Plan Book Travel Australia

DESTINATION: Walhalla

Once one of Australia’s richest towns, Walhalla historic township was home to over 3,500 people following the discovery of gold in 1863. In 1862 Edward Stinger found gold in the fast flowing creek, but it was the discovery of Cohen’s Reef, almost 2 miles long, that put Walhalla on the map. Walhalla’s Long Tunnel Mine operated between 1865 and 1914 and was Victoria’s most profitable single mine. Fires, flood and disease were just some of the pioneering hardships to endure during the gold era. Although life in Walhalla may have been tough, the lure of gold made this mountain outpost a vibrant and proud place, with 10 hotels, 7 churches, several dance halls and more than 30 shops.

The residents now number around 20 and keep the spirit and memories of Walhalla alive. During most of the 20th century Walhalla was virtually frozen in time; electricity was only connected in 1998. After nearly becoming a ghost town, many of its buildings and services have been lovingly restored to offer historic attractions and a range of accommodation, tours, shops and eateries for the comforts of today’s traveller.

How to get there
Walhalla is approximately 2.5 hours from Melbourne and only 45 kilometres north of Traralgon and Moe via a sealed road.