Now Australia may not be as old as Ancient Rome and the medieval fortress towns within Europe however this tiny toddler of a nation of mine can still pack a mighty punch.
There are so many towns scattered around this country with history dating back to colonial times. Having just recently celebrated Australia Day, it seems fitting to share a tiny piece of my country.
Coming home from our recent camping trip to the Murray and Mitta Mitta we detoured into the old gold mining town of Chiltern, located just off the Hume Highway, about 32kms from Wodonga.
Blink and you’ll miss it, it’s one of those towns. This is the railway station.
But it’s worth a visit, with its rich gold mining history and 21 heritage listed buildings that line the Main Street.
Wander through town and check out the Grape Vine Hotel which boasts the largest grape vine in Australia, planted in 1867.
A few years ago we camped at Chiltern over a long weekend when a pro rodeo was in town. The streets came to life with horses, cowboys, stock whips and western action.
Tash, our young horse mad daughter at the time, was enthralled at the excitement of the whole event. The next day however all was tranquil again.
It’s that sort of town.
Quiet, sleepy yet with an undercurrent of action when something exciting hits town.
You know, like those western movies when all is silent, then suddenly a gun slinging cowboy comes sauntering out of a saloon.
Instead, here it’s just little ole me.
I’m hardly a cowgirl but it’s a place that inspires movie buffs.
The town’s been used in a few Australian classics, like Disney’s Ride a Wild Pony.
Little wonder as there are plenty of old historic buildings with colorful facades that look straight out of a movie set.
However, they’re the real deal. Few props are needed here.
Cafes, pubs, museums and and quirky gift shops make for an easy afternoon amble.
Even on the Australia Day holiday weekend it was quiet.
No cowboys were around on this day.
If there was one place buzzing with activity it was the Bakery along Main Street. Now this is one place you can’t miss.
Home made pies, apple turnovers, shortbreads and custard tarts to die for!
There’s nothing old about the pastries and cakes here. They’re all made fresh on the premises every day and are absolutely delicious.
I know. I sampled a few.
Time is slow and sweet here. It’s the sort of place where you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Who’d think that so close to a busy major highway could be such a tranquil little township with such a big old heart.
So if you’re travelling the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne look out for the Chiltern turnoff.
It’s worth it.
It’s proof once again that if you look beyond the ordinary you can find something worthwhile and extraordinary.
In something old there’s always something new to discover.
Take the road less traveled and who knows what little gems you might find.
Happy travelling everyone and have a wonderful week ahead.
Sharing for Frank’s TBC: Old
and also for Jo’s Monday Walks
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Outanabout YOLO “You only live once”
great shots and love the cliches at the end 🙂
Reminds me of why I love the outback so much … know that area fairly well as I lived in Deniliquin [Deni] for years 🙂
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Haha, yeah I had to throw in some cliches. Well, there you go, I didn’t know you were an ex-Deni girl … 😏
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love the outback and miss the down to earth folk that I was blessed to meet there!
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I can imagine. There’s something very special and down to earth about outback places I agree.
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the places, the people, the whole community spirit .. was only 7,000 when I lived there and my sister wondered how everyone knew she was a visitor … but if they don’t know you they know of you 🙂
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Love the photos…I used to live in Wodonga just up the road…a great little town Chiltern often missed. My carers brother and wife and daughter (a paralympian) go there every christmas. Isis also does dressage there as well. They love it…
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That’s so cool. It’s a great place isn’t it? But sounds like I don’t need to convince you. You know first hand … 😏
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Great photos and post. History can be so interesting , thanks for the share.
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Just love the old town atmosphere that oozes through in these images! Almost like you found a ghost town that has been preserved over the century!
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Almost, although it’s still got a lot of life underneath that quiet surface. Thanks Frank.
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Star Bar, kind of a poetic little town it appears. Thanks for the tour. 🙂
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Yes, I think so Maverick. There’s a touch of the poet in there. 🙂
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Quaint and lovely Chiltern. Thanks again Miriam.
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No worries Barbara. Have you ever been?
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I like the look of this place – quiet character and enough going on to stick around for a while. Great photos and descriptions, thanks, Miriam.
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You’re very welcome PC. There’s actually so much more around Chiltern that I didn’t even mention, forests, waterfalls, wineries not too far away … 🙂
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Great pictures Miriam, as usual 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week too!
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Thanks so much. You too! 🙂
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GREAT POST and AWESOME photos!
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It’s fun to know more a bit of your country Miriam..i almost didn’t realized that your country like any others had a beautiful history to tell, yes despite if the fact that it may not be as ancient as Rome nor as old as Greece..
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It seems so quiet but lovely/
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Thanks. Another Victorian town for me to explore. Looove the railway station.
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Thanks Coral. It’s quaint isn’t it?
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So quaint looking. I was thinking of the old TV show “Gunsmoke” before reading your comment about it looking like a town out of an old western. Very nice pics.
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Thanks Steph. Gunsmoke was a bit of a classic wasn’t it?
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Yes, it was.
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I’m glad that some small towns are keeping their historical buildings, signs, etc…
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Absolutely and there’s a few of them around.
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Miriam, I was reading and looking at your photos and kept thinking it was just like a movie set when you said exactly that!! I wouldn’t at all have been surprised to see a cowboy riding down the road, the odd gun battle taking place. Wonderfully atmospheric photos and a gem of a town-thank you for sharing!😀
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Haha, great minds think alike! I’m glad you enjoyed this Annika. 🙂
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That is certainly history
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It is indeed Derrick.
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Amazing how much it looks like a small town here in Texas. I would love to visit.
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Really? The world’s a small place isn’t it.
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Oh I remember stopping by Chiltern many years ago Miriam. It’s such a cute little town, and that bakery is the best. It’s wonderful to step back in time in magical places like Chiltern. 😉
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Sure is Lorelle. Thanks 🙂
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Great photos.
Did you have a gold rush in Australia like we did in the 1840s in California?
Have a wonderful week
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Thanks Andrew. Yes we did. We had a number of gold rushes in Australia that turned small colonies into more progressive cities. Lots of interesting history here.
Have a great week yourself. x
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I guess the rushes happened all over the world, whenever gold was discovered.
Thanks
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Absolutely. 🙂
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What a sweet, fun town! Such a crowd at the train station…hehe. Did you practice your sauntering before coming out of the saloon? Oh that bakery did look yummy…what did you have? I can see why Disney would use that setting for a movie, it’s perfect. Hard to believe they had a rodeo there, that must have been such fun…especially for Tash! Did you mine any gold??? Love the Dow’s Chemist & Druggist…Horse & Cattle Medicine…what about people medicine? Lol…it looks like the perfect town if you’re looking for some peace and quiet oh and maybe some gold or a long grape vine. xo 🙂
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Funny you mentioned mining gold cos Doug did do some panning in the river the day before. We met a man and his family and this guy had all the equipment. Lots of fun though unfortunately Dougy didn’t unearth too many riches. The whole trip was lovely and dropping in at peaceful Chiltern on the way home was just a little added extra and a nice lunch stop. What did we eat, mm let’s see … Cornish pasties, I had a big fat egg and salad sandwich and we also tried out the shortbreads and custard tarts. All so yum. Hope you’ve had a good start to your week. Big sauntering hugs xo 🙂
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Ohhh send him back, tell him to try harder…lol!! The trip does sound like it was so wonderful, especially with Bella and all. My week has started off pretty well….so excited about this week…between the Moon and Planting Dreams it’s an extra exciting week!! You made me laugh out loud with your sauntering hugs…hehe!! Big sauntering hugs back xo 🙂
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Smiling here too. Yes, I’m excited for this week as well, even amongst all my insurance woes. Hope the sky clears a bit so we can see the moon. At the moment it’s forecast to be cloudy till Thursday. Hugs xo
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That town looks so quaint and lovely. I love a good laid-back town. 🙂
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Me too. Thanks Amy. 🙂
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Gorgeous little town isn’t it?
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Sure is.
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”In something old there’s always something new to discover.”
❤ that Miriam!
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Thanks heaps Nikki 🙂
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What a nice looking little town, Miriam, and that is the dinkiest railway station I ever saw. 🙂 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. With a cake shop like that it absolutely qualifies for a Monday walk. 🙂 Not sure when it will appear on the blog. I am restricting my online time over here. It’s nice to step back for a while. But it’ll be up sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thanks a lot!
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Thanks Jo and no worries at all about the blog, a step back and time to just ‘be’ and enjoy life is always nice. And yes, that bakery was pretty damn good! 😀 xo
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Love the photography! Makes me want to visit this quiet little town 🙂
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Thanks Isha 🙂
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I love exploring old and charming towns, and Chiltern is exactly that. The architecture of the houses is astonishing, Miriam! Thanks for bringing this place closer. 😉
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Love finding these off the beaten track places. We may not be old in western terms, but our indigenous people can set a record for ancient culture, but they haven’t any monuments to show for it.
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That’s very true.
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We love exploring little country towns like this – it’s now added to our list. Thanks, Miriam.
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No worries Carol. Have a good weekend.
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You too.
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So loved the atmosphere of this old town, it was wonderful to explore and walk down the street with you Miriam.. And loved those old looking type shop signs above the stores.. ❤ xx
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Thanks Sue. Nice to have you along for the company. xo ❤️
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Love that tiny little train station. It’s adorable. 😁
“In something old there’s always something new to discover.” I stopped and pondered that line for a moment. How true that really is! If you take a moment to genuinely look past the obvious, it’s amazing what you might discover. That’s one of the most delightful joys of life. 😊
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I know, I agree, but sometimes we forget don’t we? Or we take things for granted.
Yep, that train station was cute, no doubt. 🙂
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I love Chiltern and all those little towns on the road less travelled Miriam! I just wish I’d been around when you were up my way so we could have caught up again. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Chiltern and your photos show it just as it is, a small sleepy town. A great read 🙂
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Thanks Deb. I thought of you when we were up at Walwa. There’ll be another time though. I just love it up there. So beautiful. 🙂
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Great presentation Miriam!!! Indeed, that town looks and feels like old American towns with County Sheriffs…I am sure that Old Chiltern is a place where everybody knows everybody and community help is a must!
It can easily make us think about how big towns have become so anonymous and selfish!!
Cheers!
François…Or Frank…Or Frankie!!! HAHA!!
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Hey Frankie, my delightful French friend. Thank you for your lovely comments on old Chiltern town where you’re probably right, everybody knows everybody. Your presence on my blog always brightens my day. Cheers and merci xo 🙂
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Always a pleasure to be part of your little wonderful travels!!!!
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Ah, wonderful! 💖
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oh wow . . so glad I discovered this thanks to Jo. Looks such a fun place to explore, tad hot though by the looks of it!!
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It was a pretty hot day when we visited. Thanks for traipsing along Becky!
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