Buninyong, The 1835 Gold Mining town (population 3,800) where the Ballarat Gold Rush began

A look and wander around the quaint early Gold mining Victorian town of BUNINYONG. Timeline ================================== 0:00 INTRODUCTION 01:45 NARRATION 04:10 CLUB HOTEL 04:20 BALLARAT BERTIE MURAL 04:45 MAIN SHOPS 06:30 TOWN HALL 07:46 CLASSIC MINERS COTTAGE 08:10 CLASSIC EDWARDIAN VILLA 08:25 MORE MODERN COUNTRY ESTATES 09:00 THOMAS HISCOCKS COTTAGE (1851) 10:00 OLD POST OFFICE (1873) 11:35 OLD BUNINYNG RAILWAY STATION 13:00 NETHERBY HOMESTEAD 14:30 UNITING CHURCH (1866) 16:07 OLD VICARAGE (1857) 17:30 METHODIST CHURCH 17:45 OLD METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL 18:05 DR LONGDENS HOUSE (1892) 18:17 CLIFTON VILLA (1867) 19:15 NUGGET HOTEL Nestled under the dormant volcanic dome of Mt Buninyong and sitting upon ancient lava flows and the remains of it's exploded crater , Buninyong predates Nearby Ballarat and , in it's day, was the largest inland settlement in Victoria Current Population 3,800 Surveyed in 1835 Proclaimed a town in June 1851 Gold was discovered nearby by local blacksmith Thomas Hiscock in early August 1851. It was from here that the Ballarat gold rush began. Another idyllic rural Victorian town. Numerous local estates and stylish homes bear testament to the rich legacy of the Ballarat Goldrush. In it's day Buninyong had 20 licensed venues ( can we call a tented bar a hotel) Buninyong lies at the foot of landmark Mt Buninyong, the old volcano that has signaled home to countless generations of local Wathaurung people and to the more recent settlers of the present township 11km south of Ballarat in Victoria. Enclosed by farmlands and wooded ridges, Buninyong's historic gold-era buildings and gardens give it a picturesque tranquility and charm. At the same time, its contemporary cafés, shops, markets, festivals and amenities all contribute to a spirited community life in the peace and beauty of the countryside. Founded in 1841, the little town was the earliest inland settlement in what was then the Port Phillip District of NSW. Buninyong's blacksmith dramatically changed its course in August 1851 when he discovered gold, starting a rush that gave birth to Ballarat and the enormous riches of the Victorian goldfields. Today, the "first-settlement" benefits from its proximity to the prosperous regional city of Ballarat, but Buninyong still proudly protects its independent identity. This is preserved by a strong sense of local community, our historic town centre and the encircling green belt of bushlands and farms, all presided over by our beloved Mount. Now a quaint sleepy but stylish rural community. #melbournedaytrips #ruralaustralia #goldmining