Bacchus Marsh Heritage Trail

Bacchus Marsh is one of Victoria's oldest townships and was settled by William Henry Bacchus in 1839.Follow the Heritage trail for an insight into the town's history.

1.  The Avenue of Honour

The avenue of elm trees serves as a tribute to local people who enlisted in the First World War. The 281 trees were simultaneously planted on the call of a bugle in 1918.

The Avenue is significant - it's long, intact and is internationally recognised as a 'Living Memorial'. World wide Elm avenues are at risk from disease...or already lost! Bacchus Marsh is one step ahead with plans in place to ensure the Avenue's longevity- from basic tree maintenance to tree cloning programs and staged replanting.

Take a stroll down the Avenue and experience its majestic canopy.

2.  Bills Horse Trough (22 Main St, Bacchus Marsh)

The trough, outside the Royal Hotel, was donated by the estate of Annis and George Bills. The estate was to "...construct, erect and pay for horse troughs wherever they may be needed...for the reflief of horses and other dumb animals."

3.  Memorial to South African Volunteers (156 Main St)

The granite fountain lists local members of the Victorian Mounted Rifles who were, "...selected to serve their Queen and country in South Africa", in the Boer War of 1899-1902.

4.  ANA Building (154 Main St)

The Australian Natives Association conducted a wide range of activities in order to keep young blokes off the streets. In 1904 the brick facade was added to the wooden hall.

5.  Border Inn (139 Main St)

Opened in 1851. Original licencees, Crook and Watt, have been credited with providing the first coach services in Victoria.

6.  Bacchus Marsh Courthouse (123 Main St)

Built in 1858 from sandstone and used for trials by jury. Currently used as a Magistrates Court.

7.  Police Cells & Residence (119 main St)

Relocated to this site from the Police paddocks in Maddingley. The residence features fine decorative details.

8.  Simons Garage & Peter Carey (2-3 Grant St)

The site of the first motor garage in country Victoria. Upstairs residence the childhood home of author Peter Carey.

9.  Lone Pine Memorial (29-35 Grant St)

An Aleppo Pine, descendant of a tree from the WW1 Lone Pine battlefield at Gallipoli, Turkey, is in the grounds of the Bacchus Marsh and Melton Memorial Hospital.

10. Court House Hotel (116 Main St)

This 1911 building replaces the original single storey hotle operating since 1864. Began as a saddlers in 1857.

11.  The Express Office, Printing Works (8 Gisborne Rd)

The Express Newspaper was founded in 1866 and continued operation for 117 years. The buildings contain a collection of early printing technology. 

12. St Andrews Uniting Church (12 Gisborne Rd)

opened in 1865 and originally a Presbyterian Church.  This is the oldest of three churches in bacchus marsh.