I am Australian living in Zurich on a B Permit and am plannign to visit Beijing for tourism?

Your B permit is issued from Zurich, right?
If so, you cannot apply in Bern, but to apply in the Chinese consulate in Zurich. You cannot apply and pick up on the same day. The processing days are four working days. For the documents you need to prepare are your valid passport, an application form, a recent taken photo, your B permit, round trip tickets to China and hotel bookings.