Greater Bendigo

Greater Bendigo Family

Families across Greater Bendigo can borrow toys, cool off at a splash park, join library activities, explore youth programs and reach practical support for parenting, development and wellbeing. Options extend from Spring Gully and Long Gully to Heathcote, Axedale, Elmore and other communities across the municipality.

✨ Play, borrow and learn together

Bendigo Community Toy Library

Based in Spring Gully, this member-run toy library gives families, grandparents and carers access to toys, games and equipment, with most of the collection suited to children aged up to six. Membership is required and standard loans run for 21 days. Inclusive borrowing sessions and click-and-collect are available for families of children with disability or developmental delay. Party packs can also be booked in advance for an additional fee.

Long Gully Splash Park

For free seasonal water play, families can visit this City-operated, zero-depth splash park and adjoining dry play area. Children activate the water equipment, which operates in four-minute cycles. Shaded seating, picnic tables, barbecues, toilets, change rooms, grassed space and a basketball ring make longer visits practical. The season generally runs from the last Monday in September to the last Sunday in March, subject to forecast conditions.

Goldfields Library Corporation – Greater Bendigo libraries

Free membership opens up borrowing across the wider Goldfields Library network, along with eLibrary resources that include children’s learning activities. Bendigo Library has a dedicated children’s area, while Kangaroo Flat Library offers a children’s area and family-friendly spaces. Families outside central Bendigo can also find libraries in Eaglehawk and Heathcote, plus smaller agencies in Axedale and Elmore with limited weekly hours.

City of Greater Bendigo Early Years Events

The City supports activities and events for children from birth to 12. Its published 2026 calendar includes FunLoong Fun Day at Hargreaves Mall on 24 October and the Eaglehawk Children’s Festival at Canterbury Gardens on 26 November. Check the event information closer to the date for participation arrangements and any updates.

🌟 Activities and support for young people

YO Bendigo

Young people aged 12–25 can connect with activities focused on creativity, leadership and practical skills through this City of Greater Bendigo youth program. Its changing calendar includes youth events, school-holiday activities, creative workshops and training. The youth space is on Level 2 at 41–43 Mundy Street, Bendigo, with access by lift or stairs; consult the current calendar before attending.

headspace Bendigo

Young people aged 12–25 can access free, confidential support in person, by phone or online. They may self-refer, while family members, friends and professionals can also make referrals. The centre has disability access. Caregivers who would like to help shape local services and programs can enquire about the Family and Friends Reference Group, which meets monthly.

👶 Early parenting and child development

City of Greater Bendigo Maternal and Child Health Service

Parents and carers of children from birth to school age can arrange appointments through the Council’s central booking system. Centres operate across Greater Bendigo, including Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Heathcote, Huntly, Marong, Strathfieldsaye and Maiden Gully. Families can use the City’s service finder to identify a nearby centre and may request an appointment when they have concerns about their child’s development.

City of Greater Bendigo Sleep and Settling Program

Free help is available for parents and carers managing sleep and settling concerns before their child reaches school age. Support may involve a telephone consultation, an age-based group session for newborns, babies or toddlers, or an in-home visit for significant and ongoing concerns. Families can self-refer or discuss the program with a maternal and child health nurse or at a drop-in clinic.

Wayipunga Bendigo Early Parenting Centre

Bendigo Health provides this free specialist service for families with children aged up to four. Areas of support include sleep and settling, feeding, infant cues, attachment, play, behaviour and adjustment to parenting. Day stays are available for children up to about 18 months, while four-night residential stays serve families with infants through to four-year-olds. Parents and carers may self-refer, and a Medicare card is not required.

Speaking Spot Bendigo

Families concerned about the speech or language development of a child under school age can attend this free monthly online clinic. A speech pathologist and maternal and child health nurse are available without a referral or pre-arranged appointment. When appropriate, the team can make a referral to community health outpatient speech pathology on the day.

Intereach Early Childhood Partner

Operating from a Bendigo office for families in the Loddon service area, Intereach supports children aged up to eight with developmental delay or concerns, as well as children under nine with diagnosed disability. Parents and carers can refer directly. Depending on the child’s circumstances, help may include information, links with community services, short-term early supports or assistance to request NDIS access.

🤝 Parenting, family wellbeing and safety

CatholicCare Victoria – Regional Parenting Service and Parenting Orders Program

Parents, guardians and carers of children from birth to 18 can access group sessions and one-to-one consultations through the Regional Parenting Service at CatholicCare’s Bendigo location. Separated parents and carers may also be able to use the Parenting Orders Program, which combines individual counselling with group education centred on co-parenting and children’s needs.

The Orange Door – Loddon

This free Bendigo-based regional service supports people who need help with the care and wellbeing of children or young people, as well as people experiencing or using family violence. No referral is needed. Staff can connect individuals and families with relevant child, family, Aboriginal, counselling, accommodation, mental health, financial and legal supports.

Centre for Non-Violence

Across Bendigo and the Loddon Campaspe region, this specialist family violence organisation provides support and recovery programs for women and children experiencing family violence or homelessness. It also works with men who use violence. A Bendigo-region support line operates during business hours; use the organisation’s official information to find the appropriate contact pathway.

📌 Before you go or make contact

• Check ages and eligibility: programs use different age limits, service areas and developmental criteria.
• Confirm bookings: appointments, referrals, memberships, party packs, day stays and residential stays have different arrangements.
• Review current details: seasonal facilities, event dates, youth calendars and smaller library agency hours can change.
• Ask about access needs: contact the provider before visiting if your family needs physical access, communication support or a quieter participation option.
• Clarify supervision and costs: check whether an adult must remain present and whether fees apply beyond services described as free.

🎯 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Greater Bendigo, you are warmly invited to add your details or update an existing listing so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on bendigo.guide.