Bannockburn
Battle of Bannockburn near Stirling
Is a rural township near Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 93 km southwest of Melbourne. It is located in Golden Plains Shire. At the 2006 census, Bannockburn had a population of 2486.
The township, originally named Leigh Road, founded in the early 1850s, is assumed to be named after the 14th century battle site in Scotland. It grew as a coaching stop during the 1850s and ’60s when gold was shipped from the Ballarat goldfields to the port of Geelong. The railway came to the town with the opening of the Geelong-Ballarat line in 1862, but today only grain and freight trains use the line. The township grew around the railway station and a Post Office (Leigh Road Railway Station) opened on May 18, 1863 (and renamed Leigh Road (1873), Wabdallah (1875) and finally Bannockburn (1892)).
The township contains notable examples of Victorian colonial architecture, such as the former Somerset Hotel (1854), now a private home, and the Bannockburn railway station (1863).
The nearby Bannockburn Vineyards is a 25-hectare vineyard on the Midland Highway, established in 1974 by Stuart Hooper. Grapes grown include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, malbec, merlot, pinot noir, riesling, sauvignon blanc and shiraz.
The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Geelong & District Football League and a cricket club the Bannockburn Bulls.
Golfers play at the Bannockburn Golf Club on Teesdale Road.
Bannockburn
Tiny rural settlement once an important staging post for gold escorts between Ballarat and Geelong.
Bannockburn is located 93 km south-west of Melbourne via Geelong and the Midland Highway. The town, presumably named after the famous battle site in Scotland, came into existence in the 1850s when gold was being brought by coach from the fields in Ballarat to the port at Geelong.
The town developed around the Somerset Hotel. By 1860 a lock up had been established in the town. This was used for the double purpose of a gaol and a overnight ‘bank vault’ for the gold.
The railway arrived in 1863 and the town was moved (away from the Somerset Hotel) to meet the needs of the railway workers and the added business it brought to the town.
Today it is a tiny settlement overwhelmed by the proximity of both Geelong and Ballarat.
Things to see:
Rosemond
Now a private residence this was once the Somerset Hotel. It was built in 1854 and can still be seen on the western side of the town. It stands beside Bruces Creek.
Bannockburn Railway Station
This substantial two-storey railway station was completed in 1863 to cater for the arrival of the railway line. The attractive bluestone was quarried at Lethbridge. There was obviously a standard design for railway stations at the time as the station is identical the those in Meredith, Lethbridge and Moorabool.
Russells Bridge
Located 5 km north of the town on the Moorabool River this bridge is named after George Russell who settled in the area in 1837. There is a pleasant picnic located beside the river.
Bannockburn Vineyards
Located on the Midland Highway at Bannockburn this 16 hectare vineyard was established by Stuart Hooper in 1974. The grapes grown are cabernet, pinot, chardonnay, rhine riesling, sauvignon blanc and shiraz. For more details (03) 5281 1363 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (03) 5281 1363 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro
- Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro
Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro, Bannockburn was established in 1979. Discover the Moorabool Valley, taste exceptional hand crafted cool climate wines and enjoy our gourmet foods made with outstanding local produce at our Bistro.
Clyde Parks uncompromising approach to winemaking and viticulture has put it to the forefront of the Geelong region growth as a premium wine region of Australia.
This approach has seen Clyde Park awarded the 5 star rating again in James Halliday s 2009 Wine Companion, along with making his TOP 100 wines lists in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. As well, the Clyde Park Pinot Noir was recognised in Campbell Mattinson new book of TOP 101 Reds in Australia.
With some of Geelong s oldest vines in this cool climate region our approach in the vineyard is very much a hands on technique, whilst in the winery we adopt a hand s off approach of allowing the fruit and terroir to come alive in every bottle.
Our range includes aromatic whites of Sauvignon and Pinot Gris, along with the regions strengths of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
Enjoy the delights of our Bistro overlooking the magnificent Moorabool Valley offering simple, rustic and elegant cuisine, which reflects the diversity and quality of our regional produce.
We serve lunch on the weekend and public holidays from 12.00 noon. Cellar door is open from 11.00am daily. Clyde Park is available for functions, including weddings.
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