Wangaratta Heritage Trail

Ford St, Wangaratta

Wangaratta Heritage Trail

Ford St, Wangaratta

Staff Pick
1 h 13 m
4.87 km
Very Easy

This self-guided walk will see you discover some of lively history preserved in various heritage buildings dotted throughout the CBD.

Wangaratta Heritage Trail

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Summary

This self-guided walk will see you discover some of lively history preserved in various heritage buildings dotted throughout the CBD.

Description

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Following Major Mitchell’s favourable report of the area, overlanders were quickly on the move and European settlement began in Ovens Crossing in 1838.

By 1848 the township had been officially named Wangaratta, the Bpangerang word for Long Necked Cormorant.

From the boom of the gold rush, construction of the rail link from Melbourne to Sydney, Wangaratta has continued to grow. This heritage can be viewed through the various styles of architecture in and around the CBD.

For a detailed brochure of the walk call into the Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre

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Points of Interest

1. WH Edwards Museum

Originally the fire station, it is today the headquarters of the Wangaratta Historical Society. Which is open on Sundays from 2pm.

2. Wangaratta Art Gallery

Originally the Presbyterian Church, it was purchased by the city council in the mid 1980s. The Gallery is open 10am-4pm from Tues - Sun.

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3. Holy Trinity Cathedral

The Church precinct embraces the Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Purbrick Hall, Bishop's Lodge and Deanery that is the oldest building in Wangaratta.

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4. Wangaratta Library

Wangaratta Library is located the original Technical School building. The Library is open Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm and Sat 9.30am - 1pm

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5. Wangaratta Railway Precinct

The Railway Station of was opened in 1873 before the section of the line to Wodonga was built. Recent changes to precinct are showcasing the railway station as a welcoming gateway to the city.

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6. St Patrick's Church

St Patrick's Catholic Church is part of the Wangaratta Landscape with the first stone laid in April 1866. The roof was closed in May 1879 and was dedicated in March 1871.

7. Merriwa Park

A sunken natural park, originally a meeting place of the Bpangerang Aboriginal Tribe. Merriwa means the rich flat ground at the bend of a river.

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8. Pinsent Hotel

Originally the Royal Hospital and later the Royal Hotel, it was conducted by Mrs Annie Pinsent between 1917 and 1934. The hotel is a popular in Wangaratta with a variety of meals on its bistro menu.

9. Wangaratta RSL

Originally the Hope Inn, it was destroyed by fire in 1864. Rebuilt by William Painter who changed its name to the Sydney Hotel to reflect its location on Sydney Rd, now known as Ovens St.

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10. King George V Gardens

A lovely parkland area in the centre of Wangaratta CBD. It has a children's playground, seats and stage which is used for outdoor entertainment on occasion.

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11. Wangaratta Uniting Church

Adjacent to the King George V Gardens, it was built in 1885 as the Wesleyan Church and later the Methodist Church. It took its present name when the Methodist and Presbyterian churches amalgamated.

12. The Co-Store

Originally, one of Australia's oldest retail co-operatives, the North Eastern Co-Store graced the site from 1906 until remodeled in the early 1990s. It is a retail hub in the CBD.

13. Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre

Now the Visitor information Centre the building was first erected on this site in 1858. It was demolished and the free library was opened in 1909 and remained until the 1990s.

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Features

Playground Playground
Public toilets Public toilets
Pram friendly Pram friendly
Historical interest Historical interest
Art and culture Art and culture
Park / Garden Park / Garden