We Inspire & Nurture Scientific Curiosity

The Discovery Science & Technology Centre is a not for profit incorporated association. Officially established on 31 October 1995, Discovery was Australia’s first science and technology centre outside of a major metropolitan area.

The concept of a science centre in Bendigo was fostered by the Industry and Education Consortium and was strongly supported by the Government of Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo.

This and other significant corporate support allowed Discovery to open in the heritage listed Railway Goods Building, a building externally restored for the City of Greater Bendigo by Woolworths Limited.

Each year Discovery sees more than 30,000 visitors come through its doors.

Board of Management

Click on a board member to find out more about them!

Sponsors & Supporters

Our History

2O22

Bendigo Business Awards

Won the Community minded business award.

2O2O

new solar installed!

new solar installed! (supported by City of Greater Bendigo, Powerhub, Bendigo Sustainability group)

2O19

Slide upgrades

Slide upgrades, new surface motion sensor projector

2O18 

refurbished Kaleidoscope

Premier Daniel Andrews launched the refurbished Kaleidoscope space in March 2018 (supported by John T Reid Charitable trust and the Department of Education and Training)

2O17

Auditorium Upgrade

Auditorium Upgrade (supported by the Department of Education and Training )

2O16

Mini beast 

 Discovery’s mini beast section opened

2O15

Discovery become’s independent

Discovery became independent from the City of Greater Bendigo’s Heritage Trust on the 18 July 2015 and  Discovery reopened under the direct control of Bendigo Science and Technology Museum Board. 

2O13 

Upgrades to Discovery’s lab

 Upgrades to Discovery’s lab (supported by Gandel foundation and La Trobe University)

2O1O/11

Replaced planetarium dome

Canvas planetarium dome replaced with an aluminium dome.

2OO9/1O

Ames room developed

(A room without a single 90 degree angle, sponsored by Coliban Water, explores perception and the relative size of objects)

2OO8

Sidewalk Astronomy

Forming a partnership with the Bendigo District Astronomical Society in June 2008, the beginning of “Sidewalk Astronomy”

2OO5

Kaleidescope established

Kaleidescope established in 2005, funding provided by Ian Potter foundation Kaleidescope is the first “long-term zone”.

2OO3

Funding for new exhibits

Received funding from the Federal Government Innovation Awareness Strategy for new exhibits.

2OOO/O1

December

Imaginarium Science Centre

Assisted with the development of the Imaginarium Science Centre in Devonport Tasmania (Now closed), sent over 55 exhibits and assisted in their assembly.

1995

December

Discovery Science & Technology Centre opened

Discovery Science & Technology Centre opened in October 1995 after more than a year’s development and fundraising.  The project was driven by local educators and others calling themselves the “Industry and Education Consortium” and embraced by the then Commissioners of the newly formed City of Greater Bendigo, who in two stages secured grants from the Victorian government for half of the $1m raised to establish the centre.