Court House Hotel

Bacchus Marsh Vic 3340 (Pop 13 500)
Pic: by Mattinbgn

Bacchus Marsh is an historic and attractive Macedon Ranges town 58 km n-w of Melbourne. Scenically located by the Werribee & Lerderderg Rivers, it has in recent years become a commuter satellite for the capital. Original inhabitants were the Kurung Aborigines with white settlement beginning in 1836. Named after Cpt William Bacchus, the Marsh was added due to the marshlands originally found here. Main industries today include dairying, orchards, mixed farming & coal mining. Bacchus Marsh Show (Oct), Cup Day in the Park (Nov). 
 
Tourist Attractions & Info:
Avenue of Honour (east) considered the world’s finest elm avenue planted to honour locals who served in WW1. Historic Bacchus Marsh features The Manor (1840), Border Inn (1850), the Courthouse (1858), Mechanic’s Institute (1858), St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (1865), Blacksmith’s Forge (1877) and Cottage (1850), Holy Trinity Church of England (1877), Chicory Kiln (1885).  Express Building Art Gallery, Gisborne Rd. Maddingley Open-Cut Coal Mine, East Maddingley Rd to view the 280 ha mine.

Nearby:
Werribee Gorge State Park (10 km w) This 443 ha park contains a stunning steep-sided gorge formed by the Werribee River and lava flows. The name is an Aboriginal word for ‘swimming place’ or ‘backbone’ most likely referring to the river’s meandering path. Scenic walks include the Ingliston Gorge Walk (2.5 hours) & Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk (4 hours). Abseiling is allowed at Falcons Lookout. Long Forest Flora Reserve (2 km n-e) protects the only naturally occurring mallee scrubland south of the Great Diving Range with some excellent bushwalks. Mallee species include bull, blue box, grey box and yellow gum. Kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, possums and a prolific birdlife are also found here. Merrimu Reservoir (10 km n-e) pretty recreational area and surrounding area water supply. Lerderderg State Park (10 km n) 14,000 ha park surrounding the rugged 300m Lerderderg Gorge. Excellent bushwalking, trout fishing, swimming, diverse flora and goldming relics. Brisbane Ranges NP (16 km s-w) pleasant woodlands, bushwalking, camping and the stunning Anakie Gorge.

Accommodation:
Bacchus Marsh has a motel, 5 hotels, a holiday cottage, a farm stay, holiday apartments and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Council offices, 197 Main St. Tel (03) 5366 7100.