Visiting Charlton
The Charlton District offers many things for the visitors to see and do.
Places of Interest:
The Travellers' Rest complex, situated on the Avoca River in the centre of town, provides excellent toilet facilities, a children's playground, picturesque picnic area with ample parking for cars, caravans and coaches and eight self contained caravan sites.
Take time to inspect the bust of John Curtin, Australia's war time Prime Minister, and listen to the audio of his association with Charlton. As a school boy Curtin attended the Charlton State School when his father was proprietor of the Golden Fleece Hotel.
View the "Big Fish" a memento of the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the Premier Harvester manufactured at the Charlton Foundry in the early 1900's. The fish is a Kenya Broadbill Swordfish.
River heights of Charlton's worst floods are recorded beside the viewing platform at the Travellers' Rest.
Walk through the Travellers' Rest, across the swing bridge to Gordon Park which contains another playground, the Charlton Swimming Pool and a statue of a swagman, carved by chain saw artist Kevin Gilders from a stump of a pine tree.
In addition to the playground at the Travellers' Rest there is the Rotary Park playground and barbeque facilities in High Street near the Fire Station.
One of Charlton's assets, established in 1938, is the Rex Theatre which has served the community almost continually since that time. It is now community owned and operated by an enthusiastic group of volunteers.
Charlton's Museum is situated at the west end of High Street in the Elliott Gardens named in honour of a renowned officer of the Boer War and World War 1, Major General H. E. Elliott, who was born and raised at West Charlton. The Museum holds a comprehensive display of local historic photographs, documents and memorabilia and is open by request by phoning 5491 1359, 5491 1620, 5491 1244 or 5491 1636.
Charlton Cemetery - 2km from town on the Borung Highway offers an opportunity to research early settlers. A comprehensive list of internments is listed at the Cemetery's entrance
The Charlton Court House in Camp Street has recently undergone refurbishment to enable it to again fulfil a community function.
Information plaques have been attached to Charlton's historic shops and public buildings and a guided walk brochure is available at the museum and the Information Centre.
A mural depicting our local history is displayed inside the Shire Hall and can be viewed by arrangement with the attendants at the Museum.
View the wood carvings at the new Catholic Church in Learmonth Street.
Charlton has a number of excellent retail outlets which provide a wonderful opportunity to browse and possibly pick up a bargain or two.
Enjoy the tranquillity of the Wooroonook Lakes located 14 km west of the town on the Borung Highway. The lakes have powered sites, a toilet block and playground
Charlton is the ‘Hub' for the surrounding communities being centrally located and providing easy access for day trips to the surrounding towns of Boort, Donald, St Arnaud, Wedderburn and Wycheproof.
The Charlton Weir located 1 km to the north of the town provides water in the river for fishing, canoeing or just a relaxing walk along the banks of the River. The River frontage through Charlton Park is a natural wonderland of serenity and beauty, its river red gum and native bird life are probably Charlton's best kept secret.
Visit the Charlton Driver Education Centre which is a regional centre servicing communities across the State of Victoria to deliver "Pre-driver Education". This program aims to reduce road trauma by teaching basic driving and road user skills.
