Woodend by Nickuss

Woodend Vic 3442 (Pop 3 500)

Woodend is a prosperous Macedon Ranges service town located 74 km n-w of Melbourne. It was so named as this was the area where the Black Forest ended and therefore provided safety from bushrangers in the goldming days of 1850s & 60s. The town has a number of historic buildings and pretty gardens and its proximity to Hanging Rock and Mt Macedon make it a popular tourist destination. Woodend markets 3^rd Sun each month (Oct-May). Macedon Ranges Budburst Festival (Oct), Woodend Village Festival (Dec).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Clock Tower, Calder Hwy WWI memorial. Woodend Bridge (north) (1862) single-span bluestone bridge over Five Mile Creek. Historic Woodend includes St Mary’s Anglican Church (1864), Court House (1870). Recreational Areas include Campaspe Park (adjacent Five Mile Creek Bridge), Ruby Mackenzie Reserve (Tennyson St), Newell Reserve (Christian St), Rotary Park (Calder Hwy).

Nearby:
Hanging Rock Reserve (8 km n-e) huge lava formation and popular recreational spot since 19^th century. Made famous by the book and film, Picnic at Hanging Rock set in 1930s & 40s, it is surrounded by a beautiful reserve with over 100 flora species, 40 bird species & numerous fauna varieties. Open (8am-6pm) daily. Macedon Regional Park (east) includes Camel's Hump (5 km n-w) isolated lava mass (1 010 m) and popular with abseilers, several picnic areas (McGregor, Cameron, Harrison), lookouts (Western, Eastern, Major Mitchell with views over Port Phillip Bay, the You Yangs & the Dandenongs) and the Memorial Cross,  a 21 metre WWI memorial cairn. The park is home to many flora varieties, with a prolific birdlife, wallabies and wombats. Lancefield (25 km n-e) several historic buildings, wineries and a good local produce market (4^th Sun each month).

Accommodation:
Woodend has a hotel, guesthouse and holiday cottage. Visitor Information Centre: High St, Woodend. Tel (03) 5427 2033 or 1800 244 711.