The Bendigo recreation reserve was initially known as the Government Camp Reserve in 1853,[4] and this area was reserved for public space under the name of Pall Mall Reserve, Bendigo.[5]
This reserve was later referred as the Upper Reserve for many years before being renamed in 1954 in honour of the Queen of Australia, Queen Elizabeth II.[2][3]
In 1858, a famous foot race took place on the Camp Reserve between Hayes and aboriginal runner, Sheppard for £200 over 200 yards, with 5,000 people present in which Hayes won by three yards.[6]
In 1869, the Andrew's Society held their sports day on the Camp Reserve.[7]
Grandstand
Tenders for the new grandstand at the Upper Reserve were published by the Bendigo City Council in November 1900[8] and the plans were drawn up by the Bendigo City Surveyor, Mr J W Richardson, with a seating capacity of 1500 people.[9] The tender for the full erection of the grandstand was awarded to Mr G A Davey at a cost of £2546.[10] The new grandstand was used for the first time on Wednesday, 19th June 1901 in an Australian Rules football match between Bendigo Football Club and South Bendigo Football Club.[11]
Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo
Cricket
The Upper Reserve hosted touring cricket teams as early as 1897.[2] It was renamed in April 1954 in honour of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Bendigo earlier that year.[3] The ground hosted two World Series Cricket exhibition matches in 1977 and 1979.[2] During the 1990s one List A and two first-class matches were held at the ground.[12][13] It also hosted one Women's Test cricket in 1985 between Australia and England.[14] In June 2025, it was announced that a statue of Barbara Rae, the highest scorer at Australia's first ever women's cricket match in 1874, would be erected at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.[15]
On 29 February 2008, at an NAB Challenge Cup game under lights, there was a blackout in the final quarter.[19]
In 2011 the ground was redeveloped at a cost of A$2.2m. The upgrade included a new terraced seating section, capable of holding 900 people, the installation of all-weather grass, lighting being upgraded to Australian Football League (AFL) standard, and a new electronic scoreboard and big screen being installed. Asbestos in the grandstand was also removed.[20]
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Australia v 
England 
