Harcourt
Small town at the foot of Mount Alexander.
Harcourt is a small town located in a valley at the foot of Mt Alexander (741 m) in the Central Highlands of Victoria, 120 km north-west of Melbourne on the Calder Highway and 30 km south of Bendigo.

The first European in the area was Major Mitchell on his journey into 'Australia Felix' in 1836-37. Reflecting an era steeped in classical history and literature, he named Mt Alexander after Alexander the Great due to its proximity to Mt Macedon, for Alexander was the son of Phillip of Macedonia. The Aborigines knew it as 'Lianganook'.

The first white settler in the region was a Dr Barker whose Ravenswood No.1 Run encompassed the present townsite. His homestead was located at what is now the northern end of town (the site is indicated by a roadside plaque on the eastern side of Eagles Rd, near Barkers Creek).

It was on this property that a shepherd named John Worley found gold in 1851. Subsequently, thousands of prospectors from around the globe descended on the Mt Alexander area. So prominent a destination was it that the road out of Melbourne was known as Mount Alexander Rd.

One arrival was notorious bushranger 'Mad Dog' Morgan who was arrested for the first time at Barker's Creek (just to the south-west of town) where he ran a slaughterhouse.

When the railway arrived in 1862 the line of road between Castlemaine and Bendigo shifted to meet it and the township of Harcourt emerged on that road.

Although the Harcourt Valley did not turn up the quantity of gold found in adjacent fields the climate and soils proved ideal for the cultivation of fruit and vegetables and it was in the Harcourt Valley that fresh food was first grown for the miners. Harcourt soon became known as one of the state's major apple centres. It also became known as a producer of high quality granite which has been used all over Australia. Granite from Harcourt was used for Parliament House in Canberra, the John Flynn Memorial at Alice Springs and the pedestal of the Burke and Wills statue in Melbourne.

Bladen Neill made an attempt to establish a Victorian silk industry on the slopes of Mt Alexander between 1873 and 1877. The venture, called the Ladies' Sericultural Company, was intended, in part, to offer employment to women.

The town's famous apple orchards are still the mainstay of the local economy and they have been joined, more recently, by several wineries. The Harcourt Applefest is held annually in autumn (on the March Labour Day long weekend) when the valley is at its best. There are street stalls, art shows, music, a parade, apple education tours, sporting events and a jazz concert in the Oak Forest on the western slope of Mt Alexander.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Castlemaine Visitor Centre, tel: (03) 5470 6200.

Eden Cottage
On the Calder Highway, opposite Market St, is Eden Cottage Tearooms and Antiques. Situated in pleasant surroundings it serves light lunches and Devonshire teas and is open Thursday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5474 3099.

Heritage Centre
On the other side of the road, where the Midland and Calder Highways cross, is the Heritage Centre which has a display relating to the history of the apple industry, particularly as it relates to Harcourt. There is a strong photographic collection. The centre also runs occasional tours of the area's heritage buildings and conducts family research. It is open on Sundays from 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. but will be readily opened at other times if you call (03) 5474 2463 or (03) 5474 2127.

Skydancers Orchid and Butterfly Gardens
Skydancers Orchid and Butterfly Gardens is Australia's only temperate butterfly house. There is also an extensive orchid display, a native plant garden, a nursery and a licensed BYO restaurant which serves home-style lunches. It is located at the corner of the Midland Highway and Blackjack Rd at the south-western edge of town and is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day but Tuesday. It is closed throughout July , tel: (03) 5474 2468.

Old Barkers Creek School
The Barkers Creek School was established in 1858. This old granite building is not the original schoolhouse but it is well over 100 years old. It is now a special school and is located at the end of School Rd which heads west off the Midland Highway, just south of Norris Orchards.

Old England Hotel
Continue south. Just past Specimen Gully Rd (which heads off to the right), and on the western side of the highway, is the splendid building known as the Old England Hotel which dates back to the early 1850s with additions made in 1864. Now a private residence it can clearly be seen from the roadside. Group tours can be organised by arrangement with the owners who have turned it into an award-winning tourism destination. They have also made a museum out of an old general store, tel: (03) 5474 2188.

Site of First Gold Discovery
Turn into Specimen Gully Rd (unsealed). About 2 km from the highway, on the left-hand side of the road, are the remnants of an old stone cottage which was occupied by a shepherd working on the original sheep station which was owned by a Dr Barker. A plaque indicates that the shepherd in question discovered gold nearby, which resulted in the local goldrush. Specimen Gully Rd continues on to the Calder Highway and can be entered from that end.

Blackjack Vineyards
At the south-eastern end of town, on the Calder Highway, is Blackjack Wines, established in 1988. It is a small operation producing shiraz cabernet and pinot noir with cellar door sales on weekends and public holidays while stocks are available, tel: (03) 5474 2355.

Harcourt Valley Vineyard
Virtually next door is Harcourt Valley Estate, situated in a fine building made of local granite. Established in 1976 it produces shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, riesling and chardonnay. The cellar door is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., tel: (03) 5474 2223. There are picnic and barbecue facilities. The winery hosts the Bendigo Easter Wine Taster on Easter Sunday and the National Chilli Cookoff on the last weekend in November.

Mt Alexander Vineyard
3 km north of town on the highway is Mount Alexander Vineyard and Harcourt Cidery which sells red and white table wines, apple champagnes, liqueurs, mead, pear ciders and apple ciders. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day with extended hours in summer., tel: (03) 5474 2262.

Oak Forest
Oak Forest is a popular picnicking area in the foothills of Mt Alexander, on its western side. It is also used as a venue for jazz concerts. Access is quite simple. Turn off the highway at the Shell Service Station into Market St. Continue on straight through the intersection as the road becomes Picnic Gully Rd (unsealed) which leads into Mt Alexander Regional Park. The site is signposted from this point.

Barkers Creek Reservoir
Barkers Creek Reservoir, built in 1870, is a good spot for those who like some peaceful country fishing. To get there follow Market St to its end but, instead of continuing east along Picnic Gully Rd, turn left into Reservoir Rd which ends at a T-intersection opposite the southern edge of the reservoir where there is a parking area.

Mount Alexander
Mount Alexander was the destination for thousands of prospectors during the goldrush era. Today it is the centrepiece of Mt Alexander Regional Park.

To get there, head out to the reservoir as already described. At the T-intersection turn right onto the Harcourt-Sutton Grange Rd. You will soon come to an intersection. Turn left, keeping to the bitumen. After 1 km turn right onto the bitumen road which ascends the mountain (it is signposted with a koala picture).

Near the top of the slope, just before you reach the communications towers, there is a side road on the left to Lang's Lookout from whence there are excellent views.

If you wish to do some bushwalking the West Ridge Track starts (or ends) at this point. It takes in Shepherds Flat Lookout and Dog Rocks, and concludes near the Koala Park. The track is quite well-defined.

If you wish to drive, a signpost further along the road will direct you off to the right to Dogs Rocks: an agglomeration of granite boulders surrounded by an unusual tree growth which also offers outstanding views.

A short distance further along the main road is the so-called 'Koala Park' (well-signposted) which was established with animals from Phillip Island. There are picnic facilities, toilets and a fenced-in path. If you wander around and look at the tree forks you will see one or two of the elusive and adored marsupials. However, be warned - they are, in actuality, not in much higher concentration here than on other part of the slopes.

Not far past the Koala Park the road bends quite sharply to the left as it drops off to the east. Set back in the bush, amidst a pine plantation, is a little Hansel-and-Gretel-style cottage built of granite blocks which is largely intact though lacking a roof. Once surrounded by mulberry trees, this is a remnant of Bladen Neill's failed attempt to establish a Victorian silk industry on the slopes of the mountain which would offer employment to women. The venture was abandoned in 1877. The relics are not visible from the road and there is, remarkably, no signage whatever associated with the site.

The road eventually reaches a T-intersection with the Faraday-Sutton Grange Rd. Turn right. After 3 km you will come to Faraday, situated on the Calder Highway. Turn right again to return to Harcourt. Of course this route can be taken in reverse.

$$HED

Jindarra Springs Vineyard

Located at 191 Fenton Drive, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes are the focus of this winery in the hills. Food is available. The vineyard is open daily from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5439 6026.

Ravenswood
Ravenswood is a very stately historic mansion which was built in 1857. It is set amidst five acres of English gardens and offers a bed-and-breakfast service for guests who can stay in the refurbished servants' quarters. It is located on the Calder Highway via Harcourt, tel: (03) 5435 3284.

	Motels
	Harcourt Motel Junction Calder & Midland Hwys Harcourt VIC 3453 Telephone: (03) 5474 2104 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Ayron & Dan Teed Bed & Breakfast Calder Hwy P.O. Box 48 Harcourt VIC 3453 Telephone: (03) 5474 2415 Rating: **
	Lodges & Chalets
	Granite Lodge Farm Retreat Calder Hwy Harcourt VIC 3453 Telephone: (03) 5474 2343
	Restaurants
	Harcourt Motel Junction Calder & Midland Hwys Harcourt VIC 3453 Telephone: (03) 5474 2104
	Skydancers Butterfly Restaurant Midland Hwy Harcourt VIC 3453 Telephone: (03) 5474 2468