Heritage

Moorabool has a rich heritage - both natural, social and built. As you tour through Moorabool take note of the the rich natural landscapes, evidence of early European settlement and wonderful heritage buildings still in use today.

The Landscape

Moorabool is characterised by mountain ranges of the Great Divide, forests, and open volcanic plains.

Volcanic cones dot the landscape such as Mt Buninyong, Mt Warrenheip and Mt Steiglitz. Valleys and rocky escarpments were formed by the Greendale, Rowsley and Spring Creek faults.

These diverse formations give rise to creeks and the Lerderderg and Werribee Rivers.

Mineral Springs

The area is also defined by its abundance of mineral springs. Springs can be found at Millbrook, Ballan, Blackwood, and at Spargo Creek.

The Kulin Nation and The Wuthaurung Community

The Kulin Nation, the original inhabitants of Moorabool, prospered in an area of over two million hectares of which the Wathaurung community inhabited the western plains and main areas of Moorabool.

The Kulin people beleif is that they were created by the Bunjil spirit which takes the form of an Eagle. Lal Lal Falls is of particular spiritual importance and is known as the resting place of Bunjil.

The Wathaurung led a nomadic life whic spread from Moorabool to Port Phillip and the Central Victorian areas. 

European settlement brought dramatic changes to the lives of the Wauthaurung which led to the death of the last member in 1885.

The names of places, creeks, hills and rivers that identify the area with its indigenous past. Lal Lal (both the place and the falls) for example, means 'dashing of waters'.

Settlement

John Norman Mcleon (1837) was the first squatter to take up land in Moorabool. He was closely followed by von Steiglitx, Cowie, Stead and the Manifold brothers.

Many of these squatters exercised their rights to purchase land to establish runs. The Ballark and Yaloak Vale Runs still survive today as do Narmbool and Lal lal at Lal lal Falls. Narmbool is now owned by Sovereign Hill and operates as an educational facility and working farm.

The villages of Moorabool are filled with examples of early European settlement. Take the time to explore the streets, take the Heritage Trail and experience some of the history first hand.