Bendigo is home to some of Australia's favorite wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, owls and colourful native parrots. You will also find echidnas around Bendigo. Did you know that a young echidna is called a 'puggle'?

Golden Dragon Museum

Bendigo Victoria

The Golden Dragon Museum is located at 5-13 Bridge Street. It was opened in 1991 and the Guan Yin (Kuan Yum) Temple was consecrated on 30 November 1996. It proudly declares itself 'a living history of the Chinese people of Bendigo from the goldrush of the 1850s to the present day.' The collection includes all manner of memorabilia and processional regalia. There are six dragons housed in the museum.

1. The Loong dragon is reputed to be the world's oldest imperial dragon. It was used during the Australian Federation ceremonies in Melbourne in 1901 and appeared again at the 2001 festivities. Apart from very special occasions it has not been used regularly since 1970. It is thought to be about 110 years old.

2. The Sun Loong dragon is the world's longest imperial dragon. Over 100 metres in length, it requires 52 men to carry it and it features 4500 scales, 90,000 mirrors and 30,000 beads.

3. The Gansu Loong dragon is an old night dragon and is a present from the people of Hong Kong.

4. The Yar Loong is a new night dragon which glows in the dark and is specifically for the night procession at Easter.

5 & 6 are the Ming & Ping Loong dragons which are twin male and female dragons with male and female attendants.

The museum is surrounded by the beautiful Classical Chinese Gardens which were modelled on the Imperial Gardens of Beijing. Features are a traditional water garden and a Kuan Yin temple.