❄️ Winter Escape to Bendigo: Gold Mines & Autumn Leaves

After two exhausting days of driving, we opted for stress-free public transport—just a Myki card (A$6 + daily cap A$11) and we were set! ⛏️ Stop 1: Central Deborah Gold Mine 📍 76 Violet St Mine Experience Tour (A$39, 75 mins): Descend 61m in a vintage elevator 🛗 Wear a headlamp helmet to explore real miner tunnels! Note: Guide speaks English, but Chinese booklet available. 🚆 From Melbourne: V/Line train (purple) from Southern Cross (~2h, hourly). Local buses connect to the mine (check Google Maps). ☕ Stop 2: Bendigo Tram Café 📍 1 Tramways Ave (8 AM–3 PM) Quirky eats in a retro tram! Menu on P12. Missed the tram ride? Next time! 🚋 ⛪ Stop 3: Sacred Heart Cathedral 📍 Wattle & High St Free entry (closed Mon-Tue). Golden hour magic: Stroll under autumn leaves—"Like walking through a fairy tale!" 🍁 💡 Why Bendigo in Winter? ✅ No crowds + crisp air ✅ Train ease (no parking stress!) ✅ Gold history + Instagrammable foliage #BendigoGold #MelbourneWinter #AutumnInAU #NoCarNeeded