A National School (Common School No. 665 Wedderburn) was originally opened in 1861, making use of the Wesleyan Chapel, then in High Street, for four years before moving to a new building here on the corner of Wilson and Chapel Street in 1865.

The school later became a Higher Elementary School with several school buildings from nearby rural settlements being moved to the site to accommodate the additional students.

In 2001 the school closed when it was amalgamated with the local P-12 College. Today the grand old state school building continues to serve the community through its repurposing as a Community House, Health Clinic and Visitor Information Centre.

Commence your walk north towards the old Presbyterian Church.

The Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1868 with the foundation stone being laid by Mr Robert Steel (opposite) on the 11th of July. The Colonial style church building admirably served its congregation for over 120 years before being transferred to the Shire of Korong in 1981 for the purposes of erecting Lone Person units.

Cross the road to the Butterick’s House.

In 1948 David Butterick, a retired farmer, purchased a block of land adjacent to his Wilson Street home which proved to be an astute investment. Publicity over the discovery of a 75-ounce nugget from a hole in the road in front of David’s house brought to the public’s attention the revelation that the Butterick’s had already unearthed 10,000 pounds worth of gold.

Prospectors and curious tourists descended on Wilson Street with the number of visitors reaching 8,000 on the 17th of April 1950. The local Bush Nursing Hospital benefited by 126 Pounds when the gold nuggets went on public display closely guarded by Police and two of Mr Butterick’s sons-in-law armed with shotguns.

Continue walking north along Wilson Street.

The Church of Christ is on the corner of Reef and Wilson streets, Wedderburn.

The history of the Church of Christ in Wedderburn begins in 1864 when four Christian Brethren of Baptist denomination became convinced of a duty to form themselves into a New Testament order.

The original chapel (the smaller of the two buildings) was built in 1872 with the larger chapel being constructed in 1903. There was once a residence to the west of the chapel where the Preacher and his family resided.

Arrive at the historical grave site of Catherine Rinder.

Catherine Rinder died from a lung ailment on February 8, 1859, at the age of 18. Her husband, Sam Rinder, was the founding Secretary of the Shire of Korong. Sam was 36 years old when Catherine passed away, though the date of their marriage is unknown. Sam later remarried and fathered four children.

Walk through the grounds of the Wedderburn RSL to High Street.

The Wedderburn/Korong Vale RSL building was originally a store run by local pioneer Robert Steel. It was the first building in Wedderburn to be supplied with electricity sourced from a nearby gold dredge.

The club rooms have been well maintained over the years by its members who welcome visitors for a drink on Friday nights.

On the left is the historic Royal Hotel.

The Royal Hotel opened for business in 1863 and closed in 1970. The historic double-brick building has seven bedrooms and once drew public attention when the publican began digging for gold in the hotel’s backyard during the mini gold rush of the 1950s.

Cross over High Street to Ted’s Garden.

Known as "Ted’s Garden" after Mr Edward (Ted) Hargreaves, who transferred the property to the Loddon Shire Council for the community to establish a garden. Pride of Place funding from the department of Infrastructure in 1999 enabled the garden to be constructed. Garden artworks include a kangaroo chair and local artisan’s work.

The Kangaroo Chair is a community project representing the spirit of Federation and is symbolic of both the natural environment and home. Children from across the Loddon Shire contributed drawings to celebrate 100 years of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Turn right at the end of Ted’s Garden on Nardoo Creek Walking Track.

Enjoy a short walk along Nardoo Creek towards town. Take Reef Street back to High Street.

The Miners Literary Hall and Mechanics Institute is on the corner of Reef and High streets, Wedderburn.

The original Mount Korong Miners Literary Institute was built in 1859 and now forms part of the "old hall" facing High Street. The Wedderburn Mechanics Institute Building was added in 1913 and continues to serve the Wedderburn community today.

The original brick hall was built by Joseph Morecroft (seen in the photograph standing at the door). Along with his wife Martha, he also built and ran the original Wedderburn Hotel.

Walk south along the footpath towards Soldiers’ Memorial Park. Look across the road to the Wedderburn Hotel.

The Wedderburn Hotel has its origins in the exciting days of the gold rush in the early 1850s and has seen many changes in its transformation to the establishment you see today.

For many years the hotel boasted extensive stables and a livestock sale yard where surrounding farmers would come and conduct business before availing themselves of some good old-fashioned hospitality on offer at the hotel.

Today the Wedderburn Hotel continues to offer that same country hospitality it has been renowned for since the days of serving thirsty miners who paid with nuggets of gold.

Built by Joseph Morecroft in 1853, the Morecroft family ran the hotel continuously for 75 years until 1928 when it was taken over by Joseph Daniel.

Continue to Soldiers’ Memorial Park and enter.

Soldiers Memorial Park is on the corner of High and Chapel streets, Wedderburn.

The park before you is the site of the old Korong Flour Mill that burnt down in 1919. The local RSL purchased a portion of the land for 140 pounds with the intention of erecting a Soldiers Memorial. The chosen design was costed at 475 Pounds with the community raising the majority of the amount needed. On Anzac Day 1921 the Queen of Queens, Miss Winnie Guthrie unveiled the new Wedderburn Soldiers Memorial. In the 1940s the park was also used as a bowling green.

Continue walking through the park until you reach Travellers Rest.

The Jacka Memorial Gates were opened on 6 April 1958 in the presence of 2500 people including 30 veterans who fought alongside Captain Albert Jacka in the 14th Battalion.

Captain Albert Jacka was the first Australian to gain the coveted V.C. Award for an act of bravery while fighting in Gallipoli in 1915. Jacka would later receive the Military Cross for his military efforts in France in 1916.

Travellers Rest is situated on what was once the eastern portion of the old flour mill (above). The Country Fire Brigade built a Fire Brigade Hall on the site which was later used for Guides, Brownies and Cubs as a meeting room.

Cross High Street and marvel at the beautifully painted Uniting Church.

This iconic Wedderburn church, built in 1866 to serve the Methodist families who settled here after the gold rush, stands as a testament to the town’s rich history. The Gothic Revival architecture, with its classic brickwork, captures the spirit of 19th-century design. Now adorned with a stunning mural as part of the Wedderburn Birds Eye View art project, the church’s front facade has become an even more captivating landmark blending historic charm with vibrant contemporary art.

Retrace your steps back to the corner of High Street and Chapel Street. Cross Chapel Street and walk south to the Coach House Gallery and Museum.

The Coach House Museum and Art Gallery, located in the former "Smith & Sons" General Store built in 1913, captures a slice of Wedderburn’s past. Once owned by figures like W.B. Smith, Horace Holmes, and Cliff Coates, the store served the community until its closure in the early 1960s. Today, the museum offers a perfectly preserved time capsule, with much of the 1960s stock still on the shelves. In addition to the old general store, a cellar and rear display area showcase historic carriages, an original Blacksmith forge and a blend of local history and art creations.

Walk south along Main Street to the Old Shire of Korong Hall on the corner of Kerr Street.

This marvellous building was erected in 1874 by Samuel Rinder for use as a general store. In 1878 it was leased to the local council for 80 pounds per annum on the condition that Mr Rinder provide a council chambers and staff offices. The council called these chambers home for the next 88 years with the remaining water trough no doubt quenching many a weary horses’ thirst.

Walk west along Kerr Street until you reach the Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

The first stone of this beautiful church was laid in 1866 after its Minister Reverend Hose raised donations of time and money from generous diggers working the surrounding gold fields. Of the many children who were baptised here, Albert Jacka V.C. stands out being initiated into the church on the 28th of July, 1897.

Walk north along Wilson Street returning to your starting point at the Wedderburn Visitor Information Centre.

We hope you enjoyed the Wedderburn Self-Guided Walking Tour.

For more information about attractions in the Loddon Valley visit www.visitloddonvalley.com.au

or call in and see us at the
Visitor Information Centre
24 Wilson St, Wedderburn
Phone: 03 5494 1257
Open: Monday–Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 2pm.
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.