Metcalfe

History

Metcalfe was developed mainly during the central Victorian gold rush period, from 1851 to 1865. It is reported that, in 1851, when the first miners arrived on the Mount Alexander goldfield, near Castlemaine, gold nuggets could be picked up without digging. Nearby reserves still bear the scars of mining activity, including deep shafts and adits. In 1861, the Metcalfe Road Board was established and, in 1865, the Shire of Metcalfe was declared and the shire hall was constructed. The former shire hall still contains records of councillors and mayors until the dissolution of the shire in 1995. For most of its history, the major economic activity has been grazing. Recent (2015) purchases of large grazing properties have been made by Chinese interests. At times, Metcalfe has had a school, post office, a pub and various other businesses, but all of them are now closed. However, Metcalfe does have a recreation reserve with a tennis court and playground. After the opening of the Calder Freeway the volume of traffic travelling between Kyneton and Bendigo via Metcalfe reduced significantly. Metcalfe post office opened on 13 December 1866.

Most-observed species

• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,647
• Crimson Rosella

  Platycercus elegans (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  2,345
• Superb Fairywren

  Malurus cyaneus (Ellis, 1782) · Aves
  1,863
• Red Wattlebird

  Anthochaera carunculata (Shaw, 1790) · Aves
  1,846
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  Cacatua galerita (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  1,684
• Spotted Pardalote

  Pardalotus punctatus (Shaw, 1792) · Aves
  1,624
• Gray Fantail

  Rhipidura albiscapa Gould, 1840 · Aves
  1,523
• Little Raven

  Corvus mellori Mathews, 1912 · Aves
  1,439

Most recent

• M 3.8 — 2023-05-28
  5 km W of Mickleham, Australia
• M 3 — 2010-05-26
  8 km E of Rochester, Australia
• M 2.7 — 2007-12-09
  38 km SE of Charlton, Australia
• M 2.8 — 2003-02-02
  9 km N of Trentham, Australia
• M 3.3 — 2002-01-22
  5 km WNW of Rochester, Australia
• M 2.7 — 2001-12-31
  10 km SW of Kilmore, Australia