The Willows - a historic house

Melton
Satellite city with historic past
Melton has undergone rapid expansion since 1974 as the sprawl of Melbourne has transformed it into a residential satellite. It is located 42 km north-west of the city centre, just off the Western Freeway, at an altitude of 130 metres above sea-level.

Melton lies on a volcanic basalt plain and two extinct volcanoes can still be seen on the horizon. To the north-east is Mt Kororoit and to the south is Mt Cottrell. The latter, although only 200 metres high, spreads southwards from its summit for 10 km. It is the largest of the cones on the Werribee Plains.

Prior to European settlement the area was inhabited by the Woiwurung Aborigines. It was surveyed in 1837 and the first pastoral lease was taken up in 1838. The townsite developed in the early 1850s on the route to the goldfields of the Central Highlands. It was surveyed in 1852 and named after an English town by the name of Melton Mowbray. However, flooding problems saw the settlement quickly relocated to higher ground.

The district developed into a pastoral and agricultural region and was proclaimed a shire in 1871. The railway line from Melbourne arrived in 1884. From 1975 to 1984 Melton had the highest annual growth rate of any municipality in the state.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Local tourist information can be obtained from the Melton Visitor Information Centre at the Old Court House, 323 High St, tel: (03) 9746 7290.

Historic Buildings
Christ Church is an exemplary Gothic Revival structure built of random-coursed bluestone in 1864 for the Anglicans. The chancel was added in 1903. It is located in Unitt St.

The courthouse, at the corner of High and Palmerston Sts, dates from 1892.

Pluperfect Antiques
Pluperfect Antiques sell collectable Australiana - prints, china, pens, linen, fully restored furniture etc. They are open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) and Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and are located at Factory 1, 8-10 Norton Drive, tel: (03) 9747 0808.

Hannah Watts Recreation Reserve
Located in High St, this attractive recreation reserve is adjacent Toolern Creek. There are plenty of birds among the river red gums and a walking track and cycling trail, along with picnic, barbecue, toilets and playground facilities.

The Honey Shack
Also in High St (at no. 237) is The Honey Shack, situated within historic Raglan Cottage. This is essentially a bee farm where visitors can learn about beekeeping and purchase honey and bee-related products, including bulk and gourmet honeys, hand creams and a variety of gifts products and Aboriginal art, tel: (03) 9747 3277.

Melton Waves Leisure Centre
This indoor wave pool has a "rapid river", a "waterfall", "geysers", a 25-metre pool, a toddlers' pool, a spa and a hydrotherapy pool. It is located in Coburns Rd, tel: (03) 9743 5311.

Part of the Willows historic complex

Toolern Creek Heritage Trail
The pleasant environs of Toolern Creek are traversed by a self-guided heritage trail which is intended to convey a sense of how Melton was in the past. It takes in the former sites of the racecourse, the original townsite, Pennyroyal Creek Station and other establishments. A related pamphlet is available from the information centre, tel: (03) 9746 7290.

The Willows Historical Park
Located in Reserve Rd, on the east bank of Toolern Creek, 'The Willows' is an historic stuccoed stone-rubble residence which now houses historic memorabilia. The front section is the original homestead. It was probably built in the 1850s. The larger section is thought to date from the 1860s. Although this is essentially an unpretentious vernacular building it has been lavishly ornamented with quoins, keystones, voussoirs and chimneys with buttresses and dentils. It is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and Sundays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9746 7290.

The wedding chapel at Windmill Gardens Restaurant

Warrensbrook Faire
This precinct occupies 240 acres to the east of Melton. It incorporates several commercial ventures such as the Gamekeepers Secret Country Inn (tel: 03 9747 1000) and the Windmill Gardens Restaurant, which features the largest windmill in the Southern Hemisphere set amidst scenic gardens, water features and a traditional Dutch-style village, tel: (03) 9747 1100.

To get there head east along the Melton Highway for 6 km to the intersection with Leakes Rd.

Witchmount Estate Winery
Also at Warrensbrook Faire (557 Leakes Rd) is Witchmount Estate Winery , established in 1991,which produces chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and nebbiolo. The cellar door and restaurant are open from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday (book for wine tours) and public holidays from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9747 1155.

Galli Estate Winery
Warrensbrook Faire also boasts Galli Estate Winery which is open weekdays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and weekends from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The adjoining restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, tel: (03) 9747 1433.

Mt Atkinson Olive and Nut Grove
Mt Atkinson Olive and Nut Grove produces cold-pressed olive oil and marinated table olives. Fresh olive bread is available at the cafe. It is currently open weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and will soon be open daily. Mid-week group bookings are currently available. They are located at 261 Griegs Rd, Rockbank, tel: (03) 9747 1170.

Melton Reservoir
Melton Reservoir, on the Werribee River, is signposted from town. The access road runs off Exford Rd which heads due south of the city. It is a popular fishing spot and is home of the Melbourne Speedboat and Runabout Club. There are picnic, barbecue, playground, parking and toilet facilities. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9746 7290.

Parwan Estate Winery
This newly-established winery, situated on the banks of Melton Reservoir, is currently only open by appointment, tel: (0417) 008 617.

Long Forest Flora Reserve
This is the only naturally occurring patch of mallee south of the Great Dividing Range. At one time mallee scrub was common in the area but as the climate cooled most of it was supplanted by eucalypt forest. However, this reserve rests on a bed of shale and sandstone which is not conducive to eucalypts.

This area was first mapped in the 1830s by a surveyor who described it as 'barren forest hills'. There was an unsuccessful attempt to mine gold here and, late in the 19th century, timber was cut for milk factories at Bacchus Marsh. With subdivision proceeding 245 ha was set aside in 1981 in recognition of the site's ecological rarity.

The dominant species in the reserve is bull mallee although blue box can be found along Coimadai Creek and grey box and yellow gum on drier sites. The reserve also has turkey bush, fragrant salt-bush and some rare orchids. There are about 200 species of birds, as well as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, gliders and possums. Birdwatching, nature studies and bushwalking can all be enjoyed.

To get there head west of Melton along the Western Freeway for 6 km and take the right turn into Long Forest Rd at the turnoff signposted for Merrimu Reservoir. A short distance along, to the right, is the start of the Djerriwarrah Track. Slightly further north, to the left, is a gate which marks the start of the Old House Track. Continuing north, to the left, is the start of the Mallee Track. A little further north again, to the right, is Sundew Ave. Just past this, to the left, is a carpark and information shelter which marks the start of the Happy Valley Track. 2 km further north is a turnoff on the left into Canopus Circuit loop road. Along here, to the left, is a gate and an information shelter at the start of the Long Point Track. This is also the access point for the Steep Track and the Comidai Track. Some of the trails on the western side of the road intersect. Most are signposted along Long Forest Rd.

For further information contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment at Bacchus Marsh on (03) 5367 2922.

	Tourist Information
	Melton Visitor Information Centre 323 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9746 7290 Facsimile: (03) 9746 7439
	Motels
	Melton Motel 344 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 5599 Facsimile: (03) 9746 9510 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Golden Fleece Hotel 257 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 5220
	Mac's Hotel Melton 322-337 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 9566
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Cloud 8 Bed & Breakfast 350 Melton-Gisborne Rd Toolern Vale Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 5428 1245
	Cottages & Cabins
	Sundowner Caravan and Cabin Park Westerm Hwy Rockbank Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 1340
	Caravan Parks
	Sundowner Caravan and Cabin Park Westerm Hwy Rockbank Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 1340
	Restaurants
	Cara's Restaurant & Reception Centre 240 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 0322
	Delicious Chinese Restaurant 350 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 9555
	Golden Temple Restaurant 116 Mc Kenzie St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 1115
	KFC Lot 3 Barries Rd Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 0652
	La Porchette Family Pizza Restauant Woodgrove Shopping Centre Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 6777
	Mcdonald's Coburns Rd Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 8668
	Melton Palace Chinese Restaurant Wallace Square Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 8077
	Ming Wah Restaurant 377 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 4887
	Nagi Charcoal Chicken & Salad Bar 268 - 270 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9746 0688
	Ollie's Chicken 370 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 9821
	Ruby's Pizza & Pasta Bar 12-25 Station Rd Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 3166
	Skydragon Restaurant 260 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 5737
	Soba Noodle & Sushi Bar 276 High St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 8861
	Taco Bill Mexican Restaurants 87 Unitt St Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9743 1808
	Cafés
	Simply Dishy Cafe & Sandwich Bar 42 Bakery Sqr Melton VIC 3337 Telephone: (03) 9747 9287 Facsimile: (03) 9747 9287