Heathcote (Victoria)

Heathcote is a town in central Victoria, located at the Northern Highway, 110 km north of Melbourne and 40 km southeast of Bendigo. It can be approached via the McIvor Highway. In 2006 Heathcote had 2689 inhabitants.

History

The first Europeans, of whom we know that he came to the area was Thomas Livingstone Mitchell in 1836. 1851 there were about 400 Europeans there, including 16 settlers.

Towards the end of 1852 gold at McIvor Creek was found. Within six months camped about 40,000 prospectors in the area. It was one of the richest gold discoveries in the time of the Australian gold rush. The gold was found easily and quickly lifted, and at the end of the year, most of the prospectors had migrated to other places, although still many years gold was found at lower altitudes. This was before the founding of the city by the Government of Victoria, who ordered the construction of buildings. The Post Office opened on 1 July 1853 the place name McIvor Creek, was but six months later, renamed on 1 January 1854 in Heathcote.

Following the decline of the gold mining industry, this region has become a major agricultural area.

Heathcote was connected to the railroad from 1889 to 1968.

The most spectacular incident at the time of the Gold Rush to Heathcote was the raid on a private transport of gold through the bush Ranger John Francis on July 20, 1853. This happened near the site crashed at the later, on January 31, 1945, an aircraft of the Stinson Aircraft, where ten people died.

Presence

Heathcote is the village which is close to the Heathcote - Greytown National Park and Lake Eppalock. In the city is at Easter a rodeo tournament and in November of each year hosts an agricultural show. Heathcote is located in the center of the Heathcote wine region and is known for its Shiraz wines.

The city has a team playing Australian Football in the Heathcote District Football League.

Golf can be played on the course of the Heathcote Golf Club at the Recreation Reserve.