of dolphins, or even the occasional little penguin.

The sustainable secret behind Victoria’s best mussels

blue mussels off Portarlington — Blue mussels sourced just off Portarlington.

Connie and Lance both extol the virtues of mussels. They’re delicious. A lean source of protein and packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, and zinc. They’re cooked in a flash (Connie steams our fresh harvest with cider and onion jam). And they’re also widely regarded as one of the most sustainable foods in the world.

Portarlington mussels with lemon and chilli — Mussels served with lemon and chilli.

“Aquaculture is [often] seen as destructive, so a lot of our guests are really surprised about how environmentally friendly and sustainable our industry is,” Lance says. “[Our mussels] would filter 1.4 billion litres of water a day,” he adds, explaining how mussels remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus from the water. “And through biomineralisation, we lock carbon into mussel shells.”

a hand holding a Portarlington mussel — Mussels are a sustainable food.

Despite their glowing list of accolades, these molluscs have long been seen as the oysters’ poorer cousins. “It was a really slow start,” explains Lance, who says that in the early days of his career, “you could not sell mussels in Victoria”.

But word has slowly caught on. Chefs as globally acclaimed as Attica’s Ben Shewry and even René Redzepi of Noma, Denmark, have travelled to these very waters just to try the shellfish at the source, sharing only the highest praise, and using Lance’s mussels in their restaurants.

guests sampling Portarlington mussels onboard — Sampling the goods onboard. (Image: Visit Victoria/Hannyn Shiggins)

According to Lance there’s one obvious reason why the cool depths of Portarlington outshine other locations for mussel farming. “The water quality is second to none,” he says, noting how other regions are frequently rocked by harvest closures due to poor water quality. “We grow, without a doubt, some of the best shellfish in the world.” And with Lance’s bold claims backed up by some of the industry’s greatest names, perhaps it won’t be much longer until more Aussies uncover the appeal of Portarlington’s mussels.