Winchelsea, a relaxing pace
Winchelsea is an attractive rural town by the banks of the picturesque Barwon River, steeped in the rich history of Victoria's Western District.
More about Winchelsea
The Barwon River is framed by historic churches and a series of reserves, picnic and barbecue areas as it flows through the centre of Winchelsea. A heritage trail takes in the town’s older buildings and points of interest. Winchelsea’s industry still revolves around transport between Melbourne, Geelong and the western districts. People work predominately in agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, wholesale supplies and transport. An important historic building just north of Winchelsea is open to the public every Sunday and Wednesday (or by group bookings). Barwon Park Historic Homestead is classified by the National Trust and remains in its original condition. It is a living reminder of the wealth gathered by large stations that covered nearly all of the good grazing land in this part of Victoria during the first decades of the last century. There is a range of general stores, a historic hotel, replete with a display, and picnic grounds alongside the Barwon River. There are antique shops, tearooms, a bakery, a hospital and a hospice with an active community nursing service. There are tennis courts and a golf course just out of town on the road to Lorne. Lorne and the coast are 48 kilometres south of the town, just 40 minutes drive through the stunning Otways Ranges. It also is only 40 minutes to Torquay and 30 minutes drive to Colac. Lakes to the southeast of Winchelsea provide excellent fishing for trout and redfin. And there is a dahlia farm and rose gardens open to the public. The local flora and fauna can be seen on walks beside the Barwon River.
A brief history
Squatters occupied the area around Winchelsea in the 1830s and 1840s, settling the land under hardship. Hugh Murray and four friends, Lloyd, Anstey, Morris and Carter, claimed land between the Swanston station at Inverleigh and Lake Colac. The Austin Brothers claimed land around present day Winchelsea and Thomas Austin built the 42 room Barwon Park mansion, which was finished in 1871. He died just a few months after the completion of the Mansion and his wife Elizabeth gave much of her wealth away, establishing charitable institutions such as Melbourne’s Austin hospital. Thomas Austin also imported sheep breeds and rabbits among other animals from England in 1859. His rabbits are allegedly the ones that proceeded to spread across the continent and out-populate humans. Henry Hopkins, one of the first major wool importers in Van Diemens Land, secured land around Winchelsea and his family built the Wormbete Station and later a homestead which was occupied by Hopkins’ descendants until 1977. Bullock drawn trays required roads to be built from Geelong to the western districts. There was a natural ford across the river at Winchelsea with shelter, water and grass for animals. Two youths of 21 and 20 founded the township and built the first stores and the “Barwon Hotel” between 1842 and 1846. The town has produced some famous residents. Internationally renowned opera singer Marjorie Lawrence, born at Deans Marsh, was raised in Winchelsea. Her father built the town's Globe Theatre for her. Australia's first winner of the Victoria Cross, Albert Jacka, also was a Winchelsea resident.