Alexandra

Overview

Alexandra is rich in history and beauty, located on a green belt of parks that flow through the township along the banks of the Ultima Thule Creek. The town centre of Alexandra features diverse buildings dating back to the 1850s when gold was discovered and mined in the area, and stand as a monument to time gone by.

Alexandra is a jewel, offering a unique cultural experience alongside an artistic community well equipped and prepared for filming. 

History

The town of Alexandra takes its name from Alexandra, the Princess of Wales, the wife of King Edward VII. This replaced the original name, Red Gate, which was first used when the area was settled by gold miners who were trying to win their fortunes from the Red Gate Diggings.

This area of Victoria was explored by Hume and Hovell in 1824 as they made their way from the Murray River to Corio Bay. At the time it was inhabited by members of the Taungurong Aboriginal group. There was some settlement in the 1830s and 1840s but the area grew overnight when gold was discovered. 

The town was surveyed in 1867, the shire was formed in 1869, the gold diggings had spread over nearly 90 square kilometres by the mid-1870s and by 1884 the whole area was deserted. But the town did survive. The railway arrived in 1909 and, in spite of the collapse of the gold industry, the agriculture sustained the town as important service centre for timber and mixed farming.

Places of interest

Alexandra Timber Tramway – Working Steam Trains
Working Timber Mills
Horse Racing Track
Anglican Church – Leadlight, beautiful building
Historical buildings – Town Hall, The Standard building
Goulburn River
Scenic lookouts, picturesque view, mountains

Accommodation

For more information contact the friendly staff at the Alexandra and Murrindindi Regional Information Centre:

Address: 45A Grant Street, Alexandra.
Telephone toll free: 1800 652 298
Telephone: 03 5721 1000
Facsimilie: 03 5772 1100
Email: alexandra@murrindindimagic.com.au

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