Nelson Historical Walk
Nelson was named and surveyed by Lindsay Clarke in 1852. He named the town in honour of Lt. James Grant and his vessel "the Lady Nelson". Major Mitchell named the Glenelg River after the then Colonial Secretary in the House of Commons.
Choose between a 2km walk (1-9), or the complete 7km route.
Nelson Historical Walk Map
1. Punt and First Bridge In 1848 Henry Kellett built and operated the punt before it was sold to Andrew Brown. In 1893 a wooden bridge was built on the south side of the punt (see Old Bridge Road). In 1963 a steel bridge was opened. The present concrete bridge was opened in September 1977.
2. Kiosk Built in 1935 by David Cameron on the site of the present Boat Hire. In 1955 the current kiosk was built. Between these sites is the "Andrew Linn Seat", a memorial to the early settlers of Nelson.
3. River Vu Park Section of house originally built in 1908 by Mr Craig. Andrew Linn also lived here at one time.
4. Hotel Built in 1848 by Mr Leake, as a summer house. First Licensee was Andrew Brown in 1882. See historic photos in bar.
5. Post Office The first was on the west side of the river, before it was moved to the Guest House. In approximately 1962 the Post Office was opened in the front room of the home of Miss E. Dewar, who held the position of Post mistress for 20 years. The current P.O. is located at the kiosk.
6. Guest House In 1882 this was the site of the Police Station and Gaol. The Gaol was not used in its 13 year history. The old Police Station building was extended and became "The Cottage" Guest House.
7. Wagons Please do not enter the property. It is believed that these wagons were of the type used to ford the mouth of the river from 1839 until the punt was built.
8. Church Completed in 1910, built with a great amount of voluntary work by the local people. It is still used as a place of worship.
9. School The original schools were in an old building on the east side, and a fisherman's hut on the west side of the river. A year later, these schools were amalgamated and the Government built a school approximately 1.5kms east of Nelson. The school moved again in 1925 to this site. The school was closed in 1990.
10. Pinehaven Chalet Motel In the front garden is part of the capstan (turn-table), used in conjunction with horses to draw the punt across the river. The rest of the capstan is at Casuarina Cabins (No 14 on the map).
11. Isle of Bags Major Mitchell left bags of provisions on the island in 1837. He underestimated the resourcefulness of the local Aborigines.
12. Early Home Built from corrugated iron, this home can be seen from the front gate.
13. Early Home A doctor from Ballarat had this house built in 1888.
14. Casuarina Cabins (see Note 10).
15. Historical Display Open by arrangement through Nelson Visitor Information Centre.
Location
Old Bridge Road, Nelson 3292 Map
