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| The war
memorial in the main street
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Avoca
Historic goldmining town with wide street and
large number of historic buildings.
Located 181 km north west of Melbourne and 72 km
north of Ballarat, Avoca is notable for its
extraordinarily wide main street - so wide in
fact that there is a huge area of parkland in
the centre which is large enough for picnic
facilities, a war memorial and the occasional
shady tree.
Thomas Mitchell was the first European to
pass through the area. He reached it in 1836
and, as rumour has it, named the local river
'Avoca' after a river or vale in County Wicklow,
Ireland. A decade later there were a number of
squatters in the area but the real change to the
district's fortunes occurred in 1852 when gold
was discovered only 3 km east of the town. By
1854 the town had a population of 2577 and there
were a total of around 6000 diggers operating in
the 6 km of riverbed south of the confluence of
Glenlogie Creek and Avoca River.
It was around this time that Avoca grew
dramatically. A police camp of some 50 troopers
was established in 1853 and a lock-up built the
following year, an impressive Bank of Victoria
was built in 1854 to capitalise the new-found
wealth, a series of businesses set up shop, the
Avoca Hotel opened its doors in 1854, the Union
Hotel in 1855, a Wesleyan Church was built in
1856, a National School in 1857 and the
courthouse in 1859.
A description of the diggings in the early
1860s: 'Shanties, public houses and shops sprang
up rapidly and the place was a veritable beehive
of industry - the whirring of the windlass, the
clank-clank of the buckets, the rumble of the
'cradle' and the puddling machine, the tents,
the lights innumerable at night, the singing oft
bacchanalian the laughter and the brawls made a
medley of sound incidental to the bush mining
camp.'
The town's population had dropped back to 768
by 1871. The railway line from Maryborough was
opened in 1876. But by this time the gold rush
was all but over. Men were still making a
reasonable living at Amphitheatre as late as the
1890s but the gold was now difficult to get.
Slowly the farmers began to reassert themselves.
By the 1870s grapes were being grown in the area
and over the next twenty years mixed farming -
sheep, cattle, orchards - started to dominate in
the area. There were various attempts to use
dredges to extract the gold and these continued
intermittently throughout this century with the
last dredge only stopping operations in 1957.
Today Avoca is a pleasant rural service
centre characterised by its wide main street and
the nearby Pyrenees Ranges. The Pink Lamb and
Purple Shiraz Race Meeting is held in March each
year. There is an Anzac Day Race Meeting in
April each year and the Taltarni Cup Meeting is
held in October.
Things to see:
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| Avoca Hotel
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Tourist Information and Historic Buildings
of High St
The Tourist Information Office is located in
High Street, near the Cambridge St intersection.
There is a pamphlet outlining a walking tour of
the town's historic buildings which lists around
40 separate destinations. It is detailed and
comprehensive and is almost entirely contained
within an area of no more than five blocks by
six blocks. In fact, two-thirds of the sites are
in High St, tel: (03) 5465 3767.
Between Cambridge St and Russell St are the
war memorial, the handsome bluestone of Lalor's
Pharmacy (1854), which is reputedly the oldest
continuously-operating pharmacy in Victoria, the
Avoca Newsagency (c.1887), the Bakery and Tea
Rooms (c.1860), Albion House (c.1866) and the
Victoria Hotel Complex, consisting of
stone-and-brick hotel and stone ballroom (late
1850s) and stone stables (1872). The ballroom
became a venue for travelling performers.
Between Russell and Duke Sts are Kelley's
Store (1865) and the General Store (c.1860) and
between Duke and North is the Avoca Meat Market
(c.1856).
Between Cambridge St and Bridport St are the
post office (1872), the former Albion Hotel
(1868), Holland's Drapery Shop (1866), Filbey's
Butchery (1856), Mackereth's Shop and Wine Depot
(c.1890), Herlihy's Store (c.1870) and the Avoca
Hotel (1870) on the site of the original Avoca
Hotel (1854).
At the south-eastern corner of High and
Bridport is the former Bank of Victoria (1854).
Its imposing facade reflects the boom period of
the town's first years.
Avoca & District Historical Society
The Classical Revival brick courthouse (1859),
in High St (near the Davy St corner), is one of
the earliest surviving courthouses in the state
and is representative of its type and era. It is
now the headquarters of the local historical
society which is proud of its excellent
collection of photographs (over 2,000 and all
catalogued), family history details and
reference materials. It is a vital source of
information for anyone wanting to explore the
local area. For more information contact (03)
5465 3744.
Police Camp
The whole area bounded by Bridport St, Camp St,
High St and the river was the site of the
original police camp established in 1853 and
occupied by 50 troopers trying to maintain order
in the disarray of a goldrush. Some buildings
associated with the police camp are to be found
in Napier St, between Davy and Camp Sts. They
are the coursed bluestone lock-up (1867), which
replaced the original log lock-up (1854), the
police residence (1859) and the powder magazine
(1860).
Rutherford St
At Rutherford and Russell is the former Anglican
rectory (1894). Over the road is the Uniting
Church Complex, consisting of the brick Wesleyan
Church (1867), Sunday School (1870) and
parsonage (1871).
At Rutherford and Duke is 'Rutherford'
(1860s) and at 124 Rutherford St is the former
National School (1857 with later additions). One
of the first to be established in the state it
is a Gothic Revival brick structure which is now
a bed-and-breakfast.
Barnett St
In Barnett St (between North and Duke Sts) is
the impressive Avoca State School, built of
brick to a Gothic design in 1878. On the Russell
St corner is the Anglican Church of St John the
Divine (1871). At Barnett and Bridport are
Chalmer's Presbyterian Church (1864) and manse
(1869).
Blue Pyrenees Estate
There are two vineyards operating quite close to
Avoca. Both can be accessed by driving west on
Vinoca Road which runs off the Sunraysia Highway
just north of Avoca.
Blue Pyrenees Estate, established in 1963, is
set in idyllic surroundings and landscaped
gardens 7 km west of the town in the foothills
of the Pyrenees (en route to Governor's Rock
Lookout). Chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier,
semillon, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon,
cabernet franc, shiraz and merlot are all under
cultivation. There are picnic facilities, al
fresco lunches, an art display, tours of the
underground cellars and a shaded area where you
can play petanque. The cellar door is open daily
from 10.00 a.m. and the restaurant on weekends,
tel: (03) 5465 3202.
Mount Avoca Vineyard
Mount Avoca Vineyard, established in 1970, is
located 5 km west of Avoca off Vinoca Rd in
Moates Lane. It produces trioss, sauvignon
blanc, chardonnay, rhapsody, semillon, shiraz,
cabernet, merlot, cabernet franc, Arda's Choice
and a vintage port. The cellar door is open
weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and
weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily.
There is a picnic area, light lunch is available
on weekends and gourmet picnic lunches by prior
arrangement, tel: (03) 5465 3282.
Percydale
Vinoca Rd is the access route to the site of the
gold town of Percydale which flourished in this
area in the 1870s. It had a large population of
Chinese diggers. Daly's Cottage (built of
vertical slabs, weatherboard, stone and brick in
1865) is about all that remains of the early
days. It was recently taken over by the Avoca &
District Historical Society. Contact (03) 5465
3744 for information about inspections. The town
was named after the police magistrate's son
although the diggings date back to the 1850s
when the area was known as Fiddler's Creek after
a violin-wielding digger.
Redbank Winery
20 km north-west of Avoca, adjacent the
Sunraysia Highway, is Redbank Winery,
established in 1973. It produces shiraz,
cabernet, a cabernet blend, pinot noir, cabernet
franc, chardonnay, a sparkling wine, Sally's
Paddock, Long Paddock and Hundred Tree Hill. The
cellar door is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
every day but Sunday when it opens at 10.00 a.m.
There are barbecue-picnic facilities, a petanque
piste, cheese platters and antipasto, tel: (03)
5467 7255.
Moonambel
Five wineries are clustered around the locality
known as Moonambel which is an area 20 km
north-west on the Navarre Rd. Moonambel
(Aboriginal for 'hollow in the hills') was part
of the Mountain Creek Run in the 1840s and a
township developed in the 1850s after gold was
discovered in the area. When more substantial
finds were made around 1860 the town solidified.
It is claimed there was a floating population of
up to 30 000 in the area. As a result houses,
businesses, breweries, a flour mill, soap
factory, newspaper and hotels emerged. Only the
Commercial Hotel (1866) remains. Although most
mining was alluvial deep-lead mining continued
into the early 20th century. Orchards and
vineyards were established in the 1860s.
Wine-making went into abeyance from 1948 to 1969
but has re-emerged with a vengeance since that
time.
Summerfield
Summerfield, established in 1979, cultivates
shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, trebbiano,
chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. There is a
bluestone tasting room, self-contained units for
those who wish to stay, barbecue facilities and
even a 1-km airstrip. It is 500 m on the western
side of the main road at Moonambel and is open
daily, tel: (03) 5467 2264. Opening hours are
9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. every day but Sunday when
they open at 10.00 a.m.
Warrenmang Vineyard Resort
Warrenmang Vineyard Resort, established in 1974,
produces wines for the Warrenmang and Bazzani
labels - shiraz, sparkling shiraz, cabernet
sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, chenin blanc,
a methode champenoise, salute rosato,
chardonnay, port, salute and traminer.
To get there turn right off the Navarre Rd at
the Mountain Creek Rd sign and it is 500 m away.
There is an award-winning restaurant (open daily
for breakfast, lunch and dinner), a bar, luxury
accommodation (for 84 guests), a pool, spa,
tennis, petanque, barbecue facilities, gourmet
picnic hampers, a children's playground and
conference-function facilities. They are open
daily, tel: (03) 5467 2233.
Mountain Creek
Mountain Creek, established in 1973, is adjacent
the resort on Mountain Creek Rd. Cabernet
sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and muscat are the
main produce. There are scenic views and a
lawned area adjacent the pool. It is open
weekends and public holidays, tel: (03) 5467
2230.
Taltarni
Taltarni, established in 1972, is 3 km along
Taltarni Rd which runs off the Avoca-Stawell Rd,
3 km from Moonambel. They produce riesling,
chenin blanc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay,
shiraz, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, malbec and
merlot. They specialise in 'methode champenoise'
sparkling and dry-wine styles. There is a 1-km
airstrip, petanque, a picnic area in a bush
setting, barbecue facilities and a light brunch
on the spacious verandah. It is open daily from
10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5467 2218.
Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie, established in 1976, is another 2 km
along Taltarni Rd. The most elevated vineyard in
the Pyrenees it offers petanque and outstanding
views. The estate specialises in dry wines and
produces shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, pinit noir
and chardonnay. It is open daily from 10.00 a.m.
to 5.00 p.m., tel; (03) 5467 2388.
Lexton
23 km south of Avoca is Lexton. Land here was
taken up by squatters as early as 1838 and one
of Victoria's first inland townships (then known
as Burnbank) was established in 1845 when two
men built an inn, store, blacksmith and
wheelwright shop. A post office was set up in
1848 and other businesses began to appear. The
first Anglican and Catholic services in the
district were carried out here in 1850 and 1851
respectively.
The town's early establishment enabled it to
capitalise when gold finds were made throughout
the area from 1851 and it grew quickly. In 1852
the Lexton Hotel was built and a local residence
was converted into a courthouse and police
magistrate's residence with police paddocks to
the rear. A Presbyterian school was established
in 1855 and the first church was built the
following year.
When the gold petered out, Lexton returned to
its role as a service centre to the local
pastoral industry. Remaining buildings include
the second courthouse (1874) in Williamson St,
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (1876), at the
eastern end of Williamson St, and St Mary's
Anglican Church (1874) in Skene St.
