Balmoral
Small country service town
Balmoral is a small rural service centre of 214 people picturesquely situated on the banks of the Glenelg River amidst river red gums and undulating countryside where wool still predominates. It is 79 km south-west of Horsham, 54 km north of Coleraine and 328 km north-west of Melbourne.

This area was known as 'Darrangurt' by the local Aborigines. They constructed large-scale artificial drainage systems to the north-east of Balmoral. Dated to c.1700 A.D., these channels, which covered an area of 3 km, drained marshy ground lying between two natural swamps. When it rained the swamps overflowed and eels and fish were flushed into the channels where a series of traps were established. They may also have been a way of preventing floods during heavy rainfall and of retaining water in dry periods. The main channel was originally 2.5 metres wide and over one metre deep. Sections of it are well preserved.

The first Europeans in the area were the party of Thomas Mitchell who passed nearby on their Australia Felix expedition of 1836. The first land was taken up hereabouts by whites around 1840 and several homesteads from the 1840s remain: 'Fulham' was erected of coursed rubble basalt in the 1840s for pastoralist George Armytage who was a major landholder in the Western District; 'Englefield' is on the road to Hamilton, and the original 'Congbool' homestead, on Mathers Creek, is a timber-slab homestead constructed between 1842 and 1859.

The township began to emerge around a river crossing on the Glenelg for those travelling between Melbourne and Adelaide. An inn was built, along with a fellmongery, store and woolshed. The early European settlers called it 'Black Swamp' but, reflecting the predominance of Scottish settlers, it was renamed 'Balmoral' after the initial town survey, in honour of the royal residence in Scotland.

A police camp was established here in the 1850s to catch out Chinese immigrants who landed at South Australia and walked to the Victorian goldfields to avoid paying a poll tax which was imposed if they disembarked at Victorian ports (in order to discourage their immigration).

By 1870 the red gums of the area were being exploited by timbergetters, altering the landscape from forest to open grassland. In the early 1950s, 600 construction workers arrived in the area to build Rocklands Dam.

The Pastoral and Agricultural Show is held each year in March.

Things to see:  

Courthouse and Gaol
The weatherboard courthouse (1877) is located in Glendinning St. It has a small display of historic items and it can be inspected by appointment, tel: (03) 5570 1377. To its rear is an ironstone gaol (1866) which can be clearly seen from the courthouse although it cannot be inspected as it is on private property.

Stanmore Folk Sculpture
Stanmore Folk Sculpture features the works of Betty Trottman. Betty's workshop is her historic 1860s home which features fine cottage gardens for walking and picnicking. It is located a very short distance from town on the Harrow Rd and is open weekends and school holidays from 12.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. or by appointment. The admission charge includes afternoon tea (or morning tea), tel: (03) 5570 1393.

Seymour Park
Located at the corner of Glendinning St and Stirling St this is a recreational area in the town centre. There are parking and picnicking facilities.

Longfella Park
This recreational area, with picnic facilities, overlooks Mathers Creek at the lower end of town (in Fairburn St).

Balmoral Arts and Crafts
Balmoral Arts and Crafts, in Glendinning St, is open three-and-a-half days a week.

Ford Reserve
On the eastern side of town, a short walk from the town centre, along Rocklands Road, is the original ford over the Glenelg River, used in the mid-19th century by Cobb & Co coaches and passengers travelling between Melbourne and Adelaide. The town has received a grant to return the crossing site to its original condition and restore its historic aspect, including the wire which people held onto as they made their way across the river.

The Underground House
This terradome house is an unusual construction designed to maintain a constant temperature all year round. As this kind of house is usually built into a hillside, and there was none on the property, the owners had a hillside constructed by the importation of large amounts of earth. It is an interesting structure which can be inspected by appointment. Ring Jim and Lana Howman on (03) 5570 1392.

Balmoral Golf Course
Balmoral has an outstanding 18-hole sandscrape golf course set in natural bushland which has been chosen as the site of the state golf championships twice in the 1990s, tel: (03) 5570 1316.

Historic Town Walk
An historic town walk is being planned for the town. It will be available from the post office and hotel.

Rocklands Reservoir, Toolondo Reservoir and Black Range State Park
Rocklands Reservoir (a part of the Wimmera-Mallee irrigation system) is the major local attraction. This popular fishing and boating area, to the east of Balmoral, is surrounded by state forests and there are a number of camping areas situated amidst open box woodland on the foreshore of the reservoir. The park boasts masses of wildflowers, Aboriginal rock art, colourful bluffs and fine views. There are walking tracks and picnic areas and bush camping is permitted away from designated areas. It is usually a good spot for boating, waterskiing, sailing, swimming and fishing (for redfin and trout). Most fish are obtained by boat but there are many submerged logs so care is essential. For further information relating to bushwalking, maps or regulations concerning fishing, boating and bush camping, contact Parks Victoria's info-line (131 963) or the local office on (03) 5574 2308.

Rocklands Road heads east from Balmoral. After about 13 km you will come to an intersection which presents three possibilities: (a) take the signposted right for Rocklands Caravan and Camping Park (tel: 03 5570 1438) and the dam wall where there is a boat ramp; (b) proceed straight ahead along Cherrypool Road (see next entry), or (c) turn left into East Telangatuk Road (see subsequent entry).

Option B (Cherrypool Road) is a beautiful scenic drive that heads east from the intersection then veers north through Black Range State Park. It is surfaced but not sealed, although there are plans to seal the road in the year 2000. 5 km along Cherrypool Road is a turnoff on the right to Brodies Camping Area on the foreshore of Rocklands Reservoir. It is about another 7 km along Cherrypool Road to Mountain Dam Camping Area which is also on the reservoir foreshore. It has fireplaces, toilets, a boat ramp and picnic facilities. About another 8 km along Cherrypool Road is a turnoff on the left into Muirfoot Track (a 4WD vehicular track which is closed to traffic from July to September). About 5 km along (after passing through a gate which you must close behind you), on the left-hand side of the road, is the start of a walking trail to Mt Byron. If, instead, you proceed along Muirfoot Track for another 1.5 km you can join another walking trail, on the right-hand side of the road, which leads down to Black Range Picnic Ground.

Alternatively, you can do this walk in reverse by starting from Black Range Picnic Ground. To get there continue along Cherrypool Rd for about 5 km beyond the turnoff into Muirfoot Track then turn left into Black Range Rd. About 7 km along Black Range Rd turn left into Rees Rd and it is about 2.5 km to the picnic ground. You can undertake the walking trail to the top of Black Range, from whence there are excellent views, then continue south along the range. Turn left into Muirfoot Track. 1.5 km along, on the right-hand side of the road, is the start of a walking trail to Mount Byron.

Eventually Cherrypool Road leads to Cherrypool on the Henty Highway, 49 km south of Horsham. If you head south along the highway for 14 km there is a turnoff on the right which leads to Hynes camping area. It has powered caravan sites, a toilet block, hot showers, an electric barbecue and a boat ramp.

Option C (East Telangatuk Rd) heads north of the intersection. After about 15 km it leads past the turnoff (on the right) into Rees Road which will take you (after about 12 km) to the aforementioned Black Range Picnic Ground. If you ignore this turnoff East Telangatuk Rd continues north. After about another 8 km there is a turnoff on the left to the Wash Tomorrow Caravan Park (tel: 03 5388 2231) adjacent Toolondo Reservoir which is considered excellent for brown trout fishing.

Glendinning Camping Area and Claude Austin State Park
Glendinning Camping Area lies to the south-east of Balmoral. To get there follow Cavendish Road south from Balmoral for about 6 km then turn left into Yarramyljup Road (surfaced but unsealed) or take the left onto the sealed road 13 km from Balmoral. Both lead to Glendinning homestead (see subsequent entry) and the Glendinning Camping Area on the reservoir's southern foreshore. This campsite has a boat ramp, fireplaces, toilets and picnic facilities.

About halfway along Yarramyljup Road there is a turnoff into an earthen road which heads north into Claude Austin State Forest. There are no facilities but it is a scenic drive and there are good birdwatching opportunities.

For information on Hynes, Fergusons and Henrys camping areas see entry on Hamilton.

Visitors should be warned that recent drought has affected water levels at Rocklands Reservoir.

Glendinning Homestead
At the south-western edge of Rocklands Reservoir is the Glendinning Homestead complex. It features an 1850s shearing shed and the grand Edwardian homestead itself which was built of handmade bricks in 1909. There is a private wildlife sanctuary and a fine garden on the shores of the reservoir. The garden and scenery can be viewed through the stained-glass windows of the garden-court room. The tranquil complex is open to the public for a fee between September and May (by appointment only). It offers accommodation in the old shearer's quarters, tel: (03) 5574 3260.

To get there head south-east out of Balmoral on the Cavendish Rd for 13 km then take the signposted turnoff on the left and the homestead is at its end.

Fulham Streamside Reserve
Fulham Streamside Reserve, bordering the Glenelg River, is replete with native orchids in spring. It is located north of town, along the road to Horsham, about 12 km from Balmoral. The reserve is named after the first pastoral property on the site.

Mt Talbot Scenic Reserve
North-east of Toolondo, signposted off the Toolondo-Wonwondah Rd, is Mount Talbot Scenic Reserve. There is a walking track to the summit from whence there are panoramic views. Mt Talbot is considered an important Aboriginal site.

	Hotels
	Western Hotel Glendinning St Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5570 1268 Rating: *
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Benwerrin Bed & Breakfast Glendinning Rd Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5574 3255 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Thistledome Cottage Cnr Harrow Rd & Railway St Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5570 1206 Rating: ***
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Crofton Cottage & Holiday Farm Harrow Rd Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5570 1246 Rating: ***
	Glendinning Holiday Farm Glendinning Rd Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5574 3260
	Caravan Parks
	Kings Caravan Park 5 Glendinning St Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5570 1400 or (03) 5570 1295 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Western Hotel Glendinning St Balmoral VIC 3407 Telephone: (03) 5570 1268