We love going on day trips and weekend getaways to Bendigo, and one of the town’s landmarks is about to get an upgrade. The Golden Dragon Museum will go through a major redevelopment, and slowly transform into the National Chinese Museum of Australia. This museum, which first opened in 1991 as a way to preserve Chinese heritage in Australia, is home to a collection of incredibly significant items. The museum received over $392,000 in funding, which will be used to plan the next stage of its development.
Golden Dragon Museum redevelopment
The museum is home to Loong, the oldest surviving complete processional dragon in the world. This dragon made his first processional appearance all the way back in 1901. He was the star attraction of the Bendigo Easter Festival every year until 1970, when he retired and was succeeded by the 100-metre-long dragon Sun Loong. In May last year, both Loong and Sun Loong, as well as other museum artefacts, were damaged by vandals.
In 2019, the world’s longest imperial dragon, Dai Gum Loon, arrived for the parade. Created by celebrated dragon maker Master Hui in Hong Kong, this stunning dragon is 125 metres long, and has over 7,000 handmade scales. You can see all of these dragons at the museum.
“Bendigo is home to one of Victoria’s most important cultural institutions – and this funding will help the Golden Dragon Museum grow into a national museum that tells the story of Chinese Australians for generations to come,” said Premier Jacinta Allan.
The redevelopment will include three new exhibition spaces, an immersive theatre, a research centre and education studio, new building exteriors, an improved retail experience and updated amenities and storage.
The museum currently holds a collection of over 30,000 objects, and showcases the history of Chinese people in Bendigo, from the gold rush to the present day. When you’re not in the museum, take a stroll through the serene Yi Yuan Gardens (Garden of Joy) and visit the nearby Guan Yin Temple. If you’re in Bendigo this spring, don’t miss the stunning Bendigo Annual Tulip Display.
You’ll find the Golden Dragon Museum at 1/11 Bridge St, Bendigo VIC 3550. Start planning your visit here.
