Yea

Overview

Yea is an attractive town set at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, with a wide main street featuring Claret Ash trees and beautiful buildings it is said that 'all roads lead to Yea'.

The rolling hills and open pastures are complimented by the sparkling streams and vibrant, natural environment beaconing the consummate film maker.

History

The area was occupied by the Woiwurung people before white settlement. The first settlers in the district were overlanders from New South Wales, who arrived in 1837. By 1839, settlements and farms dotted the area along the Goulburn River.

Gold was discovered in the area in 1859 and a number of smaller mining settlements came into existence at this time, including Molesworth. Yea expanded and grew as a town under the influx of hopeful prospectors, with the addition of several housing areas, an Anglican church (erected in 1869) and a population of 250 when it formally became a shire in 1873.

Yea was promoted as something of a tourist centre in the 1890s with trout being released into King Parrot Creek to attract recreational anglers. A Post Office was built in 1890, followed by a Grandstand and a Butter factory (now Cheese factory) in 1891.

Places of interest

The Yea Wetlands
Cheviot Tunnel
Horse Race Track
Beaufort Manor, The Old Butter Factory and other Historical Buildings
Rail Reserve
Several beautiful churches
Kerrisdale Mountain Railway
The Highlands area – Rolling hills, beautiful farms and bushland
Molesworth Church
The Goulburn River

Accommodation

For more information contact the friendly staff at the Yea Visitor Information Centre:

Address: Old Railway Building, Station Street, Yea.
Telephone: 03 5797 2663
Email: yvic@bigpond.com

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