An old shop in the main street of Inglewood

Inglewood (including Kingower and Bridgewater-on-Loddon)
Historic goldmining town situated on the Calder Highway west of Bendigo
Inglewood is located on the Calder Highway 195 km north west of Melbourne and 45 km north west of Bendigo. Its fame rests on its importance as one of Victoria's many lucrative gold mining towns during the great goldrushes of the 1850s and 1860s.

The area around Inglewood was first explored by Major Thomas Mitchell who passed through the area in 1836. By 1840 it had been settled by graziers who sprawled over vast areas of land with their huge herds of sheep. The Inglewood area was occupied by the Glenalbyn and Brenanah stations which were purchased in 1853 by the Reverend William Hall who had been born near Inglewood Forest in England. A section of Glenalbyn reminded him of his birthplace and he renamed it Inglewood.

It was at Inglewood in November, 1859 that Hall's nephews, Joseph, Alexander and Thomas Thompson, discovered gold. Overnight the area was overrun by thousands of gold prospectors. It became known as 'Halls Diggings' but Hall insisted the new town be called Inglewood. This town was called 'Old Inglewood' when, in early 1860, another goldfield was discovered. It was called 'New Inglewood'. The two towns were linked by Commercial Street and, at their height, there was an estimated 35,000 people in the area.

It did not take long for the alluvial gold to run out but the reefs of gold in the area were remarkably rich. The Columbian line yielded a staggering 13,000 ounces of gold from the first 1,000 tons of ore mined and subsequently it continued to average around 6,500 ounces per 1,000 tons.

The township of Inglewood, now located at New Inglewood, was surveyed in 1860. Many of the streets were named after members of parliament. The first council was elected in 1861. Roads were built, water was reticulated to the town, but in December 1862 a fire destroyed a large part of the town including ten pubs which were destroyed in 30 minutes (is this a dubious world record?).

The town, which had been built of wood and canvas, was rebuilt in brick and most of the historic buildings date from this rebuilding period. The 'golden days' were now over and the people who stayed on made their living by servicing the surrounding rural district. Until the 1960s the town was a major service centre. In recent times it has declined in importance because of the easy proximity of Bendigo.

Things to see:  

St Marys Church of England, Kingower

Historic Buildings
St Augustine's Church of England at 67 Sullivan Street was completed in 1867. It is an unusual and attractive Gothic Revival building with large buttresses. The courthouse, which dates from this period, has been turned into a museum which is open by appointment.

Water Wheel Vineyard
8 km south-east of Inglewood is the small settlement of Bridgewater-on-Loddon where you can enjoy fishing and waterskiing. Water Wheel Vineyard, established in 1972, specialises in sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. It is signposted off Lyndhurst St and is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekdays, 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from midday to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5437 3060.

Eucalyptus Oil
Take the road that heads west out of Inglewood towards Melville Caves and Moliagul. 7.5 km from Inglewood is a turnoff on the left into Eucy Still Road which is the site of a remaining eucalyptus factory. Eucalyptus oil has been produced in the Inglewood area for over a century.

Vines at the Passing Clouds Winery

Passing Clouds Winery
11 km west of Inglewood, at the locality of Kingower, is a turnoff, on the right, into Kurting Road. A very short distance along this road (visible from the main road) is Passing Clouds Winery, established in 1974. It specialises in fine red wines, including cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and pinot noir. Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, grenache and sparkling ondine are also available. The cellar door is usually open daily but it is advisable to ring before visiting, tel: (03) 5438 8257. There is a picnic area with barbecue facilities.

St Mary's
Slightly further west along the main road, just beyond the turnoff to Passing Clouds Winery, on the left-hand side of the road, is St Mary's Anglican Church, a Gothic Revival stone church dating from 1870-71.

Blanche Barkly Wines
Slightly further along the main road are Blanche Barkly Wines who produce shiraz and cabernet. They are open weekends but can be visited on weekdays by prior appointment. At the moment the winery has sold out of stock and so will reopen to the public in June 2000, tel: (03) 5438 8223. The Blanche Barkly gold nugget (49.5 kg) was found in this vicinity in 1857 during the Kingower goldrush.

Kangderaar Vineyard
Another 4 km west (15 km west of Inglewood) take the turnoff on the right signposted for Kangderaar Vineyard and Melville Caves. After a further 3 km there is another signposted turnoff on the right into the driveway of Kangderaar which is a small vineyard and winery situated within Kooyoora State Park. Established in 1980 it specialises in chardonnay wines although, in most years, there are small quantities of a very dry riesling and traminer blend. There is also a cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend. They are open daily from 10.00 a.m., tel: (03) 5438 8292. If you continue along the main road, instead of turning into the winery driveway, it soon leads to another signposted turnoff on the right to Melville Caves.

	Motels
	Inglewood Motel 196 Calder Hwy P.O. Box 4 Inglewood VIC 3517 Telephone: (03) 5438 3232 Rating: ***
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Kooyoora Park Retreat Brenanah-Wehia Rd Inglewood VIC 3517 Telephone: (03) 5438 3428
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Kooyoora Park Retreat Brenanah-Wehia Rd Inglewood VIC 3517 Telephone: (03) 5438 3428
	Caravan Parks
	Inglewood Caravan Park 196 Calder Hwy Inglewood VIC 3517 Telephone: (03) 5438 3232
	Restaurants
	Inglewood Motel 196 Calder Hwy P.O. Box 4 Inglewood VIC 3517 Telephone: (03) 5438 3232