Goldfields Getaway
1 September, 2021
A tour around Dunolly with John Moir
APPROACHING Dunolly from Maryborough, just before you cross a creek, is a period two-storey building with a lot of history. This was originally called the Junction Hotel. Take a left turn just opposite the motel and head down to the silos. This are...

APPROACHING Dunolly from Maryborough, just before you cross a creek, is a period two-storey building with a lot of history. This was originally called the Junction Hotel.
Take a left turn just opposite the motel and head down to the silos. This area is quite different to earlier days where it was a silo that was approximately one mile long with a structure of timber poles and corrugated iron cladding.
Turn right past the current solo buildings – note most grain in present times is stored under covers behind the buildings. Next is the railway station and shed or what remains of them. Right next to the station is the Cork Tree. It is quite unique for the area as Cork Trees are more likely found in Turkey. It is rumoured that a restoration of the railway buildings is scheduled in the future.
Take the next railway crossing and you will find the old Terminus Hotel. The Avoca Hotel was next door in earlier days. Back towards the railway line is McKinnon Street so take that north and you will come to Tweeddale St. We will return to this point after a short view of the golf club. So, continuing on you will find a turn into the golf club. The entrance is off Separation Road (turn right into Separation Road).
Return to Tweeddale Street and turn left up to Broadway. As you cross the railway line there is a junction to your left – the straight railway line on the left heads to Mildura, and the one to the right takes you to Inglewood and beyond. Ahead on the right-hand corner of Broadway will be a new show place for vehicles and on the left-hand corner ahead was the original home of the famous Crouch Fishing Reel.
Turn left along Broadway. Just before you cross the railway line to Inglewood and further north, look to your right at the two-storey building still called Footers Mansion, circa 1865. It has been a home and a guest house. On the left-hand side of Broadway is one of the three old mail boxes still in existence. Another is outside Hall’s Garage and the third outside the Museum.
Cross the railway line and soon you will find a walnut orchard. Pass on a little further and you will see the local transmission tower for Telstra. On the right-hand side is a small cemetery (one of those used in the early days of Dunolly).
Take the next turn to the right – Cemetery Road. The cemetery is on your left but turn right here and on your right is the original winery, and the ruin next door is the original home. The property is still owned by descendants of the original Daly Family. Continue on back into town.
In Raglan Street there is an original slab structure shed of interest. Cross the railway line and on your right are the twin ovals of Deledio Reserve with the primary school on your left. Of note also as you cross the railway line is that under here is the end of the main gold lead that runs under Dunolly. It narrows here and opens up again on the other side of the line.
Turn left at the primary school and on your right is the new Alvah Art Gallery. Immediately take the next turn left down Rheola Rd and head out over the railway line to see a reserved area of mining holes. Continue on for approximately two kilometres and just before the railway line turn in to the left to see the earlier water reservoir. In the wild flower season, you may like to take the road further over the railway line crossing and go straight for about a kilometre and see what is on offer.
Return into Dunolly and at Lawrence St turn left and go straight down and on up Alice St to the end of the bitumen beside the Catholic Church. Stop here and look on the left and see the first reservoir that lasted only six months before it broke its bank and flooded the town. With the flood mitigation works you will note the old embankment and the new. Then note the lined channel that heads down and under the Eddington Road. Proceed down Alice St to Edington Road and go left to see where the water passes under the road.
At this point we have completed this version of the outer tour of Dunolly and district. For more driving tours of the region call in at the Alvah Art Gallery or give me, John, a call on 0439 029 989.