Going down a gold mine has to be one of the best things I’ve ever done with the kids. I was really worried about visiting the Central Deborah Gold Mine with kids. Going down a mine with two children alone… But it was so unnecessary!! The whole experience was perfect and they both loved it as much as I did.
Surprisingly there is enough to keep the kids entertained for a whole morning as it’s not just about going down the mine. And we didn’t even get to do everything, we got to the car, the kids had five second sit in their car seats and then wanted to turn around and go do everything else.
This isn’t the first time I had been down a mine but it was definitely a safer and more extensive experience. I learnt so much this time around.
I would really encourage you, if you’re in the greater Bendigo area to visit the mine, especially if you haven’t been down a mine before.
In this post I’m going to tell you what’s on offer at the mine, about the experience so you know what to expect and some of the basic logistics so you know where to go. I’ve also got a few TOP TIPS as usual.
Visiting the Central Deborah Gold Mine with kids
No matter what list you read, the Central Deborah Gold Mine is always featured on what to do in Bendigo.
I’m generally suspicious of places that always feature on these lists because they often lack that something special. They’re often visited by many and then don’t feel the need to make an effort with visitors.
Well that is not the case with the Central Deborah Gold Mine. We had the most lovely and engaging tour guide who treated us like members of his extended family.
He looked out for every member of the tour and was able to answer any question and handle the smaller members of the tour who wouldn’t stop talking.
Surprisingly, there also weren’t that many people there so we got to wander around the top of the mine without being crowded or pushed around. It was really like being in our own shanty town from the 1980s.
But I’ll get into the features of the mine a bit later, let’s deal with logistics first.
Where is the Central Deborah Gold Mine
Location
Believe it or not the mine is actually in Bendigo town. Not on the outer limits of the town or in the country side as I originally thought.
You could literally drive past it and if you weren’t looking for it or didn’t know what a “poppet” is you wouldn’t notice it.
Actual Address
The actual address for the Mine is 76 Violet St, Bendigo VIC 3550.
Getting to the Central Deborah Gold Mine with Kids
By Tram
I would say that the most fun way to get to the Central Deborah Gold Mine with kids is by tram. (I’m not sure that sentence is even grammatically correct).
The Bendigo Tram stops at the Central Deborah Gold Mine so you could always park at another attraction or even in town (although you would pay for parking) and then head to the mine.
The tram stops directly outside the entrance to the Mine.
By Car
The easiest way to get to the mine with kids is by car. There is car parking just on the other side of the mine on Creek Street North.
What to do at the Central Deborah Gold Mine with Kids
Underground
There are 17 levels underground. The tours vary between Level 2 and Level 9, Level 9 being the deepest.
Nine Levels of Darkness
You can head 228m underground in an original miner’s cage to levels 6,8 and 9. We did NOT go this deep underground. I’m not sure I’d be able to handle the miner’s cage or being that deep underground for that long.
On this tour you’re actually put to work like a 1900s miner would have been. You’ll have to:
- make your own name tag to sign in and set a charge;
- operate a rock drill; and
- learn the bell system.
I think the thing I would be most scared of, but I bet my sister would LOVE LOVE this, is climbing 50m down a mine shaft. Don’t worry you will be put into a harness…
A traditional miner’s lunch is also included in this tour. I guess it would be one of those pies that is half meat and half jam.
Underground Adventure Tour
This tour is a 2.5 hour tour over Levels 2 and 3 which translates to being 85m underground. I wasn’t even sure that I could handle 2.5 hours underground let alone the kids.
After you explore the tunnels on level 2 you then climb down ladders to get to Level 3.
On this tour you will also get the change to try working a rock drill. Thankfully you will be fed after all your hard work as the tour includes a traditional miner’s lunch.
The Mine Tour Experience
We did the Mine Tour Experience which is the tour closest to the surface. It’s still 61m underground though and visits Level 2.
This tour is 75 minutes, although it really doesn’t feel that long.
On the Mine Tour Experience you go underground in a caged lift and explore the level walking through all the tunnels. Don’t worry, they’re not narrow, you’re not crawling through anything – you’re walking in groups, side by side or even three a breast. It’s quite wide down there.
On the tour you get to check out where there is real gold in the walls and where some people were tricked by “Fools Gold”, we were tricked a few times.
There are heavy duty power tools that two lucky volunteers got to test out for themselves.
We also got to see where the miners would sit and eat.
Kids have to be over 3 years old to be on this tour.
Above Ground
With every tour you also gain access to the surface of the mine. Here you’ll find a mini museum, climb the poppet and can try you hand at panning for gold.
On the site you’ll find all the original buildings and equipment that were essential to the operation of Central Deborah in its mining days.
The various buildings include:
- old Blacksmith’s Shop;
- the First Aid Room;
- the Carbide Lamp Room; and
- the Engine Room that 1945 Winder.
Unfortunately by the time we went down the mine and panned for gold the kids were too worn out to climb the poppet or visit the museum. Maybe if I’d fed them more beforehand they would have had more energy.
Panning for Gold
At the very back end of the open area you’ll find a shed with what looks like troughs that cows would eat out of. They’re filled with water. It’s in there that you will find the teeny tiny little pieces of gold.
TOP TIP: if your kids are panning for gold, take spare clothes for you and them. I landed up sopping wet with the amount of water that was poured out on me.
ANOTHER TOP TIP: don’t tell your kids about the gold panning if it’s winter in Bendigo. The water is so cold, your fingers feel like they’ll freeze off!
Going up the Poppet
If you’re not scared of heights you can climb the poppet head. It’ll give you a great oversight of the mine down below and beyond that birdseye view of Bendigo
The Museum
Be sure to visit the interpretive museum to see the “Hand of Faith” gold nugget replica.
The Hand of Faith weighs 27.2kg and was found near Bendigo. It’s the largest gold nugget ever found with a metal detector. A metal detector!!
What to wear to the Central Deborah Gold Mine
What to wear underground
For the Mine Tour Experience
Adults and children will be required to wear hard hats but only adults will be given then miners lamp as the battery pack is too heavy for little kids to wear. Instead kids will be given a torch to carry around.
My 6 year old wore a miners lamp but my 4 year old had to carry a torch and thank goodness she did because my 6 year old decided to turn his light off at one stage and we couldn’t see how to turn it back on until my daughter helped us out.
For the Underground Adventure Tour
In this tour you’re going deeper underground so in addition to the hat and miner’s lamp, you will also be given overalls and boots. I gather that means that you’re going to get dirty and maybe even a little wet.
For Nine Levels of Darkness
For this tour you get kitted out in a full miners outfit. I don’t know what that means but it sounds heavy.
What you need to take with
You will need to wear shoes that are flat, comfortable and enclosed. I would also suggest that you wear shoes that can get slightly damp as there is water in some areas.
You will also need to make sure you’ve got jerseys on and even beanies as it does get cold underground!
It’s 14 degrees underground!!
Opening Times, Tour Times and Tickets
Opening Times
The Central Deborah Gold Mine is open between 9:30am-4:30pm daily.
You can do any self-guided tour of the surface at your leisure.
Underground Tour Times
| Mine Experience Tour | 10:30am | 12:00pm | 1:30pm | 3:00pm |
| Underground Adventure Tour | 11am | 2pm | ||
| Nine Levels of Darkness* | 10:30am |
* Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays but not on public holidays
There are more frequent tours during holiday seasons.
Tickets
Groups of 10 or more are advised to book in advance.
| Child | Adult | Concession | Family | |||
| Explore the Surface | $4 | $6.50 | $5 | $19 | ||
| Mine Experience Tour | $17 | $32 | $28 | $88 | ||
| Underground Adventure Tour | $52.50 | $85 | $75 | $245 | ||
| Nine Levels of Darkness | $199 |
Family tickets include tickets for 2 adults and up to 4 children.
You can book tickets online on the Central Deborah Gold Mine website but you cannot book online on the day of your tour. Online bookings need to be made before midnight.
To book on the day of your tour, please phone 03 5443 8255.
Ticket Packages
There are some package deals available which include the Tram and other sites.
For the full gold rush experience package your Central Deborah Gold Mine experience with a Bendigo Tramways Vintage Talking Tram tour and a visit to the Bendigo Joss House Temple
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