WALHALLA, VICTORIA
Walhalla is a small town in Victoria, Australia, founded as a gold-mining community in late 1862 and at its peak home to around 4,000 residents. Today, the town has a population of 20 permanent residents, though it has a large proportion of houses owned as holiday propertie
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Walhalla is a picturesque village, located north of Moe and Traralgon. Nestled in a steep sided valley at the southern edge of the Victorian Alps, the town is surrounded by a national park, lush forests and fern gullies.
During the gold rush of the 1860s, Walhalla was one of Australia's richest towns and a mecca for thousands of gold seekers. While the town is now home to only a handful of permanent residents, tourism has taken over and Walhalla receives around 100,000 visitors each year. Those taking the scenic drive to Walhalla can step back in time to visit this beautifully preserved village full of heritage buildings including old hotels, shops, school and churches.
The town centre features a pub, cafes, corner store, gift store and museum. There are plenty of options for accommodation, ranging from B&Bs and hotels, to basic rooms.
Walhalla is storybook magical in autumn, thanks to the colourful deciduous trees that line the town's streets and the random scatterings of wildflowers.
Visitors can experience the town's gold mining heritage with a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine accessing Cohens Reef - a three kilometre vein of gold running through the town.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway runs from Walhalla through Stringers Creek Gorge to Thomson Station, operating three days per week. Walhalla also has an eerier side, which can be experienced on a ghost tour to the old cemetery on the hill.
Located on the edge of forested national park, Walhalla is also a popular base for camping, fishing, bushwalking and four wheel driving. The snow fields of Mount Baw Baw and Mount St Gwinear are both within a comfortable drive of Walhalla.
During the gold rush of the 1860s, Walhalla was one of Australia's richest towns and a mecca for thousands of gold seekers. While the town is now home to only a handful of permanent residents, tourism has taken over and Walhalla receives around 100,000 visitors each year. Those taking the scenic drive to Walhalla can step back in time to visit this beautifully preserved village full of heritage buildings including old hotels, shops, school and churches.
The town centre features a pub, cafes, corner store, gift store and museum. There are plenty of options for accommodation, ranging from B&Bs and hotels, to basic rooms.
Walhalla is storybook magical in autumn, thanks to the colourful deciduous trees that line the town's streets and the random scatterings of wildflowers.
Visitors can experience the town's gold mining heritage with a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine accessing Cohens Reef - a three kilometre vein of gold running through the town.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway runs from Walhalla through Stringers Creek Gorge to Thomson Station, operating three days per week. Walhalla also has an eerier side, which can be experienced on a ghost tour to the old cemetery on the hill.
Located on the edge of forested national park, Walhalla is also a popular base for camping, fishing, bushwalking and four wheel driving. The snow fields of Mount Baw Baw and Mount St Gwinear are both within a comfortable drive of Walhalla.
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In 1865 the Mechanic's Institute site was purchased by public subscription for £80 from Edward Nelson, a miner. The building was opened following a tea meeting on May 6th, 1867 and provided the town with a place to meet, worship and educate. It was used by all denominations until each could construct its own church. The building was used as the town's first school, with classes being held there from 1867 until the State School was officially opened in 1875.
In 1883 the Mechanics' Institute, under Harry Tisdall's chairmanship, had 78 members, a library of 556 books and 150 more on order. This valuable resource made a significant contribution to adult and technical education in the town. These and many historical documents relating to the town's early history were lost when the building was destroyed in the major fire of 1888. After the fire rebuilding commenced almost immediately.
The new building survived the decline of the town but was again destroyed by a fire in 1945 ... the Mechanic's Institute was again rebuilt between 1983 and 1988 by a group of local volunteers and interested trades people.
In 1883 the Mechanics' Institute, under Harry Tisdall's chairmanship, had 78 members, a library of 556 books and 150 more on order. This valuable resource made a significant contribution to adult and technical education in the town. These and many historical documents relating to the town's early history were lost when the building was destroyed in the major fire of 1888. After the fire rebuilding commenced almost immediately.
The new building survived the decline of the town but was again destroyed by a fire in 1945 ... the Mechanic's Institute was again rebuilt between 1983 and 1988 by a group of local volunteers and interested trades people.
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A branch of the Bank of Victoria was established in Walhalla around June 1865 with Mr D. B. Liddell as its manager. With Long Tunnel, Walhalla and Golden Fleece mines amongst its customers, it was the larger of the Walhalla's banks. [The Bank of Australasia, which was located almost directly over the road, also serviced Walhalla.]
In March 1868 the Bank of Victoria purchased the present site, and by July, Andrew Lundy had commenced construction.
The building was destroyed in the major town fire of November 1888. Until a new building could be constructed, business was conducted in premises adjoining Catherine Perry's Grand Junction Hotel.
The new premises boasted a more ornate facade and features such as a substantial vault and commodious living quarters for its manager and his family. During its operation the bank vault stored a total of approximately 73 tons [74 tonnes] of gold. The shutdown of Walhalla's mines saw the Bank of Victoria finally close in 1915.
In March 1868 the Bank of Victoria purchased the present site, and by July, Andrew Lundy had commenced construction.
The building was destroyed in the major town fire of November 1888. Until a new building could be constructed, business was conducted in premises adjoining Catherine Perry's Grand Junction Hotel.
The new premises boasted a more ornate facade and features such as a substantial vault and commodious living quarters for its manager and his family. During its operation the bank vault stored a total of approximately 73 tons [74 tonnes] of gold. The shutdown of Walhalla's mines saw the Bank of Victoria finally close in 1915.
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The Junction Hotel was built in late 1865 by John F. Williams. In 1872 the hotel was renamed the Grand Junction by its new owner William Fuller. It became Walhalla's only 3 storey hotel. A cow once entered the top storey entrance, off Church Hill Road. It had to be led out the front door! The hotel was de-licenced in December 1913. After a short spell as a boarding house it was dismantled and part of it removed to Traralgon. The large stone retaining wall, behind the hotel and remaining today, was built by John Rutter in 1869.
Walhalla Fire Station
The Walhalla Volunteer Fire Brigade was originally formed in July 1871. It was registered much later, on March 11, 1889. Mr F. Bowden was appointed Captain. The original Fire Station was located in the Long Tunnel Mine yard. In 1901 Mr P. Carey won the contract to construct this building at a cost of £155. The building was built straddling the creek due to the lack of suitable flat ground in the town centre. The Walhalla Fire Brigade was de-registered in 1961. Over the years this building has been utilised for many uses including a public hall and a museum. It is known as the most unusual Fire Station in the state and has been fully restored in recent years.
Walhalla Fire Station
The Walhalla Volunteer Fire Brigade was originally formed in July 1871. It was registered much later, on March 11, 1889. Mr F. Bowden was appointed Captain. The original Fire Station was located in the Long Tunnel Mine yard. In 1901 Mr P. Carey won the contract to construct this building at a cost of £155. The building was built straddling the creek due to the lack of suitable flat ground in the town centre. The Walhalla Fire Brigade was de-registered in 1961. Over the years this building has been utilised for many uses including a public hall and a museum. It is known as the most unusual Fire Station in the state and has been fully restored in recent years.
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