About Clunes

Information

Clunes was the site of Victoria's first gold strike. It is located in a hidden valley surrounded by rounded hills which are actually extinct volcanoes (they can best be seen 3 km south along the road to Ballarat).

 

Knowledge

Learn more about Clunes - read our Wikipedia entry here

 

Did you know? 'Back to Booktown' was voted one of the RACV - Victoria 101 Must Do's events

 

Enjoy 'Back to Booktown' or discover the beautiful surrounds of Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve.

Victoria's first gold town

Clunes is located 36 km north of Ballarat (30 minutes by car), and 142 km north-west of Melbourne (90 minutes by car). It is rapidly becoming known as Australia's only Booktown and boasts a number of permanent bookshop and several shops with books in their stock mix.

 

It is a vibrant town of approximately 1000 people who collaborate to achieve the best of small town living. There are a number of active social and sporting groups and many facilities including a swimming pool, ovals, petanque piste, netball/basketball courts, tennis and badminton courts as well as a golf course.

 

Education is an important aspect of Clunes' development with a primary school, regional campus of Wesley College, an arts education centre, an adult learning centre at the Clunes Neighbourhood House and a public library.

 

There is a strong connection with our rural community celebrated in the major annual Agricultural Show which has been running for 150 years. The Show occurs on the third Saturday of November.

 

The town is located in an expanding and award winning wine growing area. There are three wineries in close proximity to the town.

 

Clunes is serviced by mains water and sewerage. It is connected to broadband communications. train and bus services link the town to various rural centres.

 

Tourism is important to the town and Clunes is a growing location for weekends away offering the charm of a bygone era with today's facilities.