With the 2024 Bendigo Easter Festival only a week away, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to and from the major event during the busy long weekend.
Road closures and detours will be in place in the city centre to facilitate the staging of Bendigo’s biggest homegrown community festival from Good Friday March 29 to Easter Monday April 1.
From 6am on Good Friday until 6pm on Easter Sunday, Pall Mall will close from View Street to Chapel Street. Other surrounding roads in the city centre will be closed at various times over the Easter weekend, particularly during the parade times. Detours will be in place.
No unauthorised vehicles will be permitted within the Bendigo Easter Festival precinct/road closure areas during event times. These areas have been declared a temporary tow away zone.
Residents and visitors are strongly advised not to park or leave a car overnight in the tow away zone. Any unauthorised vehicle left in the road closure area during the event times will be towed to a location outside of the closure area if Victoria Police are unable to contact the owner to move the vehicle.
During the festival, the two multi storey car parks will be open for longer:
Hargreaves Street multi storey car park (opposite Bendigo Library)
Good Friday: 7am – 8pm
Saturday: 7am – 11pm
Easter Sunday: 7am – 8pm
Edward Street multi storey car park (75 Queen Street)
Good Friday: 7am – 8pm
Saturday: 7am – 11pm
Easter Sunday: 7am -8pm
Please note the following car parks will be closed at various times during the festival:
• The McCrae Street car park will be closed and declared a temporary tow away zone from 5pm Thursday March 28 until 6pm Sunday March 31
• The Queen Elizabeth Oval car park will be closed and declared a temporary tow away zone from 6am Saturday March 30 until 6pm Sunday March 31
• The Tom Flood Sports Centre car park will be closed and declared a temporary tow away zone from 6am Saturday March 30 until 6pm Sunday March 31
Designated accessible parking close to the festival precinct will be available at Williamson Street on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (between Hargreaves Street and Pall Mall).
The following accessible parking will be available for parade times only:
• McCrae Street (near Chapel/Bridge Street intersection)
• Mitchell Street (Pall Mall end)
• Mackenzie Street (View Street end)
• Bath Lane (access via Mitchell Street)
Disability permits need to be displayed on the dashboard at all times.
The accessibility map also shows the locations for accessible toilets during the festival, including the Marveloo at McCrae Street car park.
Along the parade route there will be designated viewing areas for people using motorised scooters and wheelchairs.
Bendigo Tramways Park ‘n’ Ride Tram shuttle ticket is a great option to avoid traffic and parking issues and travel easily to and from the city centre. Tram stops are at Central Deborah Gold Mine, Lake Weeroona and Bendigo Joss House Temple and tickets are valid all day, $5 per person (children 15 and under are free).
Bicycle parking is available in Rosalind Park at the View Street end (please bring your own bike lock).
Public Transport will operate over the Easter weekend. Some services will be impacted by road closures during the festival. Visit the Public Transport Victoria website for details.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Tourism and Major Events Terry Karamaloudis said it was important for people to be aware in advance of the tow away zone and the road closures.
“The road closures and the tow away zone at the festival precinct are necessary to meet the needs of staging Bendigo’s biggest community festival and accommodate thousands of people flocking to events and activities on foot,” Mr Karamaloudis said.
“The City would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and local businesses for their understanding and patience while these temporary road closures are in place.
“I strongly encourage residents and visitors to refer to the road closure map on the Bendigo Easter Festival website so you can plan your trip to the festival.”
