Where:

Buninyong,

Victoria, Australia

10 minutes drive from Ballarat

Last Visited:

July 2006

Why Go:

Historic well preserved town about 10km south of Ballarat, important in Victoria's goldfield history.

Highlights:

• The town has some great old buildings. A book describing a self-guided walking tour of the town is available from the Information Centre or the bookshop next door.
• The botanic Gardens are said to be the oldest in Australia.
• You can hike up or drive to the top of nearby Mount Buninyong for great views of the surrounding countryside.
• Visit the lush Union Jack Reserve, 72 Hectares and home of a diverse variety of flora and fauna.
• There are some wineries nearby

Lowlights:

• This part of Victoria is notoriously always a few degrees colder than elsewhere in Victoria, so pack your woollies especially if visiting in winter..

Eating & Drinking:

• The Royal Hotel is good for a drink and lunch meal, food is cheaper in the front bar but you have to put up with the smokers too.
• The bakery has some great treats for a cold winter's day
• There is a general store to purchase any basics

Other things you should know about:

• Buninyong was settled in 1838 and was one of Victoria's first inland towns.
• Buninyong is an aboriginal word meaning "man lying down" which describes how the Mt Buninyong looks like the bent knee of a person lying down.
• In 1857, Buninyong was the first place that gold was discovered in Victoria, which consequently started the gold rush in the 1800s.

More information:

• see photos from Buninyong