Booking Enquiry
Contact our Bookings Officers directly with our Booking Enquiry Form! We will be back in touch shortly to discuss your preferred dates.
Booking FAQs
Discovery is open from 10am – 4pm Tuesday to Sunday during term. We now offer booking from 9:30 am for school excursions. We try to be flexible and don’t want anyone to miss out. If a group simply cannot book within these hours we may be able to discuss other options.* (subject to availability)
We recommend 2 hours for a General Visit and 2.5 hours for an Educational Visit. We are happy to add on extra time if you require a lunch or snack break.
In an excursion to Discovery you’ll have access to: The Exhibits; we have roughly 100 hands on exhibits in our open plan Centre. Everything is hands on and everyone is encouraged to explore.
The Planetarium; sit back and relax as one of our presenters takes you on a journey through the planets and the night sky.
Preschool groups will have access to our special under 6s learning space, Kaleidoscope.
School groups will have a session on The Vertical slide; where kids (aged 5 and over) and adults can drop from 7 meters in an adrenaline fueled fun session.
In an Educational Visit you’ll also have a Lab session or Inquiry Workshops and do some hands on science. Find out more about our amazing programs on our Workshop page.
Yes, we are equipped with ramps and have a disabled toilet and shower room.
Let us know if you think an activity might not be suitable for your group. For example, we don’t offer our Vertical slide to Preschools due to the age restriction.
Yes! We are located directly opposite the Train station. Why not catch the train to the Discovery Centre for an extra fun trip?
The Discovery Centre is located next door to Bendigo’s train station and bus depot, so it is easily accessible by public transport. View map here.
Coming by car? Park at the Bendigo Marketplace carpark, which can be accessed via Mitchell Street, Edward Street and Arthur Street and has over 1,200 free car park spaces including disabled car park and parents with prams parking spaces. View map here.
Bus parking is available behind the Marketplace and alongside the Marketplace loading bay. View diagram here.
We are aware that safety is a major concern for groups visiting us. We have a strict ‘no running’ policy and our professional staff are trained in level 2 first aid. There is only one entry / exit to the Centre for visitors, so you won’t lose anyone and the lead teacher is required to undergo a brief safety induction upon arrival.
You can download our Risk assessment on our website as part of the Teacher Planning Guide.
We will send you an invoice after your visit to us. Be sure to provide an email to your school or groups accounts department, or be prepared to send it to us.
Want to know more? Call us on 03 5444 4400 or email bookings@discovery.asn.au
You can also call in and visit us anytime!
You can fill in a booking enquiry form below! Or you can call in to the centre and speak to our staff, call us on 5444 4400, or email bookings@discovery.asn.au.
Our Premium Party Package includes snacks and mains to suit a variety of individuals, with options that are dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, and vegetarian, as well as standard party favourites. Have a look at our menu to see if this would suit your guests. All Discovery party food is nut-free.
Discovery caters birthday parties for 4 years and older, with a free adult or parent allowed per party guest. Our bookings team are happy to discuss younger siblings and additional adults.
With a Premium Party all you need to bring is the birthday cake! With a Basic and Classic Party you can bring food or nibbles, plus the birthday cake.
For all parties we supply plates, cups, napkins, a colourful party space, party bags, water, and a sharp knife for cutting the cake. There’s also access to a small fridge and microwave in the party space.
If you are keen to bring decorations (like balloons) then you are welcome to do so, we just ask that you take them home with you at the end of the party.
No, Discovery does not supply cakes however we can recommend some good places!
Yes, you can bring food, just be aware that we can’t store it, so make sure you can cover it or eat it straight away. In our experience, with our Premium Party Package there isn’t much need for extra food and it will go home with you again!
Yes. You can stay in the Centre as long as you like after your party until we close at 4pm. However, you will have to remove your belongings from the Lab, as we will need to clean and prepare this space.
When you arrive, your party will be set up and ready to go in the Lab.
Your guests will be sent into the Lab as they arrive, where they can leave their belongings and then proceed into the centre to play.
If you have chosen our Basic Party Package you can ask the staff at the front desk to call the children back to the Lab for cake and photos.
If you have chosen a Standard or Premium Party Package you will be introduced to your very own Partyologist, who will be looking after you for your visit.
Fifteen minutes after the start time (to ensure everyone has time to arrive) a loudspeaker announcement will call all the party guests back to the Lab. This is the time Discovery serves food for catered birthdays and the recommended eating time for parties bringing in food.
After this, your chosen science show will begin! A fun interactive time with all the little kids…and the big kids too.
Time for cake! Sing happy birthday and blow out the candles, we will cut the cake and distribute it for you so you can focus on the precious moment photos.
Head on out to the Vertical Slide and exhibits, time to work off that cake!
Did you order party bags? They can be picked up on the way out.
The Discovery Lab will be your own private party space! Party guests also get time in the exhibits and access to the slide (strictly ages 5 and over).
A Discovery birthday party lasts for 90 minutes, after which Discovery staff need to empty and clean the private party room. Guests are still welcome to remain in the centre for as long as they like until Discovery’s closing time of 4pm.
Discovery hosts birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays during Victorian school terms.
We have three time slots to choose from:
- 10am
- 12pm
- 2pm
