The old grain silos and new Grain Container

Charlton
Small and attractive rural town on the Avoca River.
Charlton is a small and attractive rural town of tree-lined streets, situated on both banks of the Avoca River. Enormous grain silos denote the main local industry, although the Charlton feedlot is the largest beef lot producer in Victoria. Wool and fat lambs also contribute to the local economy. Charlton has a population of around 1300 people and is located 245 km north-west of Melbourne via the Calder Highway and 118 m above sea-level.

Prior to white settlement the Jaara Aborigines are thought to have inhabited the land. The first European settlers were Robert Cay and William Kaye who established the 'Charlton' station in 1848, naming it after a town in Greenwich in England. As the Avoca River represented the boundary between two districts, the eastern and western banks were subject to different commissioners of crown lands. For these reasons, the run was technically divided into East Charlton and West Charlton. Consequently, when a town developed on the eastern side of the river, adjacent a river crossing, it was known as East Charlton.

An inn was erected in 1863 and a bridge was added in 1867, facilitating the spread of the settlement to both sides of the riverbank. Thus the title 'East Charlton' became redundant but a name change to 'Charlton' was impossible until 1879 when another town named Charlton changed its name to Chute .

In the 1870s the large holdings were broken up and opened to selectors who established grain-growing. Two flour mills were consequently built in the 1870s.

An art show is held each year in October. The golf course, established in the early 20th century, features a clover-leaf design with three arms of six holes radiating out from the centre.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The local source of tourist information is the shire offices at 1 High St, tel: (03) 5491 1755.

The Golden Grain Museum

Charlton Golden Grain Museum
The Charlton Golden Grain Museum contains a collection of items relating to local history. It is located in the former mechanics' institute (1882), next door to the shire offices, and is open by appointment, tel: (03) 5491 1755.

Presbyterian Church
Opposite the museum is St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (1871).

Parks and Gardens
Also near the shire offices, on High St, are Elliott Gardens with its band rotunda and Rotary Park which has picnic-barbecue facilities.

Avoca River
A walking track (2 km one way) starts in High St and leads to Charlton Weir which offers opportunities for fishing and canoeing.

Wooroonook Lakes
Swimming, fishing and boating can be enjoyed at Wooroonook Lakes, 14 km west of town adjacent the road to Donald. There are camping and picnic facilities and the lake is stocked with redfin and trout.

	Motels
	Charlton Motel Calder Hwy Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: (03) 5491 1600 Rating: ***
	Foundry Palms Motel 86 High St Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: (03) 5491 1911 Facsimile: (03) 5491 1911 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Cricket Club Hotel High St Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: (03) 5491 1604
	East Charlton Hotel High St Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: (03) 5491 1613
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Vale of Avoca B&B cnr Calder and Borung Hwys Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: 1800 999 600, 0427 911 999 Facsimile: (03) 5491 2345 Email: notapub@valeofavoca.com.au
	Caravan Parks
	Gordon Park Caravan Park Calder Hwy Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: (03) 5491 1968 Rating: *
	Restaurants
	Charlton Motel Calder Hwy Charlton VIC 3525 Telephone: (03) 5491 1600