Powder Magazine (1864), McIvor Range Reserve, Heathcote

Heathcote
Rural service centre at the foot of Mount Ida.
Heathcote, at the foot of Mt Ida, is situated amidst attractive bushland beside McIvor Creek, 109 km north of Melbourne via the Northern Highway, 47 km south-east of Bendigo and 220 m above sea-level. Its population is about 1800. The principal products of the district are wool, timber, cattle, honey and wine.

Heathcote is clustered around High St (the Northern Highway) which presents an interesting and diverse streetscape of old shopfronts, hotels, churches, some distinguished homes and the post office. The trees which line the main street and the plantation at Queens Meadow were planted in the 19th century on the advice of Baron von Mueller who made a significant contribution to Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

A number of prehistoric quarry sites have been found at Mt Camel Range, to the north of Heathcote, providing evidence of ancient Aboriginal associations with the land. It is thought that the Wuywurrung Aborigines inhabited the district prior to white settlement.

The first Europeans in the area were the exploratory party of Major Mitchell who passed through in 1836. Mitchell named McIvor Creek after a member of his party and this title was later applied to the shire.

Pastoralists soon moved into the area and a track (with a couple of roadside inns) developed through what would later become the townsite, along which produce was carted to and from the northern sheep stations.

However, the town itself developed on the back of a series of goldrushes along McIvor Creek which commenced in 1851. One of the major strikes (1852) was at Golden Gully (behind Heathcote's old courthouse). By 1855 the alluvial gold was running out and reef mining had commenced. Consequently, the population dropped to about 6000 by 1860 as ex-miners took up land or began timbergetting in the forests - an industry much aided by the arrival off the railway later in the century.

The town was apparently named by Lord Heathcote; not in honour of himself but because of the quantities of heath growing in the district - if that is plausible.

At the peak of the goldrushes there were allegedly 35 000 people, largely housed in tents and shanties on the fields. 3000 Chinese walked to the diggings from Robe in South Australia where they had disembarked to avoid paying a tax levied upon Chinese disembarking at Victoria. There were also three breweries, 22 hotels, two flour mills, reflecting the emergence of wheat-cultivation in the district, a bacon factory, a hospital and several wineries.

Although the population remained steady until the 1880s it was down to 1090 by 1891 as gold reserves dwindled. Other local mining communities were Balmoral (later known as 'Redcastle') which once had 17 000 people but ceased to exist when mining ended around 1910. Costerfield, 12 km north-east, once employed 700 men but closed down in 1925. At one time it produced 92 per cent of the state's antimony. Greytown, 30 km north-east, allegedly had 60 000 on its fields but was short-lived.

In 1910 the Duigan brothers made Australian aviation history when they built and flew the first Australian-made aircraft at Mia Mia, 18 km south-west of town. However, the achievement must be kept in perspective. The contraption lifted off the ground for a total of seven metres.

The Heathcote Bush Market is held on the first Saturday of the month in the centre of town. There is a Bush Carnival at Heathcote Showgrounds (at the corner of Cauldwell and Chauncey Sts) in September with fun activities, a bush market, pony and horse rides, live country music and family games. The Golden Grape Festival occurs in October and the agricultural show in November.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The town's information centre is located at the corner of High and Barrack Sts. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5433 3121.

McIvor Range Reserve
From the information centre you can walk along Barrack St past Lions Park and the swimming pool, over McIvor Creek (a good fishing spot). Take the signposted right turn past Queens Meadow (where you will find a caravan park in a forest setting) and the Valley of the Liquidambers to the reserve.

Powder Magazine
Within Range Reserve is the old powder magazine which was built in 1864 to store gunpowder used in gold mining and quarrying. The fine stonework is a notable feature and it is considered a rare example of its type.

Viewing Rock
A track leads past the powder magazine to Viewing Rock, a rocky outcrop which offers expansive views of the town and area. A more direct but arduous route is past the Scout Hall.

Devil's Cave
Another track in the reserve leads to Devil's Cave, occupied by prospectors as far back as 1864. It leads up a gentle incline through a forest. The route is signposted from the Valley of the Liquidambers. There are some good views of the town en route and wildflowers in season.

Camp Hill Gaol
The town's original gaol was built in 1853 but a breakout in 1859 led the commissioner of police to order a new structure and Camp Hill Gaol (1861) was the result. It is located opposite the corner of Barrack and Hospital Sts.

Heathcote Hospital
Adjacent is the hospital. The original section was built of sandstone in 1859.

Pink Cliffs

Pink Cliffs
Pink Cliffs Rd runs off Hospital St. It leads past deep canyons and gorges which were created by sluice mining in the gold days. The colours of the cliffs range from bright pink to yellow and golden ochre. There are a number of paths through the reserve and a picnic area.

Mount Ida Lookout
At the northern edge of town the Northern Highway branches off to the right, heading north to Elmore. Along here is a signpost directing you along a good gravel road to the Mt Ida Lookout (450 m) which offers excellent views of the district.

Lake Eppalock
Where the Northern Highway branches off, the main road continues north-west to Bendigo as the McIvor Highway which leads right by the eastern shore of Lake Eppalock, the state's fourth-largest reservoir with a dam wall measuring 700 m long and 50 m high. Eppalock was built for irrigation and flood-control purposes and has been developed as a recreation area. The Moorabbee Foreshore Rd offers fine views of the Derrinal Pool which is popular with anglers, swimmers, yachting enthusiasts and power-boaters. There is a boat ramp as well as toilets and dressing sheds.

Yabby Farm
The Central Victorian Yabby Farm is located 3 km south of Heathcote on the Northern Highway. You can investigate how they are farmed or buy some, tel: (03) 5433 2332.

Duigan Memorial
On the Mia Mia-Lancefield Rd, west of town, is a memorial which commemorates the occasion in 1910 when the Duigan brothers built and flew the first Australian-made aircraft.

Heathcote Winery
Heathcote Winery, established in 1978, is located at the northern end of town (185 High St). It produces viognier, chardonnay, shiraz and the Seventh Horse Range and is housed in an old Cobb & Co coaching house and miner's store (c.1850s). The cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, tel: (03) 5433 2595.

Zuber Estate
One kilometre north along the highway is Zuber Estate, established in 1971. It produces shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay and is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5433 2142.

Jasper Hill
Head north along the highway for another 5 km then turn left into Drummonds Lane. Along here is Jasper Hill which was established in 1975. It produces shiraz and riesling and is open on weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., between August and October, when the wines are released. At other times ring before making a visit, tel: (03) 5433 2528.

Huntleigh Vineyards
Return to the highway and continue north for another kilometre turning left into Tunnecliffs Lane for Huntleigh Vineyards which was established in 1975. It produces dry red and white wines including cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, traminer and riesling. The cellar door is open weekends, public holidays and most weekdays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., tel: (03) 5433 2795.

Wild Duck Creek Estate
Wild Duck Creek Estate is located 5 km west of town in Spring Flat Rd. It produces a cabernet bordeaux blend, a shiraz and a merlot and the cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on weekends and, with prior arrangement, on weekdays, tel: (03) 5433 3133.

Eppalock Ridge
Eppalock Ridge Vineyards, established in 1976, is located west of Heathcote near Lake Eppalock in North Redesdale Rd (on the Coliban River). It produces rich, full-flavoured red wines and is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily but be sure to ring first (a) to make sure they know you're coming and (b) to obtain directions, tel: (03) 5425 3135.

Osicka Wines
Osicka Wines, established in 1955, is noted for its award-winning reds and port. It is 24 km east off the Heathcote-Nagambie Rd and is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day but Sunday when the hours are 12.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5794 9235.

Munari Wines
Munari Wines, established in 1992, is 13 km north of Heathcote at the corner of the Northern Highway and Schoolhouse Lane. It produces shiraz, a cabernet blend, chardonnay, riesling and traminer. The cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. weekends and, by appointment, on weekdays, tel: (03) 5433 3366.

Barnadown Run
Further north, at 290 Cornella Road, Toolleen, is Barnadown Run which produces six varieties of red and white wine. It is open weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and, by appointment, from Tuesday to Friday, tel: (015) 321 404.

	Motels
	Commercial Motel/Hotel 139 High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2944 Rating: **
	Heathcote Motor Inn 257 High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2655 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Heathcote Hotel High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2050
	Union Hotel High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2032
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Emeu Inn Restaurant, B&B and Wine Centre 187 High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2668 Facsimile: (03) 5433 4022 Rating: ****1/2
	Gilgai On Campaspe 11748 Barnadown Rd Elmore Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5432 6261
	Cottages & Cabins
	Down the Track Lot 10 Travers Lane Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: 0408 352 827, 0408 367 037
	Lodges & Chalets
	Heathcote Country Lodge 9 Hunter St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2409 Facsimile: (03) 5433 4022 Rating: ***1/2
	Caravan Parks
	Queen Meadow Caravan Park Barrack St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2304 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Commercial Motel/Hotel 139 High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2944
	Emeu Inn Restaurant, B&B and Wine Centre 187 High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 2668 Facsimile: (03) 5433 4022
	Heathcote Palace Chinese Restaurant High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 3722
	Cafés
	Fetching Treasures Cafe 107 High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 3080
	Gaggle of Geese 97B High St Heathcote VIC 3523 Telephone: (03) 5433 3982