Avoca Heritage Walk
If it is history that you prefer, then there is no better way to experience the history of our towns that were established by the discovery of gold than by taking a self-guided historic walk. Wander Avoca's wide main street, past historic buildings, and discover the town's rich history at a leisurely pace. Many of the buildings lining the streets are still in their original condition.
You can also pick up historic walk information for the townships of Lexton and Moonambel from the Avoca Visitor Information Centre.
Avoca Heritage Walk Map
1. Avoca War Memorial, 1921
2. Albion House, c 1866. Now a private residence.
3. Avoca Newsagency, 1887 still operating today. This site was originally occupied by a hay and corn store. The present building was opened as a stationery shop. The store continues to operate as a newsagency.
4. Post Office, 1872 still operating today. The Post Office was built in 1872 and is one of Avoca's most prominent public buildings. It has provided an important service to the local community for over 120 years.
5. Albion Hotel, 1868. Now a tapas bar. This building formerly operated as a hotel from 1868. The hotel closed on New Years Eve in 1937. Since then has been used as a private residence.
6. State Savings Bank, 1924. Now the Salvation Army Thrift Shop. Formerly a bank which was built to the design of Melbourne architects Godfrey & Spowers. The building design demonstrates the prosperity of the town in the 1920's.
7. Holland's Drapery Shop, 1866. Now a private residence.
8. Filbey's Butchery, 1856. Operating now as the Pyrenees Gourmet Butchers.
9. Bank of Victoria, 1854. Now a private residence.
10. Avoca Court House, 1859. Now the Avoca & District Historical Society.
11. Lock Up, 1867.
12. Police Station/Residence, 1859.
13. Powder Magazine, 1860.
14. Avoca Baths, c 1865 located at the end of the pines at the Lions Club Park.
15. Watford House, 1854. Now a private residence. Watford House is a rare surviving example of a prefabricated house imported into Victoria during Avoca's goldrush era when building materials and labour were scarce. The distinctive design has made it into a local landmark.
16. Union Hotel, 1855. Now Gollop's Garage.
17. Tea Merchant, c1870. Between 1870 and 1873 this building was operated by a tea merchant. Later in 1886 it became a grocery & drapery store. In the 1960's the store ran as a barber shop. Now a private residence.
18. Avoca Hotel, 1872. Still operating today.
19. Bank of Victoria, 1912. Now Westbury Antiques.
20. Lalor's Pharmacy, 1854. Still operating today. Lalor's Pharmacy / Depot has operated continuously on this site since 1854. Being the oldest pharmacy business in continuous use in Victoria.
21. Kelley's Store, 1865. Now Sima's Hairdressing. First established as "Kelley's Drapery" and later became "Parker's" Haberdashery and gift store.
22. Avoca Meat Market, 1856. Now a private residence. Established during the gold rush period and has become one of the few businesses to operate continuously as a butcher.
23. Snells Store, 1860. Now the IGA Supermarket.
24. Former National School, 1857. Now a private residence.
25. Avoca State School No. 4, 1878.
26. Anglican Church, 1871.
27. Uniting Church Complex includes the Church 1876, Sunday School Hall, 1870 and Parsonage 1871.
28. Old Avoca Vicarage, 1894
29. Avoca Shire Hall, 1861.
30. St Kevins Catholic Church, 1979.
31. Chalmers Presbyterian Church Complex, 1864 and the Manse was built in 1869.
Children's Activity Sheet
These are some questions for children to answer at each of the historical locations.
1. What are two of the countries that are listed on the war memorial?
2. Complete the name of Albion House
3. What colour are the posts of the newsagency?
4. How many chimneys does the post office have?
5. What date did the Albion Hotel close?
6. How many steps to get into the Salvation Army Thrift Shop?
7. What is the street number of Hollands Drapery Shop?
8. What animal is the man riding on in the picture underneath the shop window at Filbey's Butchery?
9. What colour is the Bank of Victoria now a private residence?
10. What is on the left hand side of the foot path to the front door of the Avoca Court House?
11. What is the Lock Up made of? Weatherboard Brick Bluestone
13.How many doors does the Powder Magazine Have?
14. How many pine trees are in the Lions Club Park?
15. What material is Watford House made of? Brick Bluestone Weatherboard
17. What colour are the doors to the Tea Merchant Building?
18 How many doors are there in the front of the Avoca Hotel?
18A What is the top of the Pagoda made of in the Chinese Gardens? 19 What shape is the window on the side of the old Bank of Victoria building on Cambridge Street?
20. How many steps are there to get into the Pharmacy?
21. What colour is the brick work on the bottom of the brick piers on the Front porch of Kelly's Store?
22. What is the person's name sign written on the front window of the Avoca Meat Market building?
23 How many blue stained glass windows are over the front door at Smells Store?
24. What is on the top of the main school building?
26. How many windows are in the front of the Anglican Church?
28. How many chimneys does the Old Avoca Vicarage Have?
29. How many steps up to the front of the Avoca Shire Hall?
30. What date in 1979 did the Catholic Church Open?
Photos:
Location
122 High Street, Avoca 3467 Map
Web Links
→ Avoca Historical Walk Map (PDF)
