One of the good things living in Bendigo is easy access to a country town with heritage status - Castlemaine.

The gold diggings national park includes most of central Victoria. Castlemaine is a town that is only 25 min drive from Bendigo. It has great food and many classical buildings.

Beck's Imperial Hotel

Beck's Imperial HotelThe classical façade of this hotel in Castlemaine

This hotel is located on 56 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine. In 1851, most of the gold digging population scattered around Mount Alexander. Some sort of consolidation measure took place by the government at the time. Castlemaine ended up as one of the towns that people settled in. 

Imperial hotel was also known as Townhall hotel at the time. It was built in 1861. The two storey attic hotel was erected for Faulder Watson to the design of Pauchas and Swyer. Then it changed hands to William Young's Imperial Hotel in 1866. In 1887, the hotel is passed onto Pearson. It is said to have over 50 names over the period of time.

Beck's Imperial HotelA different angle

I tried the Instagram style angle shooting up with Laowa 9mm f5.6 

Beck's Imperial Hotel

Beck's Imperial Hotel Beck's Imperial Hotel Beck's Imperial Hotel Beck's Imperial Hotel

The Mill 

The Mill Coffee Basics Coffee Basics Das Kaffeehaus Coffee Basics

The classic township 

Lyttleton Street Old BookShop Book shop Old cottage

Coffee Basics Das Kaffeehaus

Coffee Basics Das Kaffeehaus Coffee Basics Das Kaffeehaus I had the best cakes and coffee in this place!