Kyneton by Richard Hill

Kyneton Vic 3444 (Pop 6 000)

Kyneton is an attractive rural centre on the Campaspe River 87 km n-w of Melbourne. It is known for its well preserved historic bluestone buildings and for a time, was the home of Caroline Chisholm, the famous 19^th century humanitarian. Original inhabitants were the Thagungwurung Aborigines with European settlement beginning in 1840s. Neaby gold discoveries and the railway helped boost Kyneton's economy which today relies on its servicing of the surrounding district together with a small manufacturing sector. Country Music Festival (Feb), Kyneton Horticultural Show (Mar), Literature Festival (Apr), Daffodil & Arts Festival (Sept), Kyneton Cup (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Kyneton Historical Museum, Piper St fascinating look at bygone days with pioneer farm machinery, historic displays & memorabilia, outbuildings (stable, buggy house, farm kitchen) and Theaden Homestead (c.1840). The museum is housed within the beautiful bluestone old Bank of NSW (1856), Victoria’s oldest bank building. Open (11am-4pm) Fri-Sun. Botanic Gardens, Clowes St established 1860s and covering 8 ha of magnificent trees, shrubs & flowers. Historic Kyneton includes former Anglican rectory (1850), St Paul’s Anglican Church (1856), Court House (1856), St Andrew's Uniting Church (1857), St Mary's Catholic Church (1857), Club Hotel (1861), Post Office (1871), ‘Eli Meek’ (1890), Arts Centre (1898). River Walk along the Campaspe River to the historic racecourse (1867).

Nearby:
Kyneton Mineral Spring Reserve (2 km west) good recreational facilities, water pump & charming rotunda. Trentham (22 km s-w) pretty historic goldmining and timber town with nearby Wombat State Forest home to Trentham Falls, Victoria’s largest single drop waterfall (32 m). Malmsbury (10 km n-w) interesting town of numerous historic bluestone buildings, botanic gardens & several wineries. Reservoirs include Upper Coliban, Lauriston & Malmsbury all close by. Blackhill Reserve (3 km north) a scenic natural bushland recreation area. Carlsruhe (6 km s-e) the area’s first township named after a city in Germany. A number of interesting historic buildings include Degraves Mill (1856).

Accommodation:
Kyneton has a couple of motels, hotels, a resort, 3 B&Bs and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Jean Hynes Playground, High St. Tel (03) 5422 6110.