Bannockburn Accommodation, Hotels, Tours & Information

Bannockburn

The small rural town of Bannockburn is set off the Midland Highway, about 22km north-west of Geelong. The original township rose on the banks of Bruce's Creek, but with the coming of the railway in 1845, the village moved up the hill to the station, marooning the local inn which had seeded the town, The Somerset House, subsequently taken over as a farmhouse. Today it is known as Rosemond and is still used as a private residence on the western side of the town.

The historic buildings include the bluestone railway station and the gaol. Built in 1860, the lockup was used to secure bullion overnight on the escorted run from the Ballarat goldfields to Geelong.

You can sample of the local varieties of shiraz, cabernet, pinot, chardonnay, riesling and sauvignon blanc at Bannockbun Vineyards on the Midland Highway.

Thebush trails, rock climbs and spectacular lookouts of the Brisbane Ranges and the You Yangs are within comfortable driving distance to the north-east.