Kinglake

Overview

Kinglake is a small and elevated settlement spread across the top of a range in the Great Dividing Range. The township takes in magnificent views over Melbourne and is only an hours drive from the CBD. Since the February 09 bushfires the landscape has changed significantly. 

There is still magical bushland although most of the National Park was destroyed, the contrasting green on black is a sight to be seen. With is rolling hills and farming country Kinglake is an ideal location that is in close proximity to Melbourne.

History

David Moore found the first gold in gullies above Mount Slide on Mountain Creek to the east of Kinglake and quickly after Moore's Mountain rush diggings opened on creeks numbered 1-5 which were rich in gold. 1868-70 saw a gold rush at Nuggetty Gully where hundreds of Chinese immigrants were said to have worked.
 
The Whittlesea area was closed to logging in 1871 due to the silting of the Yan Yean Reservoir, so the timber cutters turned their attention to the Kinglake area. Sawmills were set up and timber Tramways built for the bringing out of logs. The timber was of high quality and as well as supplying firewood to Melbourne it was cut for building materials, packing cases, veneers and poles.

By 1876 the families at the eastern end of the district decided that a school was needed and their signed application was under the name 'Mountain Rush'. According to newspaper reports at the time the name was suggested by John Lindsay Beale, one of the earliest settlers, who was to become an Eltham Shire Councillor and also Shire President. The name was chosen in honour of the eminent British Historian and writer of the time Alexander William Kinglake whose eight volume history of the Crimean War had recently been published and praised.

Places of interest

Kinglake National Park – in rejuvenation stage after fires
House of Bottles
Valley of powerlines
Toolangi Discovery Centre – An interesting timber building
Toolangi Tavern
Hume & Hovel Cricket Ground
Flowerdale Estate
Strath Creek Pub – Iconic
Strath Valley Views – retreat for the rich and famous

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
Facsimile: 03 5772 1100
Email: alexandra@murrindindimagic.com.au

Back to Regional Tour list