Kinglake
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Kinglake is a town of 1,700 people (2021) in the Yarra Valley. Many areas of Kinglake overlook the Melbourne skyline to the south west and the Yarra Valley wineries to the south, with views of Port Phillip Bay south of Melbourne possible on clear days.
Understand
[edit]Kinglake, comprising forest, farmland, a national park and a township, is located 57 km (35 mi) north east of Melbourne, in the Kinglake Ranges, part of the Great Dividing Range.
Kinglake is generally 3 °C colder than Metropolitan Melbourne, with the summers being very pleasant and heavy frosts and occasional snowfalls during winter.
History
[edit]Gold was discovered in 1861 on Mount Slide to the east of the locality at an area which became known as Mountain Rush. A Mountain Rush Post Office opened on 7 May 1862, but closed in January 1863 as the miners moved to other locations.
Kinglake township was established much later and was named after British historian Alexander William Kinglake, whose eight-volume history of the Crimean War had recently been completed.
Kinglake Post Office opened on 14 May 1883. There was also an office at Kinglake East open from 1914 until 1950.
Get in
[edit]Bus services are available from Whittlesea to Kinglake, which arrive at the police station. Otherwise, the only way into Kinglake is by car. Kinglake is on the C724 route, and is 57 km (35 mi) northeast of Melbourne via the C746 route.
Get around
[edit]
Kinglake town is accessible by foot. Getting to neighboring attractions, however, will likely require a car. There is a petrol station in Kinglake.
See
[edit]- 1 Bollygum Park, 40 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road. Adventure park with play equipment and a skate park. A picnic area at the park has barbeques, shelter, toilets, and baby change areas. On the second Sunday of each month from 10AM-2PM, there is a local sellers' market at the park.
- 2 Kinglake National Park. This park is located on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Masons Falls Picnic Area, at the end of Masons Falls Road, has barbecues, shelters, tables, and toilets. From the picnic area, you can take the 700-m walk to the waterfall lookout platform. The 500m Lyrebird Circuit Walk, which also leaves from the picnic area, passes some of the oldest trees in the park and is designed for people with limited mobility. From the waterfall lookout, there's the 7.8-km Running Creek walk, which is more challenging and goes through gullies and new native bush. Free.
- 3 Wombelano Falls, Captains Creek Rd. A stunning hidden gem just north of Kinglake. It's not much of a walk to get here, and the walk is pretty easy.
Do
[edit]- 1 Shepherds Track. Starting from the carpark at the Bowden Spur Mountain Bike area, Shepherds Track begins. It includes steep gradients and obstacles, and is only suitable for Downhill or Enduro bikes. Trail bikes are not permitted. Full body armour and helmets are essential. Free.
Buy
[edit]There aren't any souvenir shops in Kinglake.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Kinglake Fish & Chippery, 2/31 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road. Fish and chips shop.
- 2 Songbird Cafe & Larder, 10 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, ☏ +61 3 5786 1275. W-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 9AM-5PM. New cafe in Kinglake with a rustic vibe. Indoor dining is an option but the indoor area is fairly small, not an issue since the outdoor dining areas are fairly pleasant on a nice day. Breakfast $8-25, lunch/dinner $10-29.50.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Kinglake Pub, 28 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd, ☏ +61 3 5786 1230. Pub: Open from 11AM. Bistro: M-F 5:30-8:30PM, Sa Su noon-2:30PM, 5:30-8:30PM. Kinglake's pub has bar and bistro areas, as well as a TAB (gambling) area. The pub also offers accommodation in motel rooms, starting at $100 per couple.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Karma Kinglake, 14 Ward Street. Just outside of Kinglake town is this small B&B, which consists of 4 small cottages that they call "nests", an apartment, and a guest suite,
Connect
[edit]Telstra has 5G in the town and 4G everywhere else. There's also 3G in the coverage black spots.