Visit Bendigo Pottery - Australia's Oldest Working Pottery
Take in the vast history and learn a few things along the way.
Just a 5-minute drive from the Oval Motel.
There are many reasons to visit Australia’s oldest working pottery which in Epsom (A suburb of Bendigo)
One of our recommended Top 10 Things To Do in Bendigo, it’s an excellent thing to do if you have a spare hour or two.
The best place to start is the Pottery Museum.
The Pottery Museum
The museum is attached to the working pottery and has the original wood-fired kilns.
The original wood-fired kilns are so big that one of them has a theatre inside which continually shows footage of the old ways they used to make pottery.
The footage shows how George Guthrie left his Pottery Making business in Scotland to dig for Gold in Bendigo in the 1850s to discover clay that was perfect for pot making and in 1858 started the Bendigo Pottery.
The museum is attached to the working pottery and has the original wood-fired kilns. Photo Credit: Chris Jack Photography
One of the old wood-fired kilns has a theatre inside which continually shows footage of the old ways they used to make pottery. Photo Credit: Chris Jack Photography
In the museum you can also see early pot making equipment and a vast array of early pots and photos.
I was really struck with the insides of the giant kilns. As you walk into each of these giants you can see the glaze build-up that has layered on over the years. It really takes you back in time.
You can also observe the potters using up to date methods of making pots through the various widows they have in place.
It’s a credit to the current owners Rod and Sally Thomson to have the foresight to develop the museum so the younger generation can experience it . For just a few dollars, anyone can learn a great part of Bendigo’s history.
Working Pottery Room
Another feature of the pottery is the working pottery room.
In this room you will observe one of Bendigo Pottery’s finest potters throw some clay on the vintage foot-operated potter’s wheel. I watched as they created perfect pots from start to finish.
Families, groups and school groups can book in and can make their own plate, pot, vase (or whatever take their fancy ). When their original creation is finished, it’s fired and glazed and they take it home to display or give to a loved one.
Watching potters create beautiful pieces from scratch in Bendigo Pottery’s working pottery room - Photo Credit: Chris Jack Photography
Buy A Beautiful Piece of Pottery
Next to the original giant kilns are the many variety of pots , plates ,vases, sugar bowls, butter dishes, pie dishes , bread pots and many many other product which are all made exclusively at the Bendigo Pottery.
Carolyn and I have purchased many pottery products from Bendigo Pottery over the years. We use a sugar bowl, butter keeper and casserole dishes every day!
If you are hungry or thirsty there is a great little café nearby for cups of tea and some delicious light refreshments.
Buy yourself a beautiful piece of pottery expertly made on site - Photo Credit: Chris Jack Photography
Cost, Duration & Times
Cost: Museum is $8 for adults and $4 for kids (See their website for up to date pricing).
Duration: Allow about 2-3 hours to make sure you have enough time to take everything in.
Times: 9am-5pm every day of the week.
Getting There
Bendigo Pottery is about a 5-minute drive from the Oval Motel. Address: 146 Midland Hwy, Epsom VIC 3551.
Gary’s Tips
My advice is to take 2-3 hours to drive out and explore all of what Bendigo Pottery has to offer. You may find yourself out there every time you visit Bendigo.
If you need directions to get there from the Oval motel it’ll be best to ask me (Gary) for directions. Ask Carolyn and there’s no guarantee you will end up at Bendigo pottery. 😊
Feel free to give us a call or drop into reception if you'd like more information.
Gary.