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Home>About the Shire>Clunes
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| The Djadja Wurrung people were the first inhabitants of Clunes and these people occupied most of central Victoria.
The discovery of gold in a Clunes creek in 1851 heralded the official beginning of the Goldrush in Victoria, and Clunes soon became the fifth largest town in the colony.
Nestled in a picturesque valley, the town's robust history of gold has bequeathed a richness of colonial architecture set amid well planned streets.
One could be forgiven for thinking that this glorious town has been cocooned in a time warp where these magnificent gold rush features and wide verandahs retain the illusion of yesteryear.
It is little wonder then that this streetscape and surrounds have been the location for many films, television and advertising productions including more recently the feature film Ned Kelly.
Clunes is also home to Wesley College, Melbourne, Year 9 students and each term, over 100 Wesley students take up residency in the 'Wesley Village', located in the town centre, and become part of the local community.
The Main Street, Town Hall/Court House have become tourist icons and as with other key locations in the Hepburn Shire, Clunes has also taken on new forms of tourism-based development with the expansion of guesthouse and bed and breakfast accommodation, fine dining, wineries and tourist attractions.
Community facilities include the Town Hall, Library, Kindergarten, Primary School, Senior Citizens Centre, Community House, Visitor Information Centre, Museums, Caravan Park, Fire Brigade, Health Service, Churches, Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Collins Place Town Square, the Bottle Museum and Neighbourhood House.
The Clunes Bottle Museum which has 6000 rare and unusual bottles dating back to the early goldrush era, also functions as the Visitor Information Centre.
Sporting groups and facilities include a swimming pool, ovals, petanque piste, netball/basketball courts, tennis and badminton courts as well as a golf course.
Clunes is a member of the Sister City Association and has united with Coloma El Doredo Country in the United States, the site of the discovery of gold in California and regular exchanges take place.
The Clunes Tourist & Development Association(CTDA) is one of the very active associations in Clunes and other clubs and organisations are available for residents including youth.
Walking paths now lead along the banks of Creswick's Creek and a fine view of the town can be obtained from `the Rocks' on the Scenic Road.
A feature on the second Sunday each month is the Clunes Market held amidst the town’s historic buildings
Mount Beckworth State Park, 7 km south-west from Clunes is noted for its many birds and spring-time wildflowers and is an ideal spot for picnicking and bushwalks.
With Ballarat only 20 minutes away, Clunes is now attracting a "new rush" of people who wish to live within this rural community and easily commute.
For more information on Clunes, please contact The Hepburn Shire Council or visit any of the below links:
The Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre ,
Clunes.org The Clunes Connection,
Around and About Clunes
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