Clunes is a remarkably well-preserved relic in the Goldfields region and its wide main street is lined with heritage buildings and original frontages from the gold rush era. Once the fifth-largest settlement in the state, Clunes appears much as it did in the 19th century, only with the addition of restaurants serving locally produced cuisine and wines, indulgent holiday lodgings and a fun-filled annual festival dedicated to books.
Stroll through a piece of living history on Clunes’ main street. Wide enough to turn a horse and cart, this street is characterised by its ornate shopfronts with broad awnings and charming hand-painted signage. Stop by the Clunes Visitor Information Centre, housed within a 1870s schoolhouse, to learn about the area’s history.
You might recognise Clunes from the Ned Kelly and Mad Max films, both of which used Clunes as a set for an authentic Australian outback town. Check out Clunes’ various antique shops and bookstores. Artists, writers, historians, bushwalkers and gold prospectors can be found amid the town’s cosy bars. Stop by the stately old Italianate Post Office, which dates back to 1878 and now houses a second-hand bookshop.
If it’s books you’re seeking, don’t miss the chance to see Clunes come alive as an International Booktown. The only town in the Southern Hemisphere with this status, Clunes is transformed into a hotspot for the printed word each May. The Clunes Booktown Festival draws over 60 booksellers to set up shop within the heritage bluestone buildings all over town. Thousands of new, second-hand, collectable and antique books are bought and sold. Literature lovers will enjoy the festival’s events, which include author talks, book signings and exciting swap meets.
Clunes is 139 kilometres (86.4 miles) northwest of Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. The town is accessible by train on the railway line that connects Ballarat to Mildura.
A pleasant scenic drive a short distance west from Clunes will bring you to the charming town of Talbot. Here, you’ll find an excellent farmers’ market, held on the third Sunday of each month. Travel further to the Mount Beckworth Nature Reserve to find gorgeous native Australian bushland and a series of walking trails.
