Plan Your Visit
Immerse yourself in the Golden Dragon Museum,
where getting lost is the first step to discovery.
Background and Context
The National Chinese Museum of Australia trading as Golden Dragon Museum opened in Bendigo in 1991. It has a collection of some 30,000 objects being the most significant holding of Chinese heritage and cultural material in Australia.
The Museum is governed by an independent Board and has five staff, several casuals and some 20 volunteers. It operates as a Company Limited by Guarantee and is a registered not-for-profit. Donations to the Museum are tax deductible.
The Museum averages 30,000 – 40,000 paid admissions each year and it is estimated that at least that number again visit the Dai Gum San Precinct bringing total annual attendance to some 70,000 – 80,000 people.
The Precinct includes the Museum, Yi Yuan Gardens and Guan Yin Temple. Golden Dragon Museum is a living history of the Chinese people in Bendigo and of the Chinese diaspora across Australia more widely from the goldrush of the 1850s to the present day. In recent years the Museum has been going through a sustained period of revitalisation and growth across its offerings, programs and facilities which has seen it win several awards and citations.
Jump to:
Opening Hours
9:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday to Sunday
–
Museum Last Entry: 4:30pm
Gardens & Temple Close: 4:30pm
Victorian School Holidays
Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.00pm (open 7 days)
Last entry to the Museum is at 4.30pm
Gardens & Temple close at 4.30pm
Public Holidays
9.30am to 5.00pm
Last entry to the Museum: 4.30pm
Gardens & Temple close at: 4.30pm
ANZAC Day & Christmas Day:
Museum, Gardens and Temple are Closed
| Open | Closed |
| News Years Day | ANZAC Day |
| Australia Day | Christmas Day |
| Labour Day | |
| Good Friday | |
| Easter Monday | |
| Queen’s Birthday | |
| AFL Grand Final Holiday | |
| Bendigo Cup Day | |
| Melbourne Cup Day | |
| Christmas Eve 9:30am – 1:00pm | |
| Boxing Day |
General Admission
Tickets
Admission tickets can be purchased at the Front Desk.
| Adults (17 and Older): | $16 |
| Children (5 to 16): | $10 |
| Children (Under 5): | FREE |
| Concession1 (Students, Seniors, Pensioners): | $13 |
| Companion/Carer: | FREE |
| Family (2 Adults and up to 4 Children): | $40 |
| Bendigo Ambassadors Card3: | FREE |
- The following cards entitle the holder to concession entry: Health Care Card, Pension Card, Seniors Card, Student Card, Veterans Affairs Card, Carers Card.
- Companion Card holders can bring their attendant free of charge. Please present your card to staff upon arrival.
- Conditions of use: free entry only valid with the purchase of any full price adult or family ticket. Please present your card to staff upon arrival.
Group Bookings
Adults: $15
Concession: $12
Group bookings are most welcome for groups of 15 or more.
Groups must contact the Museum and book their visit beforehand to avoid overcrowding.
Guided tours for group bookings are generally not available during Victorian School holidays.
Schools
| Golden Dragon Museum | White Hills Cemetery |
| Preschool: $3 | Preschool: $3 |
| Primary: $9 | Primary: $6 |
| Secondary: $9 | Secondary: $8 |
| Tertiary: $12 | Tertiary: $8 |
Ratio: 1 staff/ adult free of charge to 10 students, additional adults $15, (except for preschool, accompanying adult $5
Special Needs Groups
Adults: $12
Children (5-14): $9
Carers: Free (Ratio 1:1)
Additional Adults: $15
Where to Find Us
Golden Dragon Museum 金龙博物馆
1-11 Bridge Street Bendigo, Dai Gum San Precinct
Accessible via Train to Bendigo Station
Car and Coach Parking
Ticketed car parking is available in the McCrae Street Municipal Car Park and at the rear of the Museum via Park Road in the Tom Flood Municipal Car Park. There is also 1.5-hour free parking on Cemetery Street.
Designated coach parking is located in Farmer Lane. For more parking locations and disabled/accessible parking please visit the City Of Greater Bendigo website.
During Your Visit
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair Access
All areas of the Museum, Classical Chinese Gardens and Kuan Yin Temple are wheelchair accessible. However, there is a step into the Temple that is not wheelchair accessible.
There are a limited number of wheelchairs available from the Front Desk.
Guide Dogs and other registered assistance dogs are welcome at the Golden Dragon Museum in the Gallery spaces, Garden, Temple and to all programs.
Only registered assistance dogs are permitted in the Museum. No other animals are permitted to enter.
Auslan Self-Guided Tour
Deaf and hard of hearing visitors can make use of the Auslan Self-Guided Tour. Supported by Telematics Trust and developed in partnership with Expression Australia (Deaf Hub Bendigo), the tour enables people to visit 10 highlights in their on time, in their own order.
Companion and Carer Support
Companion and Carer Card holders receive one free entry with the purchase of one admission ticket (to equal value).
First Aid
First aid support is available at the Front Desk.
If you or someone in your group requires assistance at any time, please alert a staff member. Our staff are first aid trained and here to help.
Media Information
Commercial Photography and Filming
Our buildings and unique permanent exhibitions make it an ideal location for commercial filming and photography.
While the Museum regularly provides supervised access to a vast array of public spaces and ‘behind the scenes’ locations, our valuable scientific specimens and cultural artefacts are rarely loaned out for commercial filming or photography purposes.
To discuss filming or photography for general commercial purposes, please contact us on +61 (0)3 5441 5044 or via email at info@goldendragonmuseum.org.
Media Photography and Filming
The use of flash photography, tripods, is not permitted in all permanent exhibitions and most temporary exhibitions. Hand held photography and filming is permitted. The Museum regularly hosts news and documentary crews from around the world.
Each request for filming and photography is considered on its own merits and if the request is accepted as a strong promotional opportunity for the museum.
To discuss a photographic or film shoot for media/news purposes, please contact the Museum on +61 (0)3 5441 5044 or via email at info@goldendragonmuseum.org.
Conditions of Entry
By entering the Golden Dragon Museum, each person agrees to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions of Public Entry:
- Tickets are required for entry to the Museum. Enty to the Gardens and Temple is free.
- Tickets are to be presented when requested by staff or volunteers.
- Children are to be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Toilets are for Museum & Restaurant patrons only.
- No food or drink is allowed inside the Museum.
- Only registered assistance dogs are permitted in the Museum. No other animals are permitted to enter.
- Smoking (including the use of e-cigarettes or similar) is not permitted on any of our sites.
- No running inside the Museum.
- Photography is permitted without flash.
- Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
- Please be respectful of our staff/volunteers and other visitors.
- Do not touch or interfere with any objects or displays.
- Please note that CCTV is used throughout these premises and you will be filmed.
Failure to comply with the Conditions of Entry may result in being asked to leave the premises.