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Travel guide to Walhalla | Discover Gippslands hidden gems!
Trying to travel over the Easter long weekend was relatively challenging. Most National Parks were fully booked for camping and ended up being busy during the day. We left Melbourne pretty late on Good Friday and did not have anything prepared. All the shops were closed, so we did not have any food. It was hard to find available campsites, and on Saturday after Tarra Bulga, we found our way to Mountain Rivers Tourist Park. Like every other time, being underprepared brought us somewhere lovely, and this time, that was Walhalla!
When we arrived, we asked what was interesting to do around the area to see if it was worth staying longer than the one night. The lovely lady at the reception told us about Walhalla’s old mining town, not very far from the camp. After Yentl’s quick google, we discovered that it is the most haunted mining town in Victoria. So, of course, we had to go! Being the long weekend, we expected it to be busy down at Walhalla, so we left early. Luckily we did, as at lunchtime, the place was packed with people! You could not have expected the crowd for a small town of only 18 permanent residents!
Walhalla – a ‘frozen in time’ mining town.
Now frozen in time, you can explore what the town was like back in its hay day. Walhalla was once the wealthiest town in Australia, thanks to the discovery and mining of Cohen’s reef. Cohen’s reef is a three-kilometre long gold vein that flows through the mountains surrounding Walhalla. The town itself is situated at the bottom of the valley, looking up to the hills that were once home to over 4000 gold miners working to extract the riches from Cohen’s reef. When the final bits of gold were removed in 1914, the mines shut down. Consequently, most of the population left, as there were no longer any jobs paying enough to feed a family.
How to get to Walhalla?
Walhalla is approx. a 190km drive from Melbourne. The easiest way to get here would be by personal car, but that does not mean there are no alternatives.
By Car:
Take the M1 Freeway from Melbourne to Moe, then continue from Moe to Rawson on the C466. The car ride takes approx. 2.5 hours, but I suggest stopping along the way if you see something you like! The final section of the journey on the C461 from Rawson to Walhalla has sharp corners, so please drive carefully. Ensure you check your fuel when going to Walhalla or in the surroundings. Fuel stations can be few and far between, so try and fill up in Moe.
Public Transport:
While no public transport will take you to Walhalla itself, you can get close. The closest you can get is Moe by either the train (V/line) or bus. You will need to take a taxi the rest of the way, setting you back at about $100.
Where to stay in Walhalla?
There is a variety of accommodation available, both in Walhalla and the surrounding areas. Choose from B’n’B’s, campgrounds, self-contained lodges/cottages, motels and even one luxury boutique hotel. As this is a small town, book ahead, especially if you prefer to stay in the town itself during holidays or long weekends. We stayed at the Moutain Rivers Tourist Park in Rawson, about a 20-minute drive away, which was very convenient.
Camping at Walhalla
Camping on the side of the road is no longer allowed, so the only place that you can camp in Walhalla is in the North Gardens. Also known as the Chinese Gardens, this site played an important role in feeding the town during its hay day between the late 1800s to early 1900s. This is a paid campsite and bookings are required. It is located about 2km north of the centre. The site is separated into a south and north side, the latter of which can only be reached in a 4WD car. Toilets, showers ( $1 for two minutes), a BBQ area, and laundry are provided. Tank water is also available, but it is recommended to boil it first before drinking. To book, follow the link.
Fees:
Adult: $20 per night
Children (5-16 years): $10 per night
Children (under five years): Free
Places to eat:
Being a small tourist town, most of these places are mainly open for weekends and public holidays. Therefore, you will need to check their opening times and days before you go, just in case!
- The Wally Pub – a great pub feed
- The General Store – quick takeaway
- Miners Cafe – a lovely country cafe
- Assaggio del Forno – traditional Itallian woodfire pizzas
- Walhalla Lodge Hotel – pub-style food
- The Long Tunnel Coffe Lounge – as it sounds, a coffee lounge
- Grey horse Cafe will re-open in Spring 2022
- Walhalla Coffee & kitchen – open for breakfast!
What to do in Walhalla, Victoria:
Gold Mine tour with the Long Tunnel Extended Mine:
In addition to just looking around the tunnels, you will get a fantastic guide to fill you in on all the mining knowledge you could need! Explore what it would have been like as a gold miner in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Hear about mining practices, how they evolved, and the health risks of mining. Moreover, see some quartz reefs that still appear in the tunnels, but do not be fooled by fools’ gold.
Further, this tour has an approx. 40-50 minute duration, so it’s value for money. Enclosed footwear is recommended, as some water is dripping from the ceiling, making the tunnel floor muddy in places. Remember to bring a jumper, as it gets pretty cold in the tunnels. Finally, while these tunnels take you underground, they are pretty spacious, and there are two ventilation shafts ensuring fresh air at all times, so they are not too scary or confronting.
Tickets
Adult: $20
Children: $15 under the age of 16; children under five are free.
Concession: $15
Packages: $50 for a family of two adults and up to four children.
Group Tours (by arrangement): $12 per head for a group of 12 or more.
Walhalla Goldfields Railway:
Take the scenic train ride from Walhalla to Thompson! Run solely by volunteers, take a trip on this historic and spectacular railway that runs for 4 km for an approx—1-hour return. The train ride is the perfect place to view the creek and the surrounding hills. The original rail line was opened in 1910, finally connecting the isolated Walhalla to the more accessible Moe. Sadly, the mining industry was slowing down drastically, so not four years later; the last mine was closed in 1914. With no other industries operating, most of the town’s population left, rendering the train less and less critical. By 1960, most of the bridges and railway lines had been removed.
In 1993, Walhalla Goldfields Railway Inc started the timely task of re-establishing the railway between Tompson and Walhalla station, allowing for a tourist train. In 2002, the 4 km rail line was complete, all thanks to the tireless work of the volunteers. This is a not to miss experience in Walhalla. Furthermore, you can also book the train for a private function! For more details or to book your trip, follow the link.
Tickets
Adult: $30
Children: $25
Concessions: $25
Packages: $80 for a family of four (two adults, two children or one adult, three children)
Old Walhalla Post and Telephone Office Museum:
Initially built in 1886, this historic building is well worth your time! Further, it was once the third busiest post office in Gippsland, handling almost 50,000 pieces of mail a year. Sadly, the office closed in 1963 when the general store next door took over, but it still has much history! Look through the former postmaster and postmistress’s living quarters, separated from the shop front by a single door. Much of the interior has not been changed since around the 1950s and has much of the original furniture. The building itself is now heritage-listed, and the museum is run solely by volunteers. No entry fee; however, donations are greatly appreciated.
Walhalla Ghost Tour:
Are you feeling the need for a bit of an adrenaline rush? Look no further than the Walhalla Ghost Tour that operates at night in the Walhalla Cemetry. Walhalla is supposedly the most haunted town in all of Victoria, and it has some good stories to back it up! Not only is it’s home to a cursed grave, but visitors in B’n’B’s have also said to have woken up being tucked into bed, which the locals put down to being nurse Emily. Tours regularly operate on Saturday nights, and special bookings are available on request for a minimum of 10 people. To book, click here.
Tickets
Adult: $30
Children: $25
Concessions: $25
Packages: $80 for a family of four
Museum and corner store
Discover more of Walhalla’s rich history in the Walhalla Museum. With various artifacts collected from around the town, you never know what you might see here. Moreover, you can grab a souvenir from the Corner Store on your way out!
Tram trail
Are you looking for the best views of Walhalla, or just looking for a lovely walk away from the crowd? Then the Tram Trail is your very next stop. Get glorious views of the valley and the town itself from here. Wheelchair access is available if you enter onto the track at the Long Tunnel Extended Mine. Furthermore, at around noon most days, a local piper can be seen playing the bagpipes up here! So look out for him!
Cemetery
The Walhalla Cemetery is an attraction all on its own. Walhalla has also known as the most haunted town in Victoria, thus making the cemetery a pretty significant interest all on its own. One of the most iconic attractions is the grave of James Mitchell, who was tragically killed in a mining accident. His gravestone reads,
‘Oh, let my sudden doom, a warning be to all. Here while thou bendeth over thy tomb, thou may as quickly fall‘.
Interpret that how you will, but many say that if you should stand over his grave, you will see the same fate. If the ghost tour isn’t for you, you can check it out yourself. The track leading to the cemetery can be found on the right-hand side of the road as you drive into the town. It is a walking track, but nothing too tricky. Remember to stick to the formed paths when in the cemetery.
Dig for gold in Stringers Creek!
Do not worry that all the mining companies have packed up and left; go digging for gold in Stringers Creek! Stringers Creek is where gold was first discovered by Ned Stringer (whom the creek is named after). After he quickly registered his find, Walhalla began its gold rush. Almost four thousand miners would eventually find themselves in the tunnels throughout the surrounding hills because of this creek, so this town’s historical significance is next to none! While it is doubtful that any gold has been left, it is still a beautiful place to visit.
Walhalla Heritage Walk
Following the Tram Trail, the Walhalla Heritage Walk is another excellent way to see the town. While it does include the Tram Trail, it also has two other separate paths that lead to either the cemetery or the cricket ground. You can walk from the North Gardens (which is now a camping ground) to the town centre and beyond to opposite the train station. Click here for a map.
Check out the historic Old Walhalla Fire Station.
Spanning over the same creek that made the town famous, Stringers Creek, the old fire station has been turned into a museum. It is listed as a Victorian Heritage site and now holds the old 1903 Merryweather fire cart. Find out about fires that have affected Walhalla here and some great photographs.
See the home of the Walhalla Chronicle.
See where all the magic happened in the Walhalla Chronicle, the local newspaper. Located next door to the corner store and museum, you cannot miss this! If you are having trouble finding it, look for the three old billboards on the sidewall of the store, and you will be right in front of it!
See the remains of the Bank of Victoria vault.
While walking down the main road, you will eventually find yourself in front of the remains of a former Bank of Victoria Vault! This vault once held around 72 tonnes of gold before it was moved to another town. It now contains some ‘fools gold’, so it is the perfect spot for a photo.
Walhalla Mechanic’ Institute
The Mechanic’s Institute building has a rich educational history. The institute was the home of the first free library in 1867, and a private school operated here as well during the building’s early days. It offered education to working-class men, which in turn caused their wages to increase. The building was burnt down and rebuilt three times, the last time in 1980. The Mechanic’s Insititute now has a variety of functions. Small shops operate at the front of the building, including the Lolly Shoppe, which is something you cannot walk past without going in! The hall and special meeting room, which are located in the back of the building, can be hired for functions, such as weddings. To enquire about hiring the hall or meeting room, please follow the link.
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