Bendigo’s Groove Tram rolls on with live music, local brews and wine

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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Bendigo is bringing the groove to their historic tramway.

If there’s one thing I’ve always said, it’s that trams should be 70 per cent groovier. Thankfully, Bendigo has taken me seriously and will be sending off a Groove Tram over twice a month.

The small Victorian town of Bendigo, just two hours by train from Melbourne, has already made a name for itself by combining its historic beauty (the town was established in 1851) with modern gastronomic delights, thanks to an incredible restaurant scene and delicious wineries to boot. But nothing exemplifies the old and new more than Bendigo’s historic tramway.

bendigo groove tram exterior
Get your groove thang on Ballarat’s iconic trams.

Stretching the full length of the town, the trams first started operating in 1890, in an on-again, off-again fashion. That old-world charm is maintained even today, thanks to Bendigo being the only place in Australia that left track, trams and a depot behind after closing its tramway system. Today, the tram system in Bendigo is not only a fun way to get around town (even though it’s a very walkable destination), but it’s Australasia’s largest tourist tramway, with over 40,000 visitors flocking to ride it annually.

So, all pretty cool, as is. But like I said – pump up the groove.

On select nights, tram punters can book one of two, adults-only, Groove Tram rides, which Bendigo Tramways itself describes as a way to “be transported to a world of pure entertainment, where live music, local brews and fine wine are all enjoyed against the picturesque backdrop of Bendigo’s rolling vistas". Heavenly.

Each night will have its very own groovy flavour, thanks to a rotating headline of Bendigo’s best musicians. Upcoming performers include David Turpie , Slide , Ally G and Caitie & Co .

bendigo groove tram interior
Boogie on down.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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The details

Price: $25 per person. Drinks and nibbles at bar prices. No BYO.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Times: The first Groove Tram pulls out from 5:30pm to 7:00pm, the second of the night from 8:00pm to 9:30pm.

Dates: Check the website for upcoming dates.

Location: Pick-up and drop-off at Alexandra Fountain

Wondering where to stay between tram rides? These are our top picks of Bendigo hotels and quaint Airbnbs.

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

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    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

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    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

    the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

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    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

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