Bendigo Pottery

Established in 1858 during the gold rush era, Bendigo Pottery is Australia’s oldest working pottery and one of the best places to visit in country Victoria. Offering a rich blend of history and hands-on creativity, this iconic heritage complex features wheel-throwing pottery classes, clay painting, an interpretive museum, an vibrant Village of Artisans, and a cozy on-site café.

Step Inside Australia’s Home of Craftsmanship & Heritage

Whether you are planning a weekend escape or searching for the best things to do in Bendigo, a visit to Bendigo Pottery delivers an authentic taste of Australian heritage. Founded by Scottish migrant George Duncan Guthrie over 165 years ago, the site has evolved from a gold-rush era clay works into a bustling creative destination for art lovers, families, history enthusiasts, and souvenir hunters alike.

Hands-on Experiences & Creative Activities

At the heart of the precinct is an array of interactive experiences designed for all ages and skill levels:

• Wheel Throwing Pottery Classes: Try your hand at the potter's wheel under the guidance of experienced artisans. Options range from 30-minute introductory lesson sessions to structured 6-week courses and school holiday workshops.
• Paint-a-Piece & Clay Play: Perfect for families and children, choose from a variety of pre-molded ceramic items—from mugs to figurines—to paint and personalize, or enjoy simple clay modeling.
• Interpretive Museum & Historic Kilns: Explore the living history of Australian ceramics inside the on-site museum, featuring historic wood-fired bottle kilns, heritage displays, and vintage production equipment.

Village of Artisans, Shopping & On-Site Café

Beyond clay throwing, the expansive complex offers a full day out:

• The Village of Artisans: Wander through a creative precinct of independent studios where local artists showcase handcrafted silver jewelry, glass art, printmaking, fine art, and bespoke crafts.
• Pottery Showroom & Antiques Centre: Browse extensive collections of modern Australian-made stoneware dinnerware, bakeware, and homewares, alongside a large Antiques & Collectables Centre housed on site.
• Beks Bites Café: Take a relaxing break between workshops at the on-site café, serving fresh coffee, morning teas, light lunches, and baked treats.

Essential Visitor Details

Location: 146 Midland Highway, Epsom (Bendigo), Victoria.

Opening Hours: Complex open 6 days a week (Closed Tuesdays) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Beks Bites Café open from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Vibe: Creative, historic, welcoming, and family-friendly—ideal for day-trippers, history buffs, and hands-on creators.

Key Features: Potter's wheel classes, clay painting, heritage museum, Village of Artisans studios, antiques center, pottery shop, and on-site dining.

Aussie Bucket List Pro-Tips

1. Pre-Book Your Wheel Class: Hands-on pottery wheel sessions are hugely popular, especially on weekends and school holidays—book online ahead of time to secure your wheel.
2. Explore the Historic Bottle Kilns: Take time to walk inside the massive historic brick bottle kilns to gain a true sense of 19th-century industrial pottery production.
3. Allow Time for Glazing & Firing: If you create a piece during a wheel throwing session, remember that your item will need time to dry, glaze, and fire before it can be collected or posted to your home.