Historical Australian Towns

Portarlington, VIC: Historic Coastal Town on The Bellarine Peninsula

2026-09-28T02:44:42.417-07:00

Portarlington, Victoria, is a town located on the Bellarine Peninsula, 28 km from the city of Geelong.

The town was either named after Sir Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, an English politician in the 17th century. Or, due to the many early Irish settlers in the area, the town was named after the town in Ireland of the same name (founded by Sir Henry Bennet in 1666).

The Wathaurong People ( Barrabool)

The Wadawurrung, also called the Wathaurong, or Wathaurung, are an Aboriginal Australian people living in the area near Melbourne, Geelong, and the Bellarine Peninsula in the state of Victoria.

The Life and Adventures of William Buckley: Thirty-two Years a Wanderer ...
by John Morgan, 1852, p. 88. Here

1857 photo of the Wathaurong tribe, VIC

Shell middens can be found in many areas along the Victorian coast.

1800s

The British first explored Portarlington in January 1802, when Lieutenant John Murray commander of the HMS Lady Nelson, entered Port Phillip Bay and spent three weeks mapping and exploring the area. (read: Paul, Lorraine (1982); First lady : the story of HMS Lady Nelson, Neptune Press.)

Portrait of Captain John Murray, Royal Navy, ca. 1804, attributed to Hubnor, oil painting, State Library of New South Wales

Matthew Flinders RN (1774-1814) of HMS Investigator and crew camped 6 km to the south-east of Portarlington on the 29th April & 1st May, 1802, and he named this coast Indented Head. (Flinders named Australia, derived from the Latin australis, meaning 'southern', and specifically from the hypothetical Terra Australis).

Excerpt from Flinders' diary:

FRIDAY 30 APRIL 1802

In the morning a fire was perceived two hundred yards from the tent; and the Indians appeared to have decamped from thence on our landing. Whilst I was taking angles from a low point at the north-easternmost part of Indented Head, a party of the inhabitants showed themselves about a mile from us; and on landing there we found a hut with a fire in it, but the people had disappeared, and carried off their effects. I left some strips of cloth, of their favourite red colour, hanging about the hut, and proceeded westward along the shore to examine the arm of the port running in that direction.

Three natives having made their appearance abreast of the boat, we again landed. They came to us without hesitation, received a shag and some trifling presents with pleasure, and parted with such of their arms as we wished to possess without reluctance. They afterwards followed us along the shore; and when I shot another bird, which hovered over the boat, and held it up to them, they ran down to the water-side and received it without expressing either surprise or distrust. Their knowledge of the effect of fire-arms I then attributed to their having seen me shoot birds when unconscious of being observed; but it had probably been learned from Mr. Murray.

At noon I landed to take an observation of the sun, which gave 38° 7' 6" for the latitude; my position being nearly at the northern extremity of Indented Head. Some bearings were taken from the brow of a hill a little way back; and after a dinner of which the natives partook, we left them on friendly terms to proceed westward in our examination.

Australia circumnavigated : the voyage of Matthew Flinders in HMS Investigator, 1801-1803. Read here. A Voyage to Terra Australis — Volume 1" by Matthew Flinders, read here

In February 1803, the Surveyor-General Charles Grimes ship, the Cumberland, stopped at Portarlington with an expedition and spent several days exploring the Bay coastline to Point Cook.

Friday, 18th, 1803.-Anchor up at sunrise; came opposite the place we slept on the 12th inst. As we went out of the boat eleven natives met us; they were very civil. I gave one of them a biscuit; he looked at it; I took it again, eat of it when he did the same; whatever we said they said it after us. There was one who appeared to be their chief. They handed us their spears to look at; one of them was barbed and one with two prongs. They followed us as we went on, and Mr. Grimes seemed much frightened and hailed the boat to follow us; when the boat came up we went on board. I made signs for them to come into the boat, but they would not venture. Two of them appeared to be marked with the smallpox.50 After dinner we went onshore with an additional guard; they all met us again. Gave them some fish, a tomahawk, and an old hat; they put our hands to their breast, and looked into my haversack. The boat loitered behind us, and the sailors said that they took the lead-line and a hoe out of the boat, and some fish; got the line again but not the hoe. (2.)

A painted portrait of Matthew Flinders painted by Toussaint de Chazal on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia Steve Reynolds

The convict William Buckley who escaped in 1803, lived around the area with the Wathaurong people for 32 years. (Read: 'The Life and Adventures of William Buckley: Thirty-two Years a Wanderer ...by John Morgan. 1852. Here. Or, 'Old Tales of a Young Country by Clarke, Marcus Andrew Hislop, 1846-1881, p 37. Here). A year's history of the settlement of Port Phillip in 1836

Here

1830s

On 29 May 1835, John Batman anchored near Indented Head, before negotiating his 'land treaty' with the local Aboriginal people.

Batman left Launceston on May 10, 1835,
and went ashore at Indented Head, close
to Portarlington, on May 29, where he
stationed, with stores for settlement, three
white men and five (A)borigines from New
South Wales. (1.)

Also in 1835, Buckley surrendered to John Helder Wedge and was later pardoned by Lieutenant-Governor Sir George Arthur, and was later given the position of interpreter of (A)boriginal people.

John Helder Wedge's exploration and mapping of the Port Phillip District, including Portarlington, found rich soil in the region. Grimes passed Portarlington again and named the countryside 'Ballarine'.

In August 1835, the schooner Enterprize landed Melbourne's first European settlers on the north bank of the Yarra River. Wedge and the Batman abandoned Bellarine and Indented Head and followed them there.

When the holdings of the Port Phillip Association were allocated, the Bellarine Peninsula was allotted to the member, John Sinclair.

When Sinclair came to Port Phillip in February 1837, and attempted to visit his property, he was injured. His two companions, Joseph Gellibrand and George Hesse, continued the journey without him, but disappeared, and no trace of them was ever found.

Bent's News and Tasmanian Three-Penny Register (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1836 - 1837), Saturday 22 April 1837

Sinclair made no made no further effort to take up the land.

Listen: When hunter-gatherers collide with modernity

1840s

By 1839 the Port Phillip Association was bought out by the Derwent Company, and a number of runs on the Bellarine Peninsula and Indented Head were sold to squatters, before folding in 1842.

Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), Thursday 16 June 1842

One of the earliest known European settlers in Portarlington was Henry Baynton.

North-west of Hamilton, eight miles or so, was Nigretta which was established in 1841 by Henry Baynton, a Hobart Town butcher, who in 1839, established a cattle shipping service from Tasmania to Portarlington, where he had a station named Westham. (3.)

Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1840 - 1845), Thursday 7 March 1844

Other squatters owning property around the Portarlington area in the 1840s include William Booth, James Conway Langdon, and William Harding.

In 1848 land regulations were introduced, to subdivide the squatters' runs into smaller allotments. Soon, the era of the squatters would be over in the region.

1850s

Portarlington was formally surveyed about 1850 and named Drayton. It was renamed Portarlington in 1851 and English elms and pines were planted.

The first land sale in Indented Head occurred in 1851.

The Bellarine Peninsula was known as 'the granary of the colony’ and Portarlington became important in the wheat industry.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 25 October 1851

A steam-powered flour mill opened in 1857.

Portarlington Mill , Portarlington, VIC, built 1857

Portarlington became an important shipping port in the 1850s. The original pier was built in 1858.

In 1858, local farmers banded together and formed the Portarlington Farmers Association.

The Portarlington Pier was built in 1859, after a petition from local farmers demanding access to a public jetty,

Horse racing began at Portarlington in 1859 on a track near the mill.

1860s

In the early years of the colony, ships and paddle-streamers were often the only mode of transport between Melbourne and the developing coastal towns.

In the 1860s, Portarlington developed rapidly, after the steam-powered flour mill opened in 1857, which facilitated grain shipments and flour production.

A postal service was established in the 1860s contributing to Portarlington's growth by improving communication and connection with other towns, to facilitated trade and the movement of people. (post office opened in 1863)

By 1865, the population of Portarlington had passed 200.

Before 1857, Wesleyan services were held in private homes and then at the Portarlington Mill. On 19th March 1866 the foundation stone was laid by the Rev William Jennings Superintendent of the Drysdale circuit.

The first vessel, the Petrel, made a direct run from Portarlington to Melbourne's Hobsons Bay by 1866.

A public bathing house for tourists existed from 1868.

1870s

A brickworks was established in 1870.

The first vessel to pick up passengers and cargo was the Despatch, in 1872.

The Portarlington Cricket Club was established in 1872.

Portarlington Primary School, VIC, first opened its doors on October 20, 1873, operating initially out of the local Wesleyan Church

An Australian Rules Football club from 1874.

The Masonic Hall opened as the Sons of Temperance Hall in 1874 in Brown Street. Sons of Temperance is a brotherhood of men who promoted the temperance movement and mutual support.

In 1879, the railway line was extended to Portarlington.

1880s

A telegraph service began in 1882.

Anglican Church, built in 1883.

Queenscliff Sentinel, Drysdale, Portarlington and Sorrento Advertiser (Vic. : 1885 - 1894), Saturday 8 September 1888

Presbyterian Sunday school, constructed in 1888.

1890s

A free public library opened in the ante-room of the Temperance Hall in 1883.

Around Portarlington, Bellarine, and Drysdale there are about 2,000 acres devoted to onions every year, and this area just about meets the local demand. 1894

Catholic Church, completed in 1895.

Baths at Portarlington, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 19 January 1895

Grand Hotel, PortArlington, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 19 January 1895

The S S Edina at Port Arlington Pier, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 19 January 1895

Mr AVyles carries on business at Portarlington as a stationer, news agent, tobacconist, fancy goods dealer, and hairdresser. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 January 1898

H.M.V.S. CERBERUS. Her practice-ground is off Portarlington and Mornington. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 28 May 1898

1900s

The paddle-steamer Weeroona was one of the steamers that conducted day trips out of Melbourne to Portarlington, Queenscliff and Sorrento in the early 1900s.

Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 29 December 1906

Leaving the pier, Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 29 December 1906

SHARK CAUGHT AT PORTARLINGTONBY MR C. RICHARDS (MEASURING 12 FT. IN LENGTH. AND 8 FT. IN GIRTH).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 13 April 1907

1. A VIEW OF THE ESPLANADE. 2, PAVILION IN THE EASTERN PARK. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 29 December 1906

State School, Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 29 December 1906

CITY NEWSBOYS' PICNIC TO PORTARLINGTON : THE LADS ON THE EDINA AT QUEEN'S WHARF.Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 March 1908 (The SS Edina was an iconic part of Port Phillips maritime history and culture. It is historically significant for being internationally famous as the worlds oldest working screw steamship)

The Portarlington Golf club opened in 1909.

Portarlington, VIC, Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925), Thursday 11 February 1909

Messrs. Whybrow 81 Co.'s Annual Picnic, HELD AT PORTARLINGTON, VIC, Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925), Thursday 31 March 1910

BAY STEAMER ‘SS COURIER’: PORTARLINGTON, VICTORIA. 1910

POrtarlington, VIC, 1912

Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929), Saturday 12 July 1913

POST OFFICE: PORTARLINGTON. VICTORIA. 1915, SLVIC

Holiday to Portarlington, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 10 February 1912

The advance Australia. Vol. 23 No. 03 (15 Mar 1919)

WWI

PORTARLINGTON HEROES Two gallant sons of Mr and Mrs H. Allen, Gellibrand street, Portarlington, heard the call of duty and nobly re-sponded. Private J. N. Allen enlisted on January 10, 1915, and after being in camp at Broadmeadows sailed for Egypt on May 6 following. He was drummer in the 22nd Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on June 10, and left for Gallipoli in August, and was on the Peninsula until the evacuation. He also saw service at Tel-el-Kebir, and was in several desert actions. On reaching France he took on the dan-gerous work of stretcher-bearer until August 5, 1916, when he was reportedmissing. His His younger brother, Private R. H. Allen, enlisted in July, 1916, and sailed for England on October 21 of the same year. He saw active service with a machine gun section, and in September was reported as having been wounded somewhere in Belgium. Both lads were leading members of the Portarlington Football Club. IN KING AND EMPIRE'S CAUSE PTE. J. H. ALLEN (KILLED) PTE. R. H. ALLEN (WOUNDED)

1920s

Town and beach at Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 18 December 1920

Portarlington, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 15 October 1921

Post Office, Portarlington, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 15 October 1921

RAGGED BOYS' ANNUAL PICNIC. This scene was taken on the steamer Courier before it left yesterday for Portarlington with SOO boys of the Ragged Boys' Home and Mission The plane was provided by Huddart, Parker Ltd Inset Is Mr W Minton, honorary superintendent of the houseArgus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 26 February 1924

Sports and Social Club’s week-end outing at Porlarlinglon. VIC. Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), Tuesday 10 November 1925

Former Residents of the Old District Around Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 12 February 1927

1. Crowd arriving by the S.S. Courier (Port Arlington, VIC) 2. Some of the committee '.Left to right; Messrs. A. Rook, R. Cornali, J. Grav, J. Wilshire, D. Moodie. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 12 February 1927

OLD MILL, PORTARLINGTON, Mrs. J. Beasley, one of the oldest resi dents of the peninsula, says that her father, Mr. James Young, often mentioned a large camp of aborigines in the locality, with whom the settlers had no trouble until they opened the quarry, for some reason that was never quite clear the blacks resented this, and for a time the workers in the quarry always kept guns close to their hands in expectation of an attack. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 27 October 1928

Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 January 1928

1930s

Portarlington, VIC, 1930s, SLVIC

The Gardens and Post Office, Portarlington, Victoria, 1932, SLVIC

KING DAVID— Warrnambool Tribe, Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Saturday 17 February1934 (Australian Aboriginals did not have kings or queens. However, senior initiated men held high status)

1920s

Newsboys' annual picnic at Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 2 April 1921

Newsboys annual picnic at Portarlington, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 2 April 1921

1930s

Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), Saturday 17 September 1932

Post-office picnic at Portarlington, VIC. Telephone girls. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 25 February 1933

Seanook Lodge existed at Fenwick street Portarlington.

1940s and WWII

Cheery boys from the Gordon Institute loaded up the van when they left I for their holiday at Portarlington on Saturday. Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Monday 1 January 1940 (The institution provided accommodation for boys who were referred by the police or the courts. Homes and farm employment in the country were found for the boys)

Pte. L. Hitch, of Portarlington (Died of wounds.) Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), Saturday 17 May 1941

A WARM JOB ON A COLD DAY.—W.A.A.A.F. cooks Jovce Beasley, of Portarhngton (Vic.), and Doris Ash, of Northampton- (W.A.), lift a huge apple charlotte ont of the oven at the R.A.AJ’. station, Laverton. The big kitchens, where meals for thousands of personnel are prepared daily are the most popular working places on the station these cold mornings!—R.A.A.F, Official photo.Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), Thursday 14 June 1945

CWA, Portarlington Brach, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 3 March 1948

PORTARLINGTON FOLK 1. Portarlington football team: H. F raser (Ctpt.l, K. Perry (V. Capt. I , J. Manson (Coach), G. Fraser (Treas.).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 13 July 1949, 2. Some of the CWA members.

1. The Esplanade, business centre of Portarlington, 2. Junior pupils at Portarlington State School. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 13 July 1949

Members of the Fishermen's Association, with the chairman, Mr M. Pavletich, at left. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 13 July 1949

1950s

Portarlington, VIC, 1950s? SLVIC

Portarlington, VIC. 1. Red Cross members including Mesdames J. Wheadon (treas.), J. Jickell (pres.). and C. New man (sec.).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 7 October 1953. 2. Some of the Fire Brigade, including M. C. Pavletich (lieut. ), 0. R. E. Mannix
(sec.), and B. W. Harding (appliances officer).

Mr Doug. Stewart, the local baker, has an influx of 5000 campers to cater for during the summer holidays. Here he is with his assistant, Doug. Bayley. Portarlington, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 7 October 1953

A section of Newcombe St.,Portarlington,Vic.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 26 January 1954

Lincoln’s Farm (also known as ‘ROSEDALE’ and Lincoln's Place) in Portarlington, was first acquired by Edwin Collins in 1862 from Joseph Birkett, the first Crown purchaser in 1849 who had established ‘one of, it not the best and most productive farms in the whole of the Bellarine district. According to Heritage Victoria and the National Trust, the property pre dates the National Trust listed Portarlington Mill. Collins sold the farm in 1876 and it was later named ‘Lincoln’s Farm’ after William Lincoln, owner in the later 19th century. The farm remained a fully functioning dairy farm until the 1950.’s. Sadly, this old Australian Pioneer farm (original house, stables and dairy) no longer stands having been demolished in 2020

1950s

Newcombe Street Portarlington, looking west towards the Grand Hotel, early 1950s, SLVIC

Portarlington R.S.L. conducted a beach girl quest on New Year's Day.Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 28 January 1953

Around Portarlington

St John's Anglican Church, Portarlington, VIC, built 1883

Grand Hotel, Portarlington, VIC, built 1888

Former Portarlington Post Office, VIC, built 1888

The Old Mill Portarlington, QLD, originally built as a mill in 1857

Heritage house, Portarlington, VIC

The Ol' Duke Hotel, built in 1855, Portarlington, VIC

Portarlington, VIC

The RSL Sub-Branch building in Portarlington was the Colonial Bank of Australasia and the title was first registered in 1887

"Tarina", Portarlington, VIC, Circa 1896

Portarlington, VIC

Things To Do and Places To Go

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

Celtic Folk Festival

Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway

Portarlington Mill Museum

Museums - Geelong & The Bellarine

Portarlington Hilly & Historic Walk

Replica of the Lady Nelson in Hobart, Tasmania

The 27-metre topsail schooner, Enterprize is a fully operational replica of a tall ship originally constructed in Hobart in 1830. Today, the Enterprize is a replica topsail schooner built in Melbourne, Australia. It is currently operated by a not-for-profit group for the purpose of providing the people of Melbourne with a means of experiencing nineteenth century sailing and the city's history.

The Enterprize is a replica topsail schooner built in Melbourne, Australia. It is currently operated by a not-for-profit group for the purpose of providing the people of Melbourne with a means of experiencing nineteenth century sailing and the city's history.

Dunolly, VIC: Old Gold Town

2026-08-05T20:25:05.343-07:00

The small town of Dunolly, located about two and a half hours from Melbourne by road, in the Central Goldfields region of Victoria, became famous when the largest gold nugget in the world was discovered by Cornish prospectors in 1869, just 15 km north-west of the town.

The Dja Dja Wurrung People

The Dja Dja Wurrung people are Aboriginal Australians whose country is the volcanic plains of central Victoria.

The Dja Dja Wurrung people called the area Lea Kuribur.

The name Dja Dja Wurrung appears to combine the word for 'yes' (djadja) with 'mouth' (wurrung). Dja Dja Wurrung belongs to the Western branch of the Kulin languages. Many other language groups in the area use their word for 'no' in their name.

Historian Ian D. Clark confirmed that a two class matrilineal system was recorded and maintained, with descent based on the wirran (yellow-tailed black cockatoo) and grugidj (sulphur-crested cockatoo or Long-billed corella white cockatoo) moieties. Grugidj sub-totems included pelican, parrot, mopoke and large kangaroo. Gamadj sub-totems included emu, whip snake, possum, koala, and sparrowhawk. Clans intermarried with the Dja Dja Wurrung, Jardwadjali, Dhauwurd wurrung and Wada wurrung peoples.

The native tribes of South-East Australia by Howitt, A. W. (Alfred William), 1830-1908

Aboriginal Cooee call when returning to camp, Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers (Melbourne, Vic. : 1867 - 1875), Saturday 12 September 1868 (The first recorded reference to the Aboriginal 'coo-ee' call is in the papers of Daniel Southwell, an officer of the Royal Navy and member of the crew of HMS Sirius that sailed with the First Fleet to Australia.)

1830s

Explorer Thomas Mitchell passed through the central Victorian region during his 1836 'Australia Felix' expedition,

1840s

Dunolly was established as a European pastoral run in 1845 by squatter Archibald McDougall, who named the station after Dunolly Castle in Scotland. He brought sheep to the region and built a homestead near Burnt Creek.

1850s

Gold was first found nearby at Moliagul in 1852 and along Burnt Creek on the Dunolly run in 1853. This gold rush transformed the sheep station into a tent city and permanent township by 1856.

McDougall sold the pastoral run to Simson in 1854.

In 1853 two men obtained no less than 86lb. weight of the precious metal as the result of a fortnight's work at Dunolly.

In the early days, Dunolly formed one of the liveliest places in the colony, with 15,000 diggers and residents. (2.)

DUNOLLY.

Though the township which now bears this name is of recent origin, the Dunolly diggings were known at a very early period of the annals of the gold-fields. Several attempts were made to form a permanent township, and always by some mischance or other they failed. The varied fortunes of Dunolly are illustrative of the peculiar features that aid or retard the development of a gold-field. It always seemed on the point of becoming a flourishing township, and as often the probability died away. It was as if the genus of gold-mining that discovered not only the rich gold-field, but the important position so tantral to other fields, was continually struggling with an adverse fate, and as often as it endeavoured to assert its prerogative, so often was it baffled. Yet with each effort it gathered strength, till at last it gained an undisputed ascendancy. In this way tbe present township of Goldborough was originally christened Dunolly. A rush occurred about a mile nearer to what is known as tlie Hard llill, and Dunolly migrated to the new field of promise. This spot died away, and at a subsequent period the Hard Hill caused rather a large rush—one, too, that proved most prosperous to those engaged in it. Again the place became thinned by large rushes to other diggings. The few inhabitants left, however, fought on bravely, and in a short time a large rush occurred about a mile nearer to the present town. The wet lead at Avoca, which had attracted a huge population, at this time wore a very gloomy appearance, and the people left the " sweet little vale" by hundreds for Dunolly. A long straggling street was formed, but there was very little gold obtained; in fact, this was the poorest rush that ever occurred at Dunolly, and the attractions of other fields, not to mention an immense exodus to the Sydney mines, carried away by far the larger portion of the miners. Things wore the most discouraging appearance it is possible to conceive, when a prospecting hide struck gold on a flat leading towards Jones Creek, not far from a wayside coffee-house, now the Old House at Home Hotel, which then stood by itself a long distance from any other habitation. About a mile higher upon the same flat, digging had been going on tor a considerable time, and an irregular run of gold was traced down to within half-a-mile of the prospecting hole. Curious to relate, at the very same time that gold was struck in the latter, it was discovered that the poor lead of gold, laboriously traced higher up the fiat, had run into some magnificently rich ground, that literally abounded in nuggets. Tlie result is easily guessed —the news got abroad, the whole of the fiat intervening between the two points we have mentioned was at once taken up, and proved immensely rich. Meanwhile hundreds and thousands af diggers poured in, and the lead of gold was still further traced. The next few weeks formed a glorious epoch in the history of Dunolly. A shallow lead, running parallel with the deep lead, was struck, and party after party continued to sink golden claims. With unparalleled rapidity tbe gold was traced across what is now the main street, into wet and deep ground. The claims on the edge of the street produced many thousand pounds worth of gold, and these, as well as several higher up tbe lead, are amongst the richest of which tbe colony can boast. Whilst the diggers were reaping this glorious harvest, men of business were not idle: a street upwards of a mile long was formed, and covered on each side closely with places of business. This is the present township. At the time we speak of it bad the appearance of a large fair—canvass, canvass, canvass, nothing but canvass.

Two solicitors, Messrs. Prendergast and Phelps; and a host of others engaged in businesses of haberdashers. clothiers, watchmakers, chemists, stationers, tobacconists, timber -merchants, ironmongers, upholsterers, confectioners, wheelwrights, &c., &c. In short, Dunolly has within itself all the elements of a town. There is a daily mail between it and Melbourne, as well as with most other parts of tbe colony. The line of telegraph is being extended to it from Castlemaine, and it is hoped will shortly be completed. We must not forget to mention a daily line of coaches owned by Mr. Lyle, which connects the town with Maryborough on the one side, and on tbe other, with all the surrounding diggings, from Sandy Creek to Korong. A considerable sum is already collected towards the erection of an hospital, and probably In another month or two, we may have to record the opening of so excellent an institution. There are three places of worship. A mechanics' institute has lately been opened; it has commenced modestly with a convenient reading room, stored with periodicals, magazines, and a few books. From the interest which is taken in it we may fairly assume that it will rapidly progress. As regards public buildings, we are sorry we cannot give so good an account as we could wish.

Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (Vic. : 1857 - 1867 ; 1914 - 1918), Tuesday 10 August 1858

Anglican school hall built 1857. Bendigo Hotel and Cobb and Co. Offices established in 1857.

Railway Hotel built under another name in 1858.

By 1858, many people had left the town.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 31 October 1859

1860s

The former courthouse was built in 1861.

Cobb and Co. in Dunolly Victoria, 1861, SLVIC

It could hardly have been possible for us to have had a quieter Christmas here than the one just passed. I think I may safely say that Dunolly has not looked so miserably dull for the last two years as it does at the present time. No sports having been got up at any of the hotels in the town, all those who take part in such matters or care about saving them went off en masse to Burnt Creek, where amusements of every description have been going on Mining matters are almost at a standstill, and all the workings adjacent to the town are quite deserted, all the miners employed on them, with the exception of the Chinese, being holiday-making. Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (Vic. : 1857 - 1867 ; 1914 - 1918), Monday 30 December 1861

The Town Hall built 1862.

Wigham’s Junction Hotel was built in 1862 to serve the Gooseberry Hill gold-rush. (William Wigham was one of 238 convicts transported to Australia on the Lord Petre, 3 July 1843)

Wigham’s Junction Hotel was built in 1862, Dunolly, VIC

Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (Vic. : 1857 - 1867 ; 1914 - 1918), Monday 17 March 1862

Methodist Church built 1863.

The Presbyterian Church built 1864.

Frayne'a Theatre," Dunolly. Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (Vic. : 1857 - 1867 ; 1914 - 1918), Wednesday 15 February 1865

The 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was unearthed on February, 2, 1 869, by John Deason and Richard Oates in nearby Moliagul township.

“Welcome Stranger" nugget which is reputed to be the largest single lump of gold found in the world. This magnificent stroke of luck occurred at Moliagul, eight miles north of the famous goldfields of Dunollv, in central Victoria, on February 5, 1869. Walkabout

The two storey mansion called 'Bellevue' was built in 1869 for James Bell (1836-1908).

1870s

Catholic Church built in 1871.

Group of Chinese find nugget at Dunolly, called The Precious, which yields 50.418kg of pure gold. (1.)

Gold mining decreased and wheat farming increased and a flour mill erected in 1873.

The railway from Melbourne and Maryborough reached the town in 1874.

Tidswell’s Saddlery, Dunolly, VIC, 1874, (established 1861 by saddler William B Thomas)

Ballarat Courier (Vic. : 1869 - 1900; 1914 - 1918), Monday 19 November 1877

1890s

Post Office and clocktower erected in 1891.

Government perfume farm, Dunolly, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 28 April 1894

'Within ten miles of Dunolly there are orchards and vineyards fifty acres in extent, and all round about the township, even in the abandoned alluvial workings, the vine and the fig are much in evidence.'
Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 16 March 1895

Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 13 June 1896

Old squatters hut, Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 13 June 1896

Miner's hut, Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 13 June 1896

Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 13 June 1896

1900s

Jubilee of Dunolly, VIC, school children in the recreation reserve, Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), Saturday 30 May 1908

Jubilee of Dunolly, VIC, Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), Saturday 30 May 1908

FIRE BRIGADE STATION, DUNOLLY, VICTORIA - very early 1900s, Kaye

WWI

Dunolly and Betbetshire Express and County of Gladstone Advertiser (Vic. : 1915 - 1918), Tuesday 29 May 1917

AUSTRALASIAN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT AT GALLIPOLI. PRIVATE ;T. A. BEAUDOIN, 30 (died of wounds) was a native of Dunolly, and was well kiiown In ' the Bendlgo district. where ho had several relatives. He was unmarried. In Dunolly he was a prominent footballer, and won several gold medals. , At- the time of volunteering ho was farming . In the Malice, and before departing ho dis posed of his, Interests, PHerald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Tuesday 22 June 1915

Private W. S. Bell, A.W.U. member, of Dunolly, Vic. Killed in action. Australian Worker (Sydney, NSW : 1913 - 1950), Thursday 25 January 1917

1920s

The first plane landing in Dunolly, in July 1920.

Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 25 March 1922

BIG FIRE AT DUNOLLY Flour-mill end valuable Stocks Destroyed.
Sunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1942)Friday 6 April 1923

Top State School and Scholars.2. Broadway looking North. Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 22 September 1923

MAURICE BEASY, Carlton's magnificent footballer, who is undoubtedly one of Australia's champions. Beasy lives at Dunolly and travels 124 miles by train every Friday to take his place with the team on Saturday. Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Saturday 23 May 1925

Shire Offices. Broadway. VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 3 July 1926

Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 3 July 1926

GOLD RUSH AT DUNOLLY WITHIN A QUARTER OF A MILE OF THE SPOT WHERE THE WELCOME STRANGER NUGGET WAS FOUND IN 1869, another rich gold reef has been STRUCKSunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1970), Friday 19 October 1928

Dunolly — Centre of a Very Fine Agricultural District. 1. Post office with war memorial in front. 2. Some of the leading citizens. Girls at the State School. 4. Public Hospital. 5. The Main Street. 6. Some of the lady members of the golf club. 7. Eucalyptus oil distilling plant. 8. Town Hall and Council Chambers. 9. Boys at the State School. 10. A wood-cutting plant. 11. Members of golf club house. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 1 December 1928

Town Hall and Council Chambers, Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 1 December 1928

This somewhat tomb-like structure marks the spot where the world's biggest nugget was found. The locality is a few miles from Dunolly, State forests surround it for miles. Thii monument, ami hundreds of caved- in shafts, are (he only evidences left of the huge army of gold-seekers of "the Sixties." The inscription on the granite is as follows: — "Welcome Stranger Nugget. On this spot the largest nugget of gold found in the world was discovered on 5th February, 1 S it 9 , by John Deason and Richard Oata. Weight 231 dors — value £9553. K reeled by Mines Department, 1897 Henry Foster, Minister for Mines. D. J. Duggan, M.I. A.. Member for Dunolly."Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 8 September 1928

1930s

Back to Dunolly—Large numbers of Visitors- took part in Happy Reunions -Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 16 April 1932

Back to Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 16 April 1932

Dunolly Football Team (Maryborough League). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 19 November 1932

Matron Bryant and Day Staff at the hospital, Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 19 August 1933

M Taylor and party paddocking for alluvial gold at Burn Creek, Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 19 August 1933

Dunolly, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 19 August 1933,

DU NOLLY DIGGERS’ GUARD OF HONOR FOR DUKE. Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), Friday 2 November 1934

The Dunolly Nugget. The 83oz. gold nugget, the largest found in the Dunolly district for some years, which was. unearthed by Mr W. Baker and his partner, Mr Matthews, at Barnes Flat, photographed at the Royal Mint today. .Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Tuesday 17 April 1934

Double Murder At Dunolly, The 90-year-old delicenscd hotel in the main street, where the bodies were discovered.Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 8 October 1938

1940s and WWII

Construction of Bulk Wheat Storage at Dunolly, 1941/42. during WW2 for the emergency storage of wheat. (called stick shed because of the timber supports.

Construction of Bulk Wheat Storage, Dunolly, VIC, 1941/42. Constructed during WW2 for the emergency storage of wheat (520 metres long, 74 metres wide)

SERVICE CASUALTIES. Mr and Mrs Charles Raven, of Dunolly, have been officially advised that their youngest son, Sgt-Plt Charles M. Raven, was killed in an aircraft accident at Khartoum on June 16. Sgt-Plt Raven, who was 25, was educated at Dunolly SS and Maryborough TS, and when he enlisted in RAAF was employed as an engineering draughtsman in M Sgt-Plt C. M.Raven and M BW. After training in Australia he left for abroad in November, 1941, and later transferred from England to Middle East for further training. He was a keen cricketer, footballer, and golfer.Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 13 July 1943,

Flt-Sgt Austin James Collins, who was killed in an aircraft accident in New Guinea on June 1, was born at Dunolly. On completing his education at Xavier College, he entered the Crown Law Department, and was relieving clerk of courts in many parts of Victoria. He joined the Air Force in 1940, and after 6 months service with the RAF at Singapore, returned to Australia from India after the fall of Malaya. Since January last he had been attached to a bomber squadron. His widow and infant son are residing with his mother, Mrs. M. Collins, Bayview crescent, Black Rock.Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 27 July 1943

PATRIOTIC CITIZENS OF DUNOLLY, Employes of Dunoily branch of Maryborough Knitting Mills, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 22 March 1944

C. Llewellyn, O.C. (right, and local member of the Volunteer Defence Corps. (Dunolly, VIC) Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 22 March 1944

Employes at Dunolly annexe of Maryborough Knitting Mills. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 1 October 1947

Top. Infant Welfare Committee, including Mesdames Shiell (pres.), Raselli (sec.), and Harrop (treas.). Bottom. Hospital staff. In front Dr. P. Jenkins, MatronP. P. O'Hair, Mr K. W. Butler (sec.)
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 1 October 1947

1950s

MALLEE WHEAT is pouring into the 10,000,000-bushel Dunolly wheat store, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Wednesday 4 January 1950

Young and old from round Dunolly, VIC. The school Mothers' Club with Mesdamet H. Thomas ( v.-pres.), A. Cole ( treat.), \ H. Watt (pres.) and A. E. Raven (see.) The First Dunolly scouts and cubs with Messrs. . A. Milne, scout master (left), and J. Cole, troop leader (right).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 1 August 1951

The Infant Welfare Centre Committee — Mesdames A. Duff, R. Mort-lock ( Sister L. Boles, Mesdames A. Milne ( pres.), C. Davenport, A. Darby ( v.-pres.) and R. Deledio.Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 1 August 1951

The District Hospital nursing staff with Matron O. Cook and Mr. K. W. Butler (Dunolly, VIC). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 1 August 1951

Members of the locat Urban Fire Brigade with Messrs G. S. Williams (capt.) A. Downs (It.) and J. K. Richards (Dunolly, VIC). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 1 August 1951

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 14 April 1956

1980s

Train services to Dunolly ceased in 1980.

Dunolly Stick Shed was demolished in 1987.

2020s

Bendigo Hotel and Billiard Room, Dunolly, VIC, in 2025. The hotel was built in 1857

Around Dunolly

Dunolly’s Historic Court House, VIC

The Dunolly Town Hall, VIC, was originally built as a courthouse by the Public Works Department in 1884. The first town hall was built in 1862-63

Dunolly’s Historic Court House, on the corner of Market and Bull Street, Dunolly, VIC

Dunolly, VIC, lock up built 1863

Dunolly Uniting Church, 94 Barkly Street, VIC, (Former Wesleyan Church (1863) and Jubilee Sabbath School (1887). Now Uniting

Dunolly Cemetery, VIC, established 1856

The first Anglican Church, Dunolly, VIC, was opened in 1858. The current Church is a freestone church designed by architects Vahland and Getzschmann and built between 1866-69

Old red brick stables behind the former Cobb and Co coaching station, Dunolly, VIC (Cobb and Co was most active in the 1860s)

Dunolly Horse Activity Club is situated at Racecourse Rd Dunolly, VIC. The club began in 1984

Dunolly Museum, VIC

Ying's Terminus Hotel Dunolly, VIC. Wong Ying, a Chinese youth from Canton came to Dunolly to work for his uncle in a grocery shop. He later bought the Terminus Hotel in Dunolly, owing it until 1956

Original Court House Dunolly, VIC, was built by James Nichols in 1858

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1 Hardy Street, Dunolly, VIC (was built between 1868-71 and opened on 17/9/1871)

In April 1865 the Dunolly and Bet Bet Shire Express reported that William Footer was building himself a "great house" which became the Footers Mansion, on Broadway, on the main street of Dunolly, VIC

Abandoned buildings, Dunolly, VIC

The Post Office, Dunolly, VIC, was erected in 1891

Things To Do and Places To Go

Dunolly Museum

The Dunolly Historic Precinct and Walk

Dunolly History Walk

Goldfields Guide

Wigham's Junction Hotel

Charleville, QLD: Outback Town and Facinating History

2026-07-19T22:21:13.119-07:00

Charleville is located in outback Queensland, approximately 745 kilometres west-northwest of Brisbane.

Aboriginal Australians

The Bidjara and Gungabula languages (assorted spellings) are historic to the Shire of Murweh.

Cultural traditions and beliefs are passed down in Aboriginal oral tradition.

Spiritual values hold reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime.

The Rainbow Serpent is a major ancestral being for many Aboriginal people across Australia. The rainbow serpent is in the first instance, the rainbow itself. The serpent story may vary however, according to environmental differences.

QUEENSLAND NATIVES PROCURING FIRE.Our illustration shows the manner in which the aborigines of Australia procure fire in the bush when away from their mia-mias. Sitting on the ground, a piece of wood is held firm by the feet, and the operator rolls a thin round Flip of iron bark between the palms of his hand, keeping the point firmly fixed on the wood under his feet until by friction 11)0 latter is ignited and the desired end obtained. Illustrated Adelaide Post (SA : 1867 - 1874), Tuesday 14 June 1870

Ethnological Studies Among the North-west-central Queensland Aborigines by Walter Edmund Roth (1897) Here

1840s

In 1847, Edmund B. Kennedy was journeying along the Warrego River. He passed within about eight miles of the present site of the town. In December 1848, Kennedy was speared by Aboriginal Australians in far north Queensland near Cape York.

1850s

Charleville grew out of the carriers' camps that were pitched on the Warrego River away back in the fifties. The road due north, and south branched at the heavy crossing where the loose sand made it the natural stopping place for tired teams. (1.)

Stockmen

1860s

The Gowrie run (1863) was located on a natural stock route between New South Wales and Queensland. Gowrie Crossing was where the route crossed the Warrego. A hotel was established there and a town reserve of four sq miles gazetted in 1865.

Charleville was gazetted in 1865 and named after a town in Ireland. It became a service centre for the pastoral industry.

The Queensland Native Mounted Police operated for 80 years, from 1848 until 1928. It was organised along paramilitary lines, consisting of detachments of Aboriginal troopers led by white officers.

Yo Yo Creek Native Police barracks, sat near the joining of the Warrego River and YoYo creek in the Charleville District, on a high bank. Read more

The isolated Yo Yo Creek Native Police barracks, sat near the joining of the Warrego River and YoYo creek in the Charleville District, on a high bank (middle right of the image), c1864. This is one of the earliest images in the Police Museum collection.

CHARLEVILLE. About a fortnight ago, on a moonlight night the Native Police Barracks here was invaded by a warlike tribe of blacks owing to one of the black trackers eloping with one of the fair sex belonging to the tribe. The tracker received a severe wound with a spear, but under the able attendance of Sergeant Britton the spear was cut out, and the sufferer is progressing favora-bly. The enemy retreated without any injury.Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 17 April 1866

1870s

In the 1870s Charleville had only a store, blacksmith, butcher and a police magistrate.

In 1876 Cobb and Co made its first run from Charleville to the Roma railhead, carting woolclip. Charleville became an important stopover for Cobb and Co routes.

1880s

ALFRED STREET, CHARLEVILLE, IN 1882. QLD, Charleville Times

The Charleville Times began publication in 1883.

A school opened (1884), a hospital built (1885) and Anglican and Catholic churches were erected.

In 1886 Cobb & Co. relocated coach building from Bathurst to Charleville, establishing a major factory. Others businesses and factories followed.

The arrival of the railway from Brisbane in 1888 significantly boosted the town's economy and accessibility.

Pugh's Queensland almanac, directory and law calendar. 1862-1866
(1888)

1890s

In 1890, Cobb & Co. established its largest coach-making factory in Charleville, contributing to local industry.

Alfred St, Charleville, QLD, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 14 July 1894

Charleville Hospital, QLD, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 14 July 1894

Pugh's Queensland almanac, directory and law calendar. 1862-1866
(1895)

Wool bales from Yarron Vale at Charleville Railway Station, 1897, Queensland State Archives

1900s

Blanket day, May 24 at Charleville, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 December 1902

Cobb and Co. mail coach at Charleville, ca. 1906, SLQLD

Hospital at Charleville, Qld - very early 1900s, Kaye

Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Wednesday 27 January 1909

Best stockman's turnout, Charleville Show, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 4 June 1909

ADAVALE COACH LEAVING CHARLEVILLE POST OFFICE ON 26tli FEBRUARY, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 March 1909

Our correspondent writes that homes are so expensive that there is no possibility of everyone being accommodated, consequently, tents have to be called into requisition. As is usual, under similar circumstances, rents are very high. Our pictures are typical of many that might be produced of tent life. Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 20 May 1910

Mr McKay's Hot Pie Camp at Charleville, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 20 May 1910

MR.MAYNE'S CAMP, CHARLEVILLE, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 20 May 1910

TYPES OF WESTERN WORKERS. Taken" at the Woolscour,- Charleville, J Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 19 November 1910

From left to right:—Messrs. John Partridge, D. C. McDonald. J. M. Pel :i, (F .1. fitzWalter (Mayor). Robert A|»i»leton, T. C. Fal'i- iTmvn Cioik). \Y. S. Meadow-Charleville Town Council, QLD, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 29 April 1911

The Charleville Women Workers' Union, QLD, Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 27 July 1912

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 18 December 1914 (The role of Protector of Aborigines was first established in South Australia in 1836 and involved advising governments and overseeing matters connected to their welfare)

WWI (1914-1918)

Edgar Harper McWha #3517 - 27 August 1915, Egypt. Regimental number - 3517 Place of birth - Charleville Queensland Religion - Church of England Occupation - Saddler Address - Charleville, Queensland Marital status - Single Age at embarkation - 22 Next of kin - George McWha, Charleville, Queensland

A Very Useful Goat Team at Charleville., QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 30 November 1917

Opening of a school at Charleville, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 April 1918

18 TONS OF WOOL FROM BIDDENHAM STATION ; ARRIVAL AT CHARLEVILLE, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 4 July 1919

The Squatters' Club at Charleville, QLD, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 22 March 1919,

THE LLOYD AEKTAL SURVEY PARTY AT CHARLEVILLE EN ROUTE TO DARWIN. The patty was at last advices at Lougreach, having travelled thither fro m Charleville via Blackall by motor cycle. ' Front row : J. C. Marduel (a French airman), Reg. Lloyd (leader). Back row : W. Ousley (mechanic), H. Seabrook (mechanic), —. Hunter (surveyor), J. K. Waldron (surveyor). —H. J. Walton photo.Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 22 March 1919

1920s

The Dalton Hotel, Charleville, Qld - circa 1920s. It was located on the corner of Alfred and Wills street and was originally next to the Royal Hotel which it bought out and it all became The Dalton Hotel. This hotel was destroyed by fire in 1948, Kaye

The Convent, Charleville, Qld - circa 1920, Kaye

In 1922, Qantas inaugurated its first fare-paying passenger service from Charleville to Cloncurry, marking a milestone in Australian aviation.

Wills Street, looking north, Charleville, Qld - 1920s, Kaye

Balonne Beacon (St. George, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Saturday 3 December 1921

Hotel Tambo at Charleville, QLD, 1923, Queensland State Archives

THE ROVERS, THE PREMIER FOOTBALL CLUB AT CHARLEVILLE, QLD, Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 11 July 1924

Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), Saturday 20 September 1924

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Friday 6 March 1925

Longreach Leader (Qld. : 1923 - 1954), Friday 21 December 1928

Queensland’s Queensland Air Mail, Air Mail (Above) Inaugural flight on the Brisbane- Normanton Air Mail Service. The “Apollo” leaving Eagle Farm Aerodrome, Brisbane, for Charleville, 9.30 a.m., April 17, 1929.

1930s

Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1922; 1924 - 1941), Thursday 29 May 1930

Charleville, QLD, 1930, Queensland State Archives

The assemblage at the Diggers' Ball.—His Excellency the Governor (Sir Leslie Orme Wilson) and Lady Wilson and Miss Wilson are in front. The president (Mr. Longwill) is standing immediately behind Miss Wilson, and on his left is the secretary (Mr. Malcolm M'Gregor). (Charleville, QLD). Queenslander Illustrated Weekly (Brisbane, Qld. : 1927 - 1939), Thursday 27 October 1932

Messrs. Statham Bros., Taylor's Plains, Mungallala, and Stuart Campbell, in their picturesque wild west clothing who figured promptly at the recent Charleville Rodeo, QLD, and thrilled the crowds with their daring exhibitions of buckjumping and bullock riding. South Western Sentinel (Charleville, Qld. : 1931 - 1933), Tuesday 14 June 1932

Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 2 January 1931

Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Friday 1 April 1932 (The Great Depression in Australia saw huge levels of unemployment and economic suffering amid plummeting export income. [16] Although the economic downturn was a product of international events, Australian governments grappled with how to respond)

1. SECTION OF THE CROWD at the Charlcvillc races, 2. ORTION OF THE CROWD in the betting ring at the Charleville races on Saturday last.Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 25 October 1934

INTERIOR OF MOBILE TRANSMITTING SET used by the R.A.A.F. officers at Charleville and brought overland from Melbourne.Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 25 October 1934

1940s and WWII

The RAAF Recruiting Train arrived in Charleville on Saturday morning 5 October 1940 .

Mr, A. Squire, Ardnaree, Charleville, has three sons in the R.A.A.F. They are: Pilot .Officer R. A. SQUIRE: before enlisting he vvas Science Master at Brisbane State High School. L.A.C. D. W. SQUIRE, now in New Guinea; he enlisted from Ardnaree. CharJevJle. Cpl. K. C. SQUIRE; before enlisting he was on the staff of Daloety and Co. Ltd., Cunnamulla.Queensland Country Life (Qld. : 1900 - 1905; 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1935 - 1965), Thursday 22 July 1943

Alfred Street, Charleville, Qld - circa 1940s, Kaye

During World War II, Charleville served as a base for U.S. Army Air Force personnel. 3500 US airmen were based here and also a hidden classified military device used in the bombing of Hiroshima.

"KING" PETER ARDOCK

In Charleville Hospital

Lying ill in Charleville's ultra-modern hosptial is an aboriginal "king," who is believe to have been born when Edmund Kennedy was discovering the Warrego district 100 years ago, states the "Courier-Mail."

He is "King'' Peter Ardock, aged head of the aboriginal tribe at Ardock station, north of Thargomindah. King Peter does not remember his age but the matron of the hospital, Miss Gloria Williamson, says that he ap pears to be about 100 years old.

King Peter was brought to the hospital several months ago suffering from a form of heart disease, Miss Williamson said that be was recovering, and would probably get well enough to return to Ardock.

King Peter is still able to talk slowly, and understands what is said to him.

King Peter drew Fresh Boy in the hospital Melbourne Cup sweep, and won £1.
Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 7 November 1947 (Traditionally, Aboriginal societies did not have kings or chiefs in the sense used by English-speaking people)

Charleville’s proudest boast is its aerodrome. It was enlarged greatly during the war, and some of
the largest aeroplanes can land there with safety. It is now used mostly by commercial aircraft which
call there at regular intervals. The flying doctor also has it's base there. Near the outskirts of the
town there is a wool scour. Other main establishments are the town hall, a well appointed picture
theatre, six hotels, seven motor garages and a power house which supplies the town with electricity;
there are also two schools, three churches, a post office, a new court house, four banks and a fire
station besides numerous other business houses. A show is held every year in which horses, cattle and sheep are exhibited; various ring events are presented and art and other work are displayed. Many side-shows are usually at the show to add to the entertainment. The “Picnic Races” are an annual event. Several garden fetes are usually held during the year in aid of charity.

[In] 1947 Charleville celebrated its Centenary. The celebrations extended over a period of about three days during which time an air pageant was held, street entertainment was held and a procession paraded through the town. Several men acted the part of Kennedy and his men, and others drove a Cobb and Co. coach.

Charleville celebrated its Centenary, QLD, Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 21 November 1947

1. Charleville State School, QLD, 2. Old Charleville Hospital, QLD. Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 24 October 1947

Near the end of 1948 one of Charleville’s oldest hotels, the 'Dalton,' was completely destroyed by
fire, together with a bookmaker’s shop and a saddlery shop. The fire broke out in the early hours of
the morning, and it was so severe that the timbers of the buildings on the opposite side of the street started smouldering.
Portal.(December 1949)

1950s

The Flying Doctor stationed at Charleville (Dr. Alan Vickers) locked cool when he arrived in Brisbane today by Flying Qoctor Service plane from' the heat of the west. He accompanied an elderly woman and a 10-months-old. child, who were flown to Brisbane for treatment.Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1955), Monday 2 January 1950

Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Thursday 9 March 1950

Boys from farthest West go to Charleville school, live at All Saints' Hostel, QLD,

Pix, March 31, 1953

Charleville's Bells Hotel, dating from bullock days, has bedrooms opening on to footpath, QLD, Pix, March 31, 1953

Charleville, QLD, Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1955 - 1965), Tuesday 18 October 1955

1960s

Charleville Railway Station, QLD, 1962, Queensland State Archives

Court House in Charleville, QLD - 1965, Vintage Queensland

Charleville was the third busiest goods station and the busiest passenger station on the Western Line prior to the 1960s.

1990s

The 1990 Charleville flood happened on April 21, 1990, when the Warrego River at Charleville peaked at a record 8.54 metres.

Hotel Corones during the Charleville flood, April 1990The 1990 flood nearly wiped out the town centre. Nearly 3000 residents were evacuated to the town's airport until the water receded. Queensland State Archives. PD

Around Charleville

Murweh Shire Council Offices in Charleville Queensland. Built around 1940

Hotel Corones is a heritage-listed hotel at 33 Wills Street, Charleville, QLD, was designed by William Hodgen junior and built from 1924 to 1929

The Charleville Town Hall, QLD, was built in 1927

The court house in Charleville, QLD, was first built in 1875 and was destroyed by arson on 26 December 1941, The court house was rebuilt and the new building opened c.1945

Charleville railway station, QLD, was built from 1888 to 1957

Charleville's Historic House, QLD, is the oldest permanent building in Alfred Street. Today

Art Deco building, Charleville, QLD

Charleville, QLD

Things To Do and Places To Go

Charleville's Historic House Museum

Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre

Cosmos Centre: Offers stargazing experiences, taking advantage of the clear outback skies.

Visit to the Warrego River, where you'll find the 'Waadyanana Pathway', a 1.4km walking track designed by the local Aboriginal people.

Experience Charleville