St Arnaud Memorial

St Arnaud Vic 3478 (Pop 2 500)

St Arnaud is an important Grampians rural service centre surrounded by a farming, wool, grain and vineyard district. Located 246 km n-w of Melbourne, this former goldmining town is noted for its well preserved historic buildings many with ornate cast-iron lacework and its handsome streetscapes. Original inhabitants were the Wungaragira Gundidj Aborigines with European settlement beginning in 1840s. Named after a French war hero, when the town’s gold resources diminished, its role as an important agricultural service town was established and has grown ever since. St Arnaud markets 2nd Sun each month. Agricultural Show (Oct), Festival of St Arnaud (Nov). 

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Art Gallery, Napier St excellent works by local artists. Queen Mary Gardens, Napier St (1860s) many exotic tree species, ornamental lake & memorial gates. Historic St Arnaud a number of the town’s many historic buildings are located on Napier St - old Post Office (1866), Courthouse (1866), old Town Hall (1869) former Crown Lands Office (now the Visitors Centre) (1876), St Arnaud Hotel (1876) Fire Station (1883) (Victoria’s oldest fire station), Commonwealth Hotel (1902). Additionally there is the police lock-up (1862), Anglican Church (1864), Mrs Love’s Cottage (1868) (town’s oldest surviving house), Royal Hotel (1873), Flour Mill (1875), old Railway Station (1878), Botanical Hotel (1900).

Nearby:
Tottington Woolshed (24 km s-w) National Trust-listed (c.1840) with nearby homestead (c.1860) and stone outbuildings in a scenic bush setting. Stuart Mill (23 km south) a former goldmining town with historic buildings, churches & an old mud ‘oven. St Arnaud Range NP (15 km south) this 13 900 ha park encompasses the former Kara Kara and much of the St Arnaud Range State Forests. Made up of rocky ridges, steep forests and the Teddington Reservoirs ideal for fishing. The rugged terrain offers seasoned bushwalkers & 4WD enthusiasts many challenging opportunities. The park has over 270 native flora species including the largest intact Box-Ironbark growths in the area. Good camping facilities and recreational fossicking.

Accommodation:
St Arnaud has 4 hotels, a dozen hotels, a B&B and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Old Post Office, 2 Napier St. Tel (03) 5495 2313.