A cultural escape north of Melbourne

Ninety-five miles north of Melbourne, Bendigo struck it rich in Australia’s 19th-century gold rush. In its heyday, it was the biggest gold strike in the world, financing ornate hotels, halls and civic structures. Within a century the mines were depleted and the economy shrank, but recently the town of 85,000 has emerged as a cultural escape for Melburnians as a new wave of entrepreneurs and institutions has adapted the historic Victorian storefronts and grand bank buildings to new uses. The former jail is set to reopen as the 1,000-seat Ulumbarra Theater in 2015, but weekenders will already find renewal aplenty.

Bendigo Art Gallery Housing a strong collection of Australian and European art from the 19th century forward, the Bendigo Art Gallery added a wing for exhibition and storage this spring. The museum is credited with sparking new life in Bendigo by landing high-quality touring shows. From Dec. 12 through March 1, it will reprise and expand on an exhibition of the Sydney-born contemporary painter Ben Quilty that appeared at London’s Saatchi Gallery earlier this year.

42 View St.; 61-5434-6088; bendigoartgallery.com.au


Masons of Bendigo The husband and wife chefs Nick and Sonia Anthony worked in London and Singapore before returning to his hometown to open the farm-to-table Masons of Bendigo in a former glass factory. The seasonal menu lists multicultural dishes such as spit-roasted goat shoulder with ancient grains, tzatziki and dates.

25 Queen St.; 61-3-5443-3877; masonsofbendigo.com.au


Brewhouse Coffee Roasters
Brewhouse Coffee Roasters sources its beans globally and roasts them locally for wholesale. Its industrial-style cafe features corrugated metal and exposed brick walls and views to the roasters. In addition to serving the breakfast crowd, the owner Corey Scoble plans to open Bendigo’s first rooftop bar above the cafe next year.

402 Hargreaves St.; 61-3-5442-8224; brewhousecoffee.com.au

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
Set for completion next year, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion claims to be the largest stupa, or Buddhist monument, in the Western world. The eventual home of the Jade Buddha, purportedly the largest Buddha statue carved from gem-quality jade, the $20-million, 160-foot-tall, unadorned temple, just outside town in a gum tree forest, already offers tours.

25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat; 61-3-5466-7568; stupa.org.au


The Schaller Studio
The Art Series hotel group, with hotels whose themes are Australian artists, opened the 128-room Schaller Studio in May, featuring the colorful landscapes and still life paintings of Mark Schaller, and even his signature in neon yellow on guest room walls. Guests gather in the lively lobby to drink and dine amid original artworks. Rooms from 125 Australian dollars.
Lucan and Bayne streets; 61-3-4433-6100; artserieshotels.com.au/schaller