Walkerville

History

Walkerville is situated on the traditional lands of the Brataualung people, a clan of the Gunai/Kurnai nation. The settlement was originally named Waratah but changed to Walkerville in 1892 to avoid confusion with mail directed to Tasmania. The name honored the recently dead William Froggatt Walker, the former Victorian Customs Commissioner. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Walkerville was a thriving industrial hub due to its lime production. Limestone mined from local cliffs was processed in six kilns and transported by horse-drawn trams to a 300-meter jetty for shipping. However, transportation difficulties, such as bad weather preventing ships from docking and lime spoiling in moist air, caused the industry to decline. Rising shipping costs led to the closure of operations in 1926. A Post Office operated from 10 August 1885 until its closure in 1972. Walkerville was a lively settlement during its peak, hosting horse races, sports, and annual balls in the old hall, which served as the center of community life. However, by 1940, Walkerville was described as a "ghost township," omitted from tourist guides and treated as if it "was not on the map" by railway and road services. A legend associated with the town involves a ship's carpenter accused of stealing bullion in the 19th century. The gold was allegedly hidden near Walkerville, but its location was never discovered. Today, remnants of Walkerville's history remain, including lime kiln ruins, jetty pilings, and stonework from former buildings. The old hall and other structures reflect the town's transition from an industrial hub to a tourist destination.

Most-observed species

• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  1,171
• Gray Fantail

  Rhipidura albiscapa Gould, 1840 · Aves
  1,015
• Superb Fairywren

  Malurus cyaneus (Ellis, 1782) · Aves
  991
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  855
• Brown Thornbill

  Acanthiza pusilla (Shaw, 1790) · Aves
  840
• Gray Shrikethrush

  Colluricincla harmonica (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  778
• Welcome Swallow

  Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842 · Aves
  736
• Red Wattlebird

  Anthochaera carunculata (Shaw, 1790) · Aves
  677

Most recent

• M 3.3 — 2026-05-09
  4 km ESE of Mirboo North, Australia
• M 4.3 — 2024-02-08
  3 km E of Leongatha, Australia
• M 2.8 — 2015-03-10
  3 km NNE of Pakenham, Australia
• M 3.6 — 2014-12-03
  4 km SW of Pakenham, Australia
• M 4.6 — 2012-07-20
  8 km S of Trafalgar, Australia
• M 5.2 — 2012-06-19
  11 km NNE of Mirboo North, Australia