The Main Street of Berwick

Berwick (including Harkaway, Narre Warren, Hallam, Doveton and Beaconsfield)
Attractive village with a decidedly English feel
Berwick is a former township located on a hill 45 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD. It was later declared a city but has recently been incorporated into the City of Casey which includes Berwick, Harkaway, Narre Warren, Hallam, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Lysterfield South, Hampton Park, Lyndhurst, Cranbourne, Clyde, Devon Meadows, Pearcedale, Cannons Creek, Warneet, Blind Bight and Tooradin. Although it has experienced fairly rapid development in recent years Berwick, with its old-fashioned library building, prim gardens and distinctive boulevarde, retains something of its 19th-century English village feel.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area was occupied by the Bunurong people who were soon displaced. They held their last corroborees in the area c.1858.

One of the first white landholders in the district was a Captain Robert Gardiner who probably sailed from Westernport Bay up Cardinia Creek. There he found good pasturage and, in about 1837, took up much of the land on which the township of Berwick would later develop. He appointed Terence O'Connor as his superintendent. O'Connor brought the district's first sheep over from Tasmania and grazed them on the future townsite and took up residence on Gardiner's property which was named 'Berwick' after Gardiner's birthplace of Berwick-on-Tweed in the north of England. The area was initially known as Cardinia Creek which was an adaptation of the Aboriginal name for the waterway - 'Kar-Din-Yarr' - which means 'looking at the rising sun'.

In 1841 a perceived lawlessness in the district - on the part of both whites and Aborigines - led to the establishment of a native police force barracks. It was located to the west of what is now the suburb of Narre Warren.

In the 1840s Gardiner, with a government subsidy, established a lookout on Mt Misery, at what is now Beaconsfield, in order to keep watch for ships which mistakenly entered Westernport Bay, thinking it to be Port Phillip Bay. At the time Berwick was the eastern border of the Port Phillip District (as distinct from the Gippsland district further east). A regular overland mail service from Melbourne to Gippsland was established in 1848.

A small community, with little claim to occupancy, developed on the eastern side of Berwick Hill. Surveys were conducted in the 1850s when the original land leases expired and the government set aside some of Gardiner's run as a townsite which was initially known as 'The Reserve'. The first land sales took place in January 1854 . At the time it was heavily timbered countryside.

With the arrival of the freehold era the large sheep and cattle stations were broken up, properties were improved and farming began to emerge. The heavy black volcanic soil was particularly suited to potatoes, barley and wheat and a stream-threshing machine and flour mill were erected on the townsite in 1858. In fact, the state's oldest agricultural society - the Port Phillip Farmers' Society - was founded in 1848 and one of its branches (the Mornington Farmers' Society) centred on Berwick. A bluestone quarry, established on the Wilsons' property at Berwick in 1859, provided steady local employment until it closed in 1918. Basalt from the quarry was used for roadmaking in Gippsland. Dairying and cheese-making emerged in the 1860s.

A store opened in the area in 1855 although the first store on the actual townsite appears to have been established in 1857 or 1859. It doubled as a post office. A blacksmith's was set up in 1857, as was the first Presbyterian Church. A wheelwright's shop and school were also opened in the late 1850s. The latter was situated within a wattle-and-daub shepherd's hut, built for usage on Captain Gardiner's run. A new school was built in 1861.

The Border Hotel (still standing) was licensed at Berwick in 1857 to Robert Bain who also owned the store/post office. He donated the land on which the shire hall was later built.

The Eumemmering Hotel had been established by 1851 on the Eumemmering run which was later subdivided into residential blocks. Part of it is now the suburb of Doveton. The Mornington Hotel opened in 1855 at what is now Narre Warren. The name derives from the Aboriginal term 'Narree Nareen' meaning 'small hills' - a reference to the fact that this land lies in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.

The Gippsland Hotel (now the Central Hotel) opened at Beaconsfield in the early 1850s. The owners had a track cut from here through to the new goldfield at Woods Point (see entry on Jamieson) in the early 1860s, thus facilitating access to the new diggings and, of course, encouraging custom at the hotel. They received compensation when the government cut a new track to Woods Point via the Launching Point (see entry on Yarra Junction). Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, stayed at the Gippsland Hotel in 1869 during a royal visit.

Berwick was proclaimed a town in 1861. Local government commenced the following year with the formation of the Berwick Road Board. Meetings were held at the Border Hotel until an office was built at the top of Berwick Hill in 1865.

In 1862 a mechanics' institute cum library was built and a second general store was established. A recreation reserve for cricket and other purposes was set aside in 1863. Other tradesmen began to set up shop in the new town and the first local police court was held at the Border Hotel in 1865. The first licensed stage coach service from Melbourne to Sale in Gippsland began that same year. In 1868 the Shire of Berwick was proclaimed and a policeman was stationed at Berwick for the first time. A state school and a Catholic Church were constructed in 1870, a Church of Christ in 1874, an Anglican Church in 1876 and a Methodist Church in 1886, although the latter was soon removed to Dandenong.

At Harkaway, just north of Berwick proper, the higher ground (a natural watershed between the Port Phillip and Westernport basins) was settled largely by German immigrants and a Lutheran church was built in 1869. It is suggested that bushranger Dan 'Mad Dog' Morgan was employed on a property at Harkaway before attacking his employee's wife with a knife and fleeing in 1861.

The railway to Berwick opened in 1877, ending the coach-service era, but greatly facilitating the marketing of local produce and hence the growth of the area. Other proximate localities which benefited from the establishment of local railway stations were Beaconsfield (allegedly named after British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli whose title was the Earl of Beaconsfield) and Narre Warren. Both Beaconsfield and Upper Beaconsfield became popular holiday resorts after the arrival of the railways. Gold had been discovered at Upper Beaconsfield in the 1870s but returns were slight and the diggings soon abandoned.

In 1890 the population of Berwick was 636. Oats, peas, beans, potatoes, hay and introduced grasses were cultivated in the shire. Tea, hops and wine grapes were all briefly grown in the late 19th century. After World War I heavy industry moved into the area, particularly at Doveton where a lace and handkerchief factory opened in 1950, an International Harvester Company plant in 1952 and, in 1955, a General Motors car plant and the H.J. Heinz factory. The suburb was created by the Housing Commission in the 1950s to provide low-cost housing for the factory employees.

In January 1959 the farm scenes for the Hollywood film 'On the Beach' were shot on the Wilson's property. 230 personnel were involved including Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins, Donna Anderson, Lou Perkins and producer Stanley Kramer.

Berwick was declared a city in 1973 with a view to becoming a satellite to Melbourne. It has recently been incorporated into the larger City of Casey.

Things to see:  

The Berwick Inn
The Berwick Inn, at the corner of High St and Lyall Rd, was licensed at Berwick in 1857 as the Border Hotel. The original one-storey section is now the bar. The two-storey section was added in 1877 as the railway approached. The western section was built later in the century. The first licensee was Robert Bain who owned the town's first store/post office and donated the land on which the shire hall was later built.

The Border Hotel was an important local centre in the early days. Aside from being the first pub on the townsite it was also a stopping place for coaches en route to Gippsland. Bain was the first secretary of the Berwick Roads Board (the first form of local government) and its initial meetings were held at the hotel from 1862 to 1865. The first local police court was held at the hotel in 1865 and it also served as a licensing court.

Library
Also in High St is the Berwick Mechanics Institute and Free Library, built in 1862 at the corner of Peel and Edward Streets. In return for a nominal rent Robert Bain agreed, in 1878, to lease a block of his land to the library for 500 years, so long as a library remained on the property for that period. In 1880 it was moved to its present site and extended the following year.

Berwick Post Office

Former Post Office
At the corner of High St and Gloucester Avenue is the former post office, built in 1884-85. It is now in private hands. The first Berwick post office was established in the general store in the late 1850s.

St Margaret's School
St Margaret's is an attractive school located on a tree-clad slope in Gloucester Avenue. The cluster of buildings includes 'The Cottage', built in 1878 and the home of MLA B.B. Pearson, built in 1911. The school was established in 1920 as the Berwick Presbyterian Girls' School. It was amalgamated with St Margaret's Girls' School at Toorak in 1930 but is now coeducational. Nearby is 'Edrington', the former home of Lord and Lady Casey, both being among the school's benefactors.

Former Rechabite Hall
The former Rechabite Hall, just up the hill from the old post office, in High St, was built in 1886. It later served as an RSL Hall.

Former Church of Christ
On the south side of High St, above the old post office, is the former Church of Christ building, erected in 1886. The church made inroads at Berwick when a peripatetic evangelist stopped there for shoe repairs, en route to Pakenham, and began preaching to a crowd. Initially, services were held in the homes of residents. A wooden chapel was built in Peel St in 1874 but it proved inadequate.

Presbyterian Church
On High St, at the top of the hill, is the former Presbyterian Church. It was built in the 1880s to replace the 1857 original. The fact that the Presbyterians were the first to establish themselves at Berwick reflects the Scottish origins of many of the early settlers. There is a back entrance from 48 Wilson St.

The Old Cheese Factory Complex
The old cheese factory is a two-storey structure built of hand-made local bricks in the 1860s. The construction style is unique in the district. Built at the same time as the factory are the homestead and the kitchen/wash-house. The factory is now an art gallery and the kitchen is a craft shop. There is a fine 2-ha English garden with lawns, a formal herb garden, shady trees, an ornamental pond and historic displays. A cafe is due to open on-site later in the year 2000. Special events are held throughout the year, including jazz performances, a Mothers' Day Heritage Garden Picnic and pantomimes in the school holidays.

'The complex is located at 34 Homestead Rd which runs off the Berwick-Cranbourne Rd just south of the freeway. It is to the right on the first rise. It is open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. There is an admission fee, tel: (03) 9702 1919.

Kerry Anne's Akoonah Park Gallery
This gallery is located at 1 Cardinia St at Berwick, tel: (03) 9707 4561.

Wilson Botanic Park
Wilson Botanic Park covers 36 ha. Walking paths meander through some exceptional terrain including cliffs, gorges, valleys, lakes and a North-American-style marsh. There is plenty of birdlife about and some endangered plant species. There are picnic areas, toilets, a playground and barbecues. The park is open daily from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with hours extended to 8.00 p.m. during daylight savings. It is closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday, tel: (03) 9707 5818. Admission is free. To access the park take the signposted turnoff from the old Princes Highway between Berwick and Narre Warren, adjacent the Berwick Retirement Centre.

Campbelltown Miniature Railway
This miniature steam and diesel railway offers pleasure rides through the countryside. It is located at 434 Belgrave-Hallam Rd at Narre Warren North and is open Sundays and public holidays and Wednesdays during school holidays, or by arrangement. Fees are charged per ride, tel: (03) 9796 8481.

The Melbourne Tank Museum
Nearby, at 456 Belgrave-Hallam Rd, is the Melbourne Tank Museum which features an undercover, hands-on display of tanks, armoured personnel carriers, guns, scout cars, jeeps and trucks. There are picnic and barbecue facilities and a coffee shop. It is open Sundays from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. There is an admission fee, tel: (03) 9796 8216 or (03) 9796 8188.

Narre Warren East
Duffys Picnic Area is located on Duffys Road at Narre Warren East. It is a recreational area offering excellent views of Cardinia Dam and the surrounding area. There are picnic, barbecue and toilet facilities.

There are a number of walking tracks at Crystal Brook Picnic Area, on Cardinia Creek Rd at Narre Warren East. There are picnic areas, parking facilities and toilets. Both are open weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. with closing time extended to 5.00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, tel: 131 963.

Myuna Farm
Myuna is a 20-ha farm which offers visitors an insight into farm life. There are animal and milking displays, an animal nursery, train and pony rides, walking and horseriding trails, wetland areas and picnic and barbecue facilities. It is located at 182 Kidds Rd, Doveton, and is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 9706 9944.

Cardi Country Orchard
Cardi Country Orchard, in Payne Rd, Beaconsfield, is a fruit farm specialising in peaches and nectarines (in season) and apples and pears all year round. It is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9707 1549.

Bunyip Byways Tourism Trail
The Bunyip Byways Tourism Trail is a self-drive tour which takes visitors through a range of attractions in the district, including historic sites and homesteads, natural landmarks, antique stores, golf courses and tea rooms. The trail is delineated by over 300 roadside guidance signs. It follows a circular route from Gembrook (see entry on Emerald) to Tooradin). A guiding map was printed but it is currently a little hard to get although you can try your luck by ringing the City of Casey, tel; (03) 9705 5200.

Markets
The Berwick Country Craft Markets are held on the third Sunday of the month from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at the Berwick Leisure Centre, next to Berwick High School in Manuka Rd. They are considered one of the state's largest craft markets. Special twilight markets are held on the first Friday of November and December from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9551 4083.

The Akoonah Park Craft Market is held on the Princes Highway at Berwick on Sundays from 8.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., tel: (03) 9796 1455.

The Hallam Spring Square Market is held at Hallam Spring Square, tel: (03) 9799 2256.

	Hotels
	Berwick Inn High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 1166
	Berwick Springs Hotel cnr Clyde & Greaves Rds Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 2288
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Berwick Garden B & B 101 Buchanan Rd Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 2525 Facsimile: (03) 9794 0675 Rating: ****1/2
	Restaurants
	AJ's Bar & Restaurant 130 Homestead Rd Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9702 5000
	Berwick Inn High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 1166
	Berwick Palace Chinese Restaurant High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 1779
	Berwick Thai Restaurant 32 High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9769 9809
	Casey's Of Berwick Restaurant Cnr Clyde & Homestead Rds Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9702 1909
	Chit Chats Teahouse 34 High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 3356
	Clover Cottage Restaurant Manuka Rd Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 1066
	Delfini Cafe Med 25 Princes Hwy Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 4449
	Dig Tree Restaurant 81 High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9768 9555
	Driftwood Tea Rooms & Restaurant 2-10 Reserve Rd Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 2455
	Food Star Family Restaurant 442 Princes Hwy Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9796 7788
	Jason's Terrace 104 High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 4999
	La Porchetta Pizza Restaurant cnr Princes Hwy & Verden Dve Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9704 0300
	McDonald's Family Restaurant cnr Clyde Rd & Kanga Dve Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9769 5355
	Scholars Inn 17 Blackburn Square Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 5696
	Shanikas Italian 55 High St Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 3511
	The Mexican House of Berwick Clyde Rd Berwick VIC 3806 Telephone: (03) 9707 2499