Talbot

Overview

Talbot is a tiny former goldmining town. Talbot lies on the central Victorian goldfields trail which is centred on the historic old town of Maryborough.

History

The first European settler in the area was Alexander McCallum who established a pastoral property in 1839 which he called 'Dunach Forrest'. The nearby towns of Amherst and Daisy Hill developed on the 'Glenmona' run which was in existence by 1840. It is said that a shepherd discovered gold at Daisy Hill (7 kilometres north of Talbot) in 1848 but the first rush to the district did not occur until 1852.

Gold was first found at Back Creek in 1854 and a settlement began to emerge on the diggings which was also known as Back Creek. After the 'Scandinavian' rush of 1859 a survey was carried out. After a visit by the governor of Victoria in 1861 the name of the settlement was changed in honour of an English peer named Talbot.

There were initially 15,000 people on the field with five banks, possibly 49 drinking establishments, a brewery, and numerous stores and businesses scattered along six streets. The population dropped to 3000 or 4000 by the mid-1860s by which time more substantial brick and bluestone structures had begun to replace the canvas and timber. At that time there were 16 hotels, a courthouse, a town hall, soap and candle factories, flour mills, a theatre and a gas works.

Places of interest

Aboriginal sites
Arts and historic museum
Historic buildings – town hall, railway station, post office, fire brigade engine house
London house

Accommodation

Talbot offers a small yet comfortable range of accommodation including:

Chesterfield House B&B 03 5463 2002
Courthouse Hotel/Motel 03 5463 2002
Eany Farm Cottage 03 5464 7267
St Andrews 03 5463 2002

Further information can be found on the Visit Maryborough website http://www.visitmaryborough.com.au

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