Golden oldies ... the Bendigo Hat Shop's pink-and-white Buckley & Nunn confection.
A vintage shopping tour — with matching car — proves a great find for Sue Wallace.
Heads turn as we stop at the traffic lights of some of Bendigo's busy streets and there are even loud whistles and applause from an enthusiastic group of onlookers.
It seems everyone loves a vintage car.
I am quite at home perched on the back seat of a fully restored 1926 Chevy convertible, with brown leather seats and wheels with wooden spokes.
But this is no rattling jalopy, it's one of three much-loved vintage cars owned by Jenni and Greg Harris, who offer vintage-clothing shopping tours around the city.
It's a smooth ride for fashionistas seeking vintage gems, and the inside gossip is that "vintage" is cheaper in Bendigo shops than in its city counterparts.
Bendigo, all abuzz with the staging of the Grace Kelly: Style Icon fashion exhibition, is home to a variety of vintage-clothing shops, crammed with fashions in vogue decades ago.
Jenni says it is rare that her shoppers don't find something they fall in love with and have to have.
"They buy everything from jewellery to shoes, hats and evening dresses. There really are some great vintage clothes around and I love browsing, too," she says.
Our tour starts outside the Bendigo Visitor Centre, housed in one of the city's most beautiful historic buildings, originally the post office, opened in 1887.
As I climb aboard, Jenni pushes a button - there's no key - and after several strange noises from the engine and a few words of encouragement, we are on our way.
Jenni, who is used to the attention the vintage cars attract, says no matter where she goes, people are interested in the old models.
"There's a certain charm about them and people love sitting back and being driven around," she says.
For the next three hours we stop at some of the city's best-known vintage shops, stocked with classic and quirky clothes, shoes, hats, bags and jewellery from a bygone era.
At Vonica Vintage in View Street we browse the pre-loved fashions that once hung in the wardrobes of well-dressed locals and visitors.
Kaftans, evening skirts, silk shirts and tailored skirts and pants command attention as we sift through the racks bulging with vintage styles.
There are strings of pearls, coloured beads and baubles, cute handbags in all shades, shoes, boots and several hats that remind me of tea cosies.
A soft-grey leather bag takes my eye and I can't resist giving it a new home. Inside the bag I find a grocery shopping list, which adds to the intrigue of the former owner.
Next stop is the Bendigo Hat Shop, where a stunning flowery pink-and-white creation sits in the original hatbox of Buckley & Nunn (the former Melbourne draper store that opened in 1851 and was taken over by David Jones in 1982).
I'm told everyone wants to buy the hat, but it's not for sale, just for looking at.
On closer inspection, I realise the vintage hat is bedecked with rose petals and some greenery.
Next I spy a fascinator on a headband decorated with a posy of the most exquisite handmade flowers created by a local milliner and again I am reaching for my credit card.
Lucky I am alone in the back seat, as my purchases pile up.
Then it is on to Bendigo Pottery, where as well as a large pottery, shop, cafe and museum, it now houses a collection of antiques and collectables, including vintage clothes.
Established in 1858, it is Australia's oldest working pottery and there are more than 30 antique and collectable areas.
Oroton bags, silver shoes and dresses in rainbow colours are displayed and bring gasps of glee from another group of serious vintage shoppers who can't believe their good fortune.
Our final stop is the popular Old Green Bean cafe, where you can sip on great coffee then hunt through racks of quality vintage clothes.
Just as I have become used to the attention my new mode of transport attracts, I am dropped off at my home for the night at Fountain View Suites, boutique accommodation in a Victorian house dating to 1863.
My room overlooks Bendigo's pretty Rosalind Park, which was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2000 because of its historic, archaeological, aesthetic, botanical and architectural significance.
For dinner I head down the street to Bouchon, where talented chef Travis Rodwell specialises in provincial French cuisine.
The next day, I gather my shopping treasures and drive through Bendigo's streets in my own car - minus the whistles and applause. Give me vintage any day.
Sue Wallace was a guest of Tourism Victoria and Goldfields Tourism.
FAST FACTS
Getting there
Vintage Fashion Shopping Tour offers chauffeur-driven three-hour tours around Bendigo's vintage and fashion shops with Bendigo Vintage Cars, including coffee and cake. It costs $65. Historic and winery tours are also available. Phone 5442 8491 or Jenni on 0402 329 799, see bendigovintagecars.com.au.
Staying there
Fountain View Suites, 10-12 View Street, Bendigo, has boutique accommodation in 10 elegant suites. Phone 5435 2121, see fountainview.com.au.
Eating there
Bouchon, 61 High Street, Bendigo. Phone 5444 5272, see bouchonbendigo.com.au.
Old Green Bean, 179 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo, phone 5444 3173, see oldgreenbean.com.au.
More information
See visitgoldfields.com.au; bendigotourism.com.
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