Bendigo Joss House Temple本迪戈关帝庙

Type

Overseas Daoist Temples

Location

Australia · Victoria · Bendigo · 3 Finn Street, Emu Point, North Bendigo VIC 3550

First built

Opened in 1871 · Acquired for preservation by the Commonwealth government in 1941; the National Trust took over its management in 1965; restored and opened to the public in 1972; managed by Bendigo Heritage since 2007

Heritage status

Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1791Heritage Overlay HO581National Trust RegisterRegister of the National Estate

Overview

The Bendigo Joss House Temple opened in 1871, dedicated primarily to Guandi, regarded as a wise judge, guide, protector, and bringer of wealth. It was built of locally handmade bricks painted red, symbolizing joy, strength, and vitality, and belonged to the Ironbark Camp established in 1855. This temple is the sole survivor of the seven Chinese temples built during Bendigo's gold-rush era — Victoria's gold rush drew tens of thousands of Chinese laborers, and temples once dotted the goldfields, but nearly all were lost as the Chinese mining population declined; this temple survived because the Commonwealth government acquired it for preservation in 1941. The National Trust took over its management in 1965, it was restored and opened to the public in 1972, and it has been managed by Bendigo Heritage since 2007. It marked its 150th anniversary in 2021 and has been called 'a rare survivor among buildings of its kind in Australia.' It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR H1791), under Heritage Overlay HO581, on the National Trust register, and on the National Heritage List.

Highlights

• The sole survivor of Bendigo's seven Chinese temples
• Built of locally handmade bricks painted red
• Acquired for preservation by the Commonwealth government in 1941
• 150th anniversary in 2021