Kyneton Near The Macedon Ranges

Kyneton Near The Macedon Ranges

               About 80 kilometers away from Melbourne is an old town where early English settlers converged and eventually built a community. It is near the Campaspe River which was an important tributary in those days. Prominent among these dwellers were pastoralists who had sheep farms in the area.  The town was already in existence when the gold rush began in 1851. 

               With the discovery of gold in nearby Castlemaine, Bendigo and Ballarat,  Kyneton became a stop over station for diggers and businessmen who wanted to take advantage of the economic boom at the time.  With the mining towns developing and progressing, Kyneton, too, benefited as the residents provided the needs of travelers passing through the town. Stores sprouted along the main roads and hotels made sure that acceptable board and lodging would be provided.

                Today, after more than 150 years, famous landmarks and structures are still there, well maintained and well preserved. Kyneton's residents are proud of their past, of their forefathers' struggles, of every citizen's participation in the shaping of the town as we see it today. Kyneton has a small population of about 6,000.

                 At the outskirts of the town, old oak trees stand near a reserve.  Some dry leaves are sprawled on the ground, some are blown away by the wind. Two seniors quietly sit on a brown wooden bench in front of an old community hall.  Across is a small gas station that can accommodate only one motor vehicle at a a time. Soon an Organ's coach arrives.  The old man with a Wild Trout hat hops in first, followed by the man in checkered shirt. Obviously, they are old timers of Kyneton.  And, from the looks of it, they are enjoying their stay as they sail into the sunset of their lives.

                                                  

- Konted

Road leading to Kyneton in Victoria

Old gas station as you approach the town of Kyneton

Visitors Information Center in Kyneton

Old Post Office built in 1843

Shamrock Hotel is located along Mollison Street.

Shamrock serves Bistro and bar meals.

Old glass panel wooden door.  There is a beer garden at the back of the hotel.

Shamrock bar  (shamrock ad)

The old Bank of New South Wales was built in 1856.  It now functions as a museum.

Australian bushranger Ned Kelly stayed for several days at the Newmarket Hotel under heavy guard.  He was taken to Kyneton to attend a court hearing.

In the publication business since 1862.

Council meetings are held here at the Shire Hall.

Country Cob is a multi-awarded bakery in the town of Kyneton. It serves cakes, pastries and Devonshire Teas.

High Street is one of the principal streets of Kyneton.

Serves Vanilla Slice.

Another coffee shop along High Street

Cooking done on a charcoal grill.  It  is a good way of eliminating toxins.

Antique items for sale

A memorial to WWI  heroes of Kyneton

Mechanics Institute built in 1858.

A coffee shop along Mollison Street

Typical houses in Kyneton

More interesting places to see

There is a station for Organ's Coaches in the town of Kyneton.

Kyneton Racecourse

Kyneton Golf Club