Established during the Victorian Gold Rush, Dunolly is a historic town north-west of Melbourne. Its post office originally opened as “Goldborough” in 1856 and was renamed “Dunolly” three years later. Dunolly is famed for its links to the “Welcome Stranger”, an immense alluvial gold nugget that was discovered nearby in 1869.
Things to do in Dunolly
Fronted by a prominent anvil monument is the Dunolly Museum, which houses a large collection of gold mining tools, vintage fashions and photographs. It’s a great place to learn about the town’s Gold Rush history and see replicas of some of the huge gold nuggets that were discovered nearby. The Dunolly Museum also hosts historical tours and can assist with family history searches.
On the edge of town is the Dunolly Golf Club, which features 18 holes within a peaceful bush setting. Its sandy greens are surrounded by meandering creeks and there’s a convivial bar where you can grab a drink after your round. On the other side of the main road is the Dunolly Recreation Reserve, where you’ll find sporting facilities and the Dunolly Dredge Hole.
Opened in 1874, the Dunolly railway station is closed to passenger trains but remains an interesting destination for architecture enthusiasts. It’s located adjacent to a National Trust-protected cork tree listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. At 13 metres in height and with a canopy spread of over 22 metres, it is a sight to behold.
Getting around Dunolly
Dunolly is around two hours’ drive from the centre of Melbourne and Melbourne Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect to Dunolly and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.