Myrniong, Victoria
Encyclopedia
Myrniong is a town in Victoria
, Australia
. The town is located near the Western Freeway
, 72 kilometres (45 mi) north west of the state capital, Melbourne
and 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of Bacchus Marsh
. Situated close by the Lerderderg River
, at the 2006 census
, Myrniong had a population of 210. The town is in the eastern area of Shire of Moorabool
Local government area.
Myrniong was named for the murrnong plant the Aboriginal word for yam daisy, a popular food source. European settlement began in around 1850 with local farmers producing wheat for hungry gold miners at nearby Blackwood
. Later production concentrated on beef and dairy.
The Post Office opened on 6 September 1858 as Pentland Hills, was renamed Myrniong in 1872 and closed in 1970.
Myrniong is known for its many bluestone buildings, including the historic Plough Hotel, established in 1859, and the Anglican church. Other attractions in the area include Pykes Creek Reservoir, providing water to the market garden
s in nearby Bacchus Marsh and Mount Blackwood, an extinct volcano
offering panoramic views over the Wombat State Forest
. and Werribee Gorge State Park
. An Historic Car Sprint is held in the town each April, and in March an annual music event, 'Myrniong Music in The Park', is a fixture on the Blues music Calendar.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The town is located near the Western Freeway
Western Freeway (Victoria)
The Western Freeway is a 125 kilometre Australian freeway linking the state capital of Victoria to the major regional city of Ballarat...
, 72 kilometres (45 mi) north west of the state capital, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of Bacchus Marsh
Bacchus Marsh, Victoria
Bacchus Marsh is an urban centre and suburban locality in Victoria, Australia located approximately west of Melbourne and west of Melton. The population of the urban area is estimated at over 17,000 people, while the central locality is home to 5,566 people...
. Situated close by the Lerderderg River
Lerderderg River
The Lerderderg River is a river in Victoria, Australia. The river begins in the Lerderderg State Forest and ends when it merges into the Werribee River just out of the town of Bacchus Marsh....
, at the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Myrniong had a population of 210. The town is in the eastern area of Shire of Moorabool
Shire of Moorabool
The Shire of Moorabool is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the southwestern part of the state. It has an area of 2,110 square kilometres. In 2006 it had a population of 25,474....
Local government area.
Myrniong was named for the murrnong plant the Aboriginal word for yam daisy, a popular food source. European settlement began in around 1850 with local farmers producing wheat for hungry gold miners at nearby Blackwood
Blackwood, Victoria
Blackwood is a town in Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Lerderderg River, 89 kilometres north west of the state capital, Melbourne. Blackwood is in the Shire of Moorabool Local Government Area and had a population of 235 at the 2006 census....
. Later production concentrated on beef and dairy.
The Post Office opened on 6 September 1858 as Pentland Hills, was renamed Myrniong in 1872 and closed in 1970.
Myrniong is known for its many bluestone buildings, including the historic Plough Hotel, established in 1859, and the Anglican church. Other attractions in the area include Pykes Creek Reservoir, providing water to the market garden
Market gardening
A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. It is distinguishable from other types of farming by the diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically, from under one acre ...
s in nearby Bacchus Marsh and Mount Blackwood, an extinct volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
offering panoramic views over the Wombat State Forest
Wombat State Forest
The Wombat State Forest is located west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, between Woodend and Daylesford, at the Great Dividing Range. The forest is approximately in size and sits upon Ordovician or Tertiary sediments...
. and Werribee Gorge State Park
Werribee Gorge State Park
Werribee Gorge State Park is a state park in Victoria, Australia. It is located near Bacchus Marsh and is popular with bushwalkers and rock climbers, all attracted to its spectacular views and significant geological features.- Werribee Gorge :...
. An Historic Car Sprint is held in the town each April, and in March an annual music event, 'Myrniong Music in The Park', is a fixture on the Blues music Calendar.
External links
- Shire of Moorabool Council — Official site
- Myrniong.com — Community site