Balmoral
Small country service town
Balmoral is a small rural service centre of 214
people picturesquely situated on the banks of
the Glenelg River amidst river red gums and
undulating countryside where wool still
predominates. It is 79 km south-west of Horsham,
54 km north of Coleraine and 328 km north-west
of Melbourne.
This area was known as 'Darrangurt' by the
local Aborigines. They constructed large-scale
artificial drainage systems to the north-east of
Balmoral. Dated to c.1700 A.D., these channels,
which covered an area of 3 km, drained marshy
ground lying between two natural swamps. When it
rained the swamps overflowed and eels and fish
were flushed into the channels where a series of
traps were established. They may also have been
a way of preventing floods during heavy rainfall
and of retaining water in dry periods. The main
channel was originally 2.5 metres wide and over
one metre deep. Sections of it are well
preserved.
The first Europeans in the area were the
party of Thomas Mitchell who passed nearby on
their Australia Felix expedition of 1836. The
first land was taken up hereabouts by whites
around 1840 and several homesteads from the
1840s remain: 'Fulham' was erected of coursed
rubble basalt in the 1840s for pastoralist
George Armytage who was a major landholder in
the Western District; 'Englefield' is on the
road to Hamilton, and the original 'Congbool'
homestead, on Mathers Creek, is a timber-slab
homestead constructed between 1842 and 1859.
The township began to emerge around a river
crossing on the Glenelg for those travelling
between Melbourne and Adelaide. An inn was
built, along with a fellmongery, store and
woolshed. The early European settlers called it
'Black Swamp' but, reflecting the predominance
of Scottish settlers, it was renamed 'Balmoral'
after the initial town survey, in honour of the
royal residence in Scotland.
A police camp was established here in the
1850s to catch out Chinese immigrants who landed
at South Australia and walked to the Victorian
goldfields to avoid paying a poll tax which was
imposed if they disembarked at Victorian ports
(in order to discourage their immigration).
By 1870 the red gums of the area were being
exploited by timbergetters, altering the
landscape from forest to open grassland. In the
early 1950s, 600 construction workers arrived in
the area to build Rocklands Dam.
The Pastoral and Agricultural Show is held
each year in March.
Things to see:
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Courthouse and Gaol
The weatherboard courthouse (1877) is located in
Glendinning St. It has a small display of
historic items and it can be inspected by
appointment, tel: (03) 5570 1377. To its rear is
an ironstone gaol (1866) which can be clearly
seen from the courthouse although it cannot be
inspected as it is on private property.
Stanmore Folk Sculpture
Stanmore Folk Sculpture features the works of
Betty Trottman. Betty's workshop is her historic
1860s home which features fine cottage gardens
for walking and picnicking. It is located a very
short distance from town on the Harrow Rd and is
open weekends and school holidays from 12.30
p.m. to 4.30 p.m. or by appointment. The
admission charge includes afternoon tea (or
morning tea), tel: (03) 5570 1393.
Seymour Park
Located at the corner of Glendinning St and
Stirling St this is a recreational area in the
town centre. There are parking and picnicking
facilities.
Longfella Park
This recreational area, with picnic facilities,
overlooks Mathers Creek at the lower end of town
(in Fairburn St).
Balmoral Arts and Crafts
Balmoral Arts and Crafts, in Glendinning St, is
open three-and-a-half days a week.
Ford Reserve
On the eastern side of town, a short walk from
the town centre, along Rocklands Road, is the
original ford over the Glenelg River, used in
the mid-19th century by Cobb & Co coaches and
passengers travelling between Melbourne and
Adelaide. The town has received a grant to
return the crossing site to its original
condition and restore its historic aspect,
including the wire which people held onto as
they made their way across the river.
The Underground House
This terradome house is an unusual construction
designed to maintain a constant temperature all
year round. As this kind of house is usually
built into a hillside, and there was none on the
property, the owners had a hillside constructed
by the importation of large amounts of earth. It
is an interesting structure which can be
inspected by appointment. Ring Jim and Lana
Howman on (03) 5570 1392.
Balmoral Golf Course
Balmoral has an outstanding 18-hole sandscrape
golf course set in natural bushland which has
been chosen as the site of the state golf
championships twice in the 1990s, tel: (03) 5570
1316.
Historic Town Walk
An historic town walk is being planned for the
town. It will be available from the post office
and hotel.
Rocklands Reservoir, Toolondo Reservoir
and Black Range State Park
Rocklands Reservoir (a part of the Wimmera-Mallee
irrigation system) is the major local
attraction. This popular fishing and boating
area, to the east of Balmoral, is surrounded by
state forests and there are a number of camping
areas situated amidst open box woodland on the
foreshore of the reservoir. The park boasts
masses of wildflowers, Aboriginal rock art,
colourful bluffs and fine views. There are
walking tracks and picnic areas and bush camping
is permitted away from designated areas. It is
usually a good spot for boating, waterskiing,
sailing, swimming and fishing (for redfin and
trout). Most fish are obtained by boat but there
are many submerged logs so care is essential.
For further information relating to bushwalking,
maps or regulations concerning fishing, boating
and bush camping, contact Parks Victoria's
info-line (131 963) or the local office on (03)
5574 2308.
Rocklands Road heads east from Balmoral.
After about 13 km you will come to an
intersection which presents three possibilities:
(a) take the signposted right for Rocklands
Caravan and Camping Park (tel: 03 5570 1438) and
the dam wall where there is a boat ramp; (b)
proceed straight ahead along Cherrypool Road
(see next entry), or (c) turn left into East
Telangatuk Road (see subsequent entry).
Option B (Cherrypool Road) is a beautiful
scenic drive that heads east from the
intersection then veers north through Black
Range State Park. It is surfaced but not sealed,
although there are plans to seal the road in the
year 2000. 5 km along Cherrypool Road is a
turnoff on the right to Brodies Camping Area on
the foreshore of Rocklands Reservoir. It is
about another 7 km along Cherrypool Road to
Mountain Dam Camping Area which is also on the
reservoir foreshore. It has fireplaces, toilets,
a boat ramp and picnic facilities. About another
8 km along Cherrypool Road is a turnoff on the
left into Muirfoot Track (a 4WD vehicular track
which is closed to traffic from July to
September). About 5 km along (after passing
through a gate which you must close behind you),
on the left-hand side of the road, is the start
of a walking trail to Mt Byron. If, instead, you
proceed along Muirfoot Track for another 1.5 km
you can join another walking trail, on the
right-hand side of the road, which leads down to
Black Range Picnic Ground.
Alternatively, you can do this walk in
reverse by starting from Black Range Picnic
Ground. To get there continue along Cherrypool
Rd for about 5 km beyond the turnoff into
Muirfoot Track then turn left into Black Range
Rd. About 7 km along Black Range Rd turn left
into Rees Rd and it is about 2.5 km to the
picnic ground. You can undertake the walking
trail to the top of Black Range, from whence
there are excellent views, then continue south
along the range. Turn left into Muirfoot Track.
1.5 km along, on the right-hand side of the
road, is the start of a walking trail to Mount
Byron.
Eventually Cherrypool Road leads to
Cherrypool on the Henty Highway, 49 km south of
Horsham. If you head south along the highway for
14 km there is a turnoff on the right which
leads to Hynes camping area. It has powered
caravan sites, a toilet block, hot showers, an
electric barbecue and a boat ramp.
Option C (East Telangatuk Rd) heads north of
the intersection. After about 15 km it leads
past the turnoff (on the right) into Rees Road
which will take you (after about 12 km) to the
aforementioned Black Range Picnic Ground. If you
ignore this turnoff East Telangatuk Rd continues
north. After about another 8 km there is a
turnoff on the left to the Wash Tomorrow Caravan
Park (tel: 03 5388 2231) adjacent Toolondo
Reservoir which is considered excellent for
brown trout fishing.
Glendinning Camping Area and Claude Austin
State Park
Glendinning Camping Area lies to the south-east
of Balmoral. To get there follow Cavendish Road
south from Balmoral for about 6 km then turn
left into Yarramyljup Road (surfaced but
unsealed) or take the left onto the sealed road
13 km from Balmoral. Both lead to Glendinning
homestead (see subsequent entry) and the
Glendinning Camping Area on the reservoir's
southern foreshore. This campsite has a boat
ramp, fireplaces, toilets and picnic facilities.
About halfway along Yarramyljup Road there is
a turnoff into an earthen road which heads north
into Claude Austin State Forest. There are no
facilities but it is a scenic drive and there
are good birdwatching opportunities.
For information on Hynes, Fergusons and
Henrys camping areas see entry on Hamilton.
Visitors should be warned that recent drought
has affected water levels at Rocklands
Reservoir.
Glendinning Homestead
At the south-western edge of Rocklands Reservoir
is the Glendinning Homestead complex. It
features an 1850s shearing shed and the grand
Edwardian homestead itself which was built of
handmade bricks in 1909. There is a private
wildlife sanctuary and a fine garden on the
shores of the reservoir. The garden and scenery
can be viewed through the stained-glass windows
of the garden-court room. The tranquil complex
is open to the public for a fee between
September and May (by appointment only). It
offers accommodation in the old shearer's
quarters, tel: (03) 5574 3260.
To get there head south-east out of Balmoral
on the Cavendish Rd for 13 km then take the
signposted turnoff on the left and the homestead
is at its end.
Fulham Streamside Reserve
Fulham Streamside Reserve, bordering the Glenelg
River, is replete with native orchids in spring.
It is located north of town, along the road to
Horsham, about 12 km from Balmoral. The reserve
is named after the first pastoral property on
the site.
Mt Talbot Scenic Reserve
North-east of Toolondo, signposted off the
Toolondo-Wonwondah Rd, is Mount Talbot Scenic
Reserve. There is a walking track to the summit
from whence there are panoramic views. Mt Talbot
is considered an important Aboriginal site.
