The town of Talbot, like many others in Victoria, established as a result of the gold mining boom.
In the early 1850s, the initial gold rush of the area was centred a few kilometres to the north-west, at Daisy Hill (later renamed Amherst). Talbot was not a town at this stage, but was an outgrowth area of Amherst, and was known as Back Creek.
In 1858, when major deep lead mining was established, the main street of Back Creek – Scandinavian Crescent – started to take shape. By 1859, Back Creek had a population of over 15,000 people. On 19 October 1861, the name was officially changed to Talbot.
While the population of Talbot has dropped significantly over the years (now a few hundred people), many of the original buildings from this early era still exist.
We hope you enjoy this multi-cache, which will take you on a walk (or bike ride or drive) around Historical Talbot.
At each waypoint you are looking for an oval plaque that will help you with the information you require.
However, at each location, there is often a lot more to see than just a plaque, so do take the time to look at the other historical buildings around you.
- WP1 (Starting Co-Ordinates): S37 10.303 E143 42.123
Now a community centre, this old hotel had AB rooms.
- WP2: S37 10.215 E143 42.121
In 1865, the Amherst Municipal Council purchased this hall for CDE pounds.
- WP3: S37 10.266 E143 42.079
The Camp Hotel traded for about FG years until it was sold to become a provisions store.
- WP4: S37 10.305 E143 42.064
The stables were built in 18HJ
- WP5: S37 10.270 E143 42.021
The free library opened in 18KL. (20 years after the pub across the road).
- WP6: S37 10.265 E143 41.975
M is the number of patients housed in small sanitorium units like the one here. (Check this building out close up!).
The final cache can be found at:
S37 10.AMK
E143 42.DGH
Checksum: S22 E28