Victoria · Attraction
Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
The West's greatest Buddhist monument
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Rising 50 metres above the rural fringe of Bendigo at Myers Flat, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is the largest Buddhist stupa in the Western world. Modelled on the 600-year-old Gyantse Stupa in Tibet and engineered to stand for 1,000 years, it has been under construction since 2003 and draws visitors of all faiths to its grounds for reflection, cultural learning, and extraordinary sacred art.
The stupa's interior holds ornate shrine rooms, a central temple, teaching spaces, a library, and a remarkable collection of Asian sacred relics and statues. Its most celebrated treasure is the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, a 2.5-metre, four-tonne statue carved from gem-quality jade and described as the largest of its kind in the world. The site was personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his 2007 visit.
The surrounding Peace Park invites visitors to walk and sit quietly among the gardens. Self-guided visits are welcome for small groups with no booking required, and the experience is accessible and welcoming to people of any background or belief. Arriving early in the afternoon is recommended to allow enough time to explore the full site.
The on-site cafe serves vegetarian meals, locally roasted coffee, and specialty teas. Weekday hours run from 9am to 3pm, and weekend hours from 10:30am to 3pm.
Scenic views
