Epsom

The suburb of Epsom is located on the north side of Bendigo, only a short distance from the famous Bendigo Pottery.

Built by and on the world's largest goldmine, modern Bendigo makes an elegant statement about its links with the precious metal on which tens of thousands of miners drawn from across the world pinned their dreams and, in many cases, their lives.

And it is doubtful whether the art of goldmining is displayed any better in the world than in the underground galleries of the Central Deborah Gold Mine which is just a nugget's throw from the city centre.

The complex offers visitors an above ground display as well as the chance to descend into "the bowels of the earth". Fitted out with hard hats and individual lights, visitors get to explore shafts 61 metres below the surface. It is a daunting but exhilarating experience.

But in feasting on the romance of gold and history don't deny yourself the pleasure of a visit to the recently redeveloped Bendigo Art Gallery. Justifiably acknowledged as the guardian of one of the finest regional art collections in Australia, the gallery is also one of the most visitor-friendly in the nation.