Bendigo - Discovery Science & Technology Centre
With over 100 interactive exhibits to explore, you won't know what to try first at Discovery. Be sure to look out for the whacky mirrors that make you look really strange, or the echoing chamber that repeats your words a thousand times over, and don't forget to play a tune on the thong-a-phone!
Some popular Discovery favorites also include:
Bendigo Planetarium: Sit back and relax, on a bean bag, and become immersed in the world above as we take you on a guided journey through the cosmos, venturing to places you've never been before. Each 20 minute show explores the wonders of astronomy and showcases the limitless phenomena in the sky above. Planetarium shows can be seen daily at 1:30pm on weekdays and 11:30am and 1:30pm on weekends and public holidays.
Vertical Slide: Have you ever experienced zero gravity? Discovery is famous for the southern hemisphere's tallest Vertical Slide. So, if you're a thrill seeker, the Vertical Slide is definitely something that you will want to try. With a sheer drop of seven metres you will fall at a speed of 30-40km per hour! All sliders must be at least five years of age. You can plummet down the Vertical Slide at 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily.
Kaleidoscope: Think you're too young for science? Think again. For the young scientist under eight, learn the basic principles of maths and science through the colourful and fun exhibits in Kaleidoscope. Your mind will boggle when you see Kaleidoscopes most popular display the Philatron. Not sure what that is? Come and see for yourself!
Opening Hours:
Hours of Operation
Cost:
Entry Prices
Discovery is a not-for-profit organisation. Entry fees to visit Discovery directly support its exhibits and educational programs.
For a discount check out Small Ideas
Review:
A fantastic set of hands-on science based exhibits will keep the kids entertained for hours. Throw in a huge vertical slide (runs at set times), a 20 minute planetarium show (which is included in the entrance price and also runs at set times) and friendly and enthusiastic staff and you have a winner. Our favourites were Jimball (a speed camera records how fast you throw a ball at a target), rotating chair (stick out your arms and legs to slow down your spin, just like an Olympic ice skater), feeding frenzy lemon shark (a mechanical shark head which catches food balls), a timed sprint from starting blocks, huge echo tube, spinning illusions and an air jet operated by a hand pump where you can blow a ball high into the air.
There is a fenced area dedicated to children under 6 years old called Kaleidoscope with fun activities including a buggy, mine and Bob the Builder area.
A lot of people walked up the stairs to the top of the vertical slide but most came back down via the stairs rather than the slide. It is scary to look down but place your trust in gravity and the fact that no-one has been injured on the slide previously - or maybe that is something we were told to get us down the slide!
During the school holidays when we visited there are extra optional activities for a small additional fee ($2). A science experiment making ice-cream with liquid nitrogen was interesting and had a yummy conclusion when the kids ate the ice-cream which was created.
This was one family activity where it was difficult to drag the kids away.
Photos:
Location
7 Railway Place, Bendigo 3550 Map
✆ (03) 5444 4400
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ www.discovery.asn.au
→ Discovery Centre Bendigo on Facebook
