Located on the Calder Highway, just one hour from Melbourne, Kyneton provides the Southern Gateway to Central Victoria. Kyneton is a thriving town which has a unique character - a blend of history and modern industry - with a gentle ambience. The town is involved primarily in agriculture and pastoral industries as well as wineries and timber and is an ideal centre from which to explore Victoria's history and its beautiful countryside.

Kyneton which is beautifully sited on the Campaspe River, was first explored by Europeans in 1836, discovered by Surveyor-General Major Thomas Mitchell who both the river and Mt Macedon.

Kyneton was settled in the two decades prior to the Goldrush when squatters took up large parcels of land around Carlsruhe, Barfold, Mt Macedon and Malmsbury. In 1837, the first sheep run north of the Great Dividing Range was established at Carlsruhe and Charles Ebden's run marked the beginning of the great grazing era which was to develop grazing runs on the rich lands around Kyneton.

The famous St Agnes property whose homestead is today a well-known landmark was one of the earliest Kyneton runs, but it was on Trio Station that the township of Kyneton was surveyed in 1849.

Kyneton was named after the English village of Kineton, Herefordshire, the settlement of slab huts and tents grew along Piper Street, but it was not until the heady days of the 1850s Goldrush that Kyneton really came into being.

Kyneton was situated on the most direct route from Melbourne to the Goldfields of Forest Creek (later to be known as Castlemaine) and Bendigo. Thousands of diggers passed through the town and Kyneton flourished providing the diggers with all manner of supplies.

In the nine months following the discovery of gold the population of the Kyneton had exploded from 300 to over 2000, and unlike a number of towns that declined after the gold boom, Kyneton which remained distant from the epicentre of goldrush fever continued to flourish.

Following the goldrush, Kyneton became Melbourne's market garden and with the opening of the Melbourne-Bendigo railway in 1862 Kyneton underwent rapid expansion through increased commercial activity.

Today Kyneton reflects many of the gracious aspects of early settlement, many of the blue stone cottages and other buildings from this era still stand and a walking tour of the township will reveal many beautiful buildings that have significant historical value as well as architectural charm. Kyneton also has attractions in the form of natural bushland areas, superb gardens, arts attractions, and a large number of special events.

Heritage Attractions

Kyneton provides a vital link to what was Victoria's most spectacular years, even when the gold fields dwindled Kyneton's market gardens and rural produce was eagerly absorbed by the expanding Melbourne markets and as a result a stable township grew.

Kyneton's good fortune created tremendous growth in the town and as a result many stately homes, numerous churches and public services were established. The location of the township close to a supply of bluestone meant that the stone could be quarried and used extensively in the building of many of the town's the impressive public and private buildings and today visitors to Kyneton will be able to enjoy a number of heritage sites and a range of beautiful historical buildings that provide links to Victoria's past.

Historic buildings both large and small abound in Kyneton and the Court House, Railway Station, Kyneton Hospital, the Primary School and a number of magnificent churches including St Mary, St Paul, St Andrew and the Baptists are just a few of Kyneton's many historical attractions.

One of the most interesting historical areas within Kyneton is the authentic period streetscape of Piper Street with its flagstone streets, tea rooms, restaurants, antique shops and gas street lamps. The Street was named by one of the early settlers William Piper in 1840 and at the time there were only six huts within the street.

The next two decades brought solid growth to the area until Mollison Street was developed as the town's centre. Piper Street fell into disuse but fortunately its historical value was recognised and the whole of the area has been revitalised. This charming street area is now the subject of a Shire Council conservation policy and is of great historical value and interest.

The award winning Kyneton Museum, originally the 1855 Bank of New South Wales, is located in Piper Street, as is perhaps Kyneton's most significant building the large steam driven flour mill. Built in 1862 the mill was bought by Mr G.W. Willis, flour miller and grain merchant in 1887. The mill operated until 1956 and is still owned by the Willis Family.

Many of Kyneton's historic private residences are also worth visiting, many are classified by the National Trust and range from charming cottages to grand mansions with magnificent gardens while other goldrush legacies including the 1861 Club Hotel should not be missed.

Natural Attractions

Kyneton has a range of natural bushland areas, beautiful private gardens and picturesque streetscapes lined with beautiful gardens and well established trees. The town is characterised by century old great shady trees, quiet country lanes and masses of flower beds which give it an English country feel.

Ideal for walks and picnics, the Kyneton Botanical Gardens are one of the township's main attractions boasting a significant collection of trees from all over the world as well as beautiful grass areas, formal garden beds and a beautiful rose garden. The Gardens were first landscaped in 1866 and contain many original species supplied by Dr. Ferdinand von Mueller including great Cork Oaks, and a 20m high Chilean Wine Palm. One of the most magnificent trees in the Garden is a 30m high Algerian Oak planted in 1863 in honour of Queen Victoria, the Gardens also have a number of spectacular Giant Redwood and Californian Redwood trees.

Bleak House Rose Nursery and Gardens set around a historical Bluestone house are renowned for their Old Fashioned Roses. The Gardens also have a variety of bulbs and perennials and feature a tea room and gift shop.

Drummond Cottage Maze Gardens, 10km past Kyneton have a wonderful selection of maze gardens including the unique Australian Maze and the Great Maze. The Maze Gardens also display examples of cottage gardens, children's gardens and gardens featuring birds and other animals. While at the Maze visitors can enjoy a range of local and imported crafts as well as meals and refreshments.

Outside of the immediate township of Kyneton there are a wider range of attractions to explore including wineries which specialise in distinctive cool-climate reds and whites and velvety green pastures where visitors can tour mixed farming properties and enjoy horse riding. Within 2km of Kyneton visitors will find refreshing mineral springs secluded among magnificent trees and a classic period rotunda that invite picnics and gentle walks.

Arts

Kyneton has a number of arts attractions ranging from working studios to a range of galleries and interesting arts and crafts stores. Emu Creek Pottery has a collection of fine domestic stoneware as well as a large number of decorative pieces fired in both wood and gas kiln ovens.

The Campaspe Gallery is located in a renovated 1865 built hotel. The Gallery features a number of works by Gayle Russell and other local artists and has a focus on Australian wildlife, landscape and seascape art.

The Gallery Carlsruhe is located within a Railway Station house which has been relocated to a beautiful 40 acre rambling garden part of the Daffodil Museum. This unique fine art and craft Gallery has an unusual refreshments area and visitors can literally spend hours enjoying the works and exploring the Gardens.

Meskills Woolstore is a wool spinning mill located in historic Piper Street. The Woolstore holds an extensive range of beautiful hand knitted garments for sale as well as knitting yarns. Tours of the mill are available on arrangement.

Events

Kyneton calls itself the Festival Shire and true to name the township holds a great number of celebrations throughout the year. Spring marks the beginning of festival time and the start of a range of festivities held over seven months. The festivals cover a wide range of attractions including horticulture, agriculture, sport, cultural events and fun family celebrations.

For two weeks each September Kyneton is transformed into a Spring carnival celebrating the Daffodil and Arts Festival. The Golden Mile, a huge area of daffodils on the Bendigo side of Kyneton are in full bloom and the town celebrates with open gardens, street parades and a variety of entertainments and competitions. Historic, cultural, winery and garden tours are only a few of the activities scheduled for this event held at the beginning of September each year while mid September sees the opening of the Spring Flower show, the largest of its kind in Victoria.

Other events on Kyneton's calendar include huge Australia Day celebrations, the Kyneton Horticultural Autumn Flower Show held in March/April , an Antique Fair held throughout Easter and a Heritage Festival held in April each year. The Kyneton Agricultural Show begins in November and on the day following the Melbourne Cup (the first Tuesday in November) Kyneton holds the Kyneton Cup at the beautiful Kyneton Racecourse by the Campaspe River.

Kyneton also hosts a number of different market days, each Sunday of the month marks the date for a particular market in a number of different venues.

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