Bendigo Law Courts

Bendigo Law Courts is a stately justice building from the Victorian era, constructed with rendered brick walls, Harcourt bluestone foundations, and mansard roofs with dormer windows. Inside, separate entrances for judges, prisoners, and the public lead to a central stone staircase where courtrooms are arranged, creating a functional space designed for the needs of the legal system.

The Victorian Public Works Department commissioned architect George W. Watson to design this courthouse, which was built between 1892 and 1896 by contractors McCulloch and McAlpine. The construction occurred during Victoria's period of expanding its court infrastructure across regional centres.

The building reflects the hierarchies of Victorian justice through its design, with grand public entrances contrasting sharply against plainer separate corridors for prisoners and detainees. This spatial arrangement still expresses how society once valued order and authority.

The building is straightforward for visitors to navigate, with different sections clearly marked by separate entrances and a central stone staircase that connects the main spaces. Access to interior areas may vary depending on court schedules, so it helps to plan your visit and check availability before arriving.

Among the ten justice buildings Victoria constructed between 1875 and 1896, this is the only one not combined with other government facilities. This independence gave it a standalone status that set it apart from its counterparts in other regional centres.

Location: Bendigo

Inception: 1896

GPS coordinates: -36.75780,144.28070

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42