🏛️ Hidden Gem Alert: Bendigo Art Gallery Near Melbourne!

While NGV steals the spotlight, Bendigo Art Gallery—a free, historic, and equally captivating** alternative—deserves your itinerary! Here’s why: 📍 Essentials Address: 42 View St, Bendigo Hours: Mon-Fri 10 AM–5 PM (closed weekends) Admission: FREE! 🎉 ✨ Cool Facts 1️⃣ Older than NGV! Founded in 1854 (7 years before NGV)10. 2️⃣ Blockbuster Exhibitions: Past hits include Marilyn Monroe and Alice in Wonderland Surrealism10. 3️⃣ Treasure Trove: Houses 19th-century Aussie masterpieces by Streeton, Roberts & McCubbin10. 4️⃣ Perfect Location: Pair your visit with: ⛏️ Central Deborah Gold Mine (descend 61m!) ⛪ Sacred Heart Cathedral (AU’s 3rd-tallest)25 🚋 Vintage trams + 🏮 Yi Yuan Chinese Garden69. 📸 Why Visit? ✅ Architecture: 19th-century European elegance10. ✅ Crowd-Free: No NGV queues! ✅ Photo Ops: Think gilded frames + moody galleries. #BendigoArt #HiddenMelbourne #FreeArt #CultureTrip