South Westward to Camperdown

On territory originally belonging to the Djargurd Wurrung Aboriginal people, Camperdown, in Victoria's south-western 'Lakes and Craters' region, was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s.

One of the most historically intact towns in Victoria, it's also one of the most handsome, with many fine buildings, such as the bluestone Post Office, built in 1863, above.

I've just recently enjoyed a few days there, staying with my very good friend, Ian...despite dog unused to car = trauma.

The town is built up against two wonderful extinct volcanic craters, one of which, Mount Leura, you can see in the background above.

 

It's noted for its gothic 'Manifold Clock Tower', built in 1897, donated to the town by its pioneering  landowning family.

It's easy to believe you've stepped back in time - a quality, along with its civility, which I treasure. 

Above is the Anglican church, erected by the Manifold family in 1894.

I liked this image of a garden, with what was once the local dairy behind it.

In another part of town sits this wonderful urn, completely safe outside beside the pavement.

I'm very fond of this old fence, built from local basalt, guarding its bluestone house.

Above is the splendid Uniting Church.

Here, a group of eucalypts in a park, that caught my eye.

Above, the Georgian Court House, built 1886-1887. It's time now, of course, to get stuck into gardening...