Melton.

Named after the English town of Melton Mowbray, Melton is the administrative centre for the Shire of Melton, the 2006 Census tells us that the Shire of Melton had a population of 35,490 and it is considered part of Greater Melbourne.

Early in the piece Melton was a small town before being proclaimed a satellite city in 1974, separated from Melbourne's urban area by a greenbelt, but since the 1990s Melton has experienced rapid growth and has now become a commuter town in the Melbourne-Ballarat region.

Changes to Melbourne's urban growth boundary passed by the state government in 2010 effectively renounce its satellite city status and it is now planned to become a part of Melbourne's future metropolitan area.

Melton stands on a volcanic plain with two extinct volcanoes, Mt Kororoit and Mt Cottrell still visible on the horizon to the north-east and to the south and although Mt Cottrell is only 200 metres high it spreads southwards from its summit for 10 km and is the largest of the cones on the Werribee Plains.

Melton is noted for its semi-rural character, lifestyle and "olde worlde" charm and the area is surrounded by undulating grassy plains which provide views of the Great Dividing Range.

Although the Shire offers a spacious semi-rural lifestyle it has an extensive network of services and resources for families, young people and the elderly,

Thoroughbred and harness racing are still very popular in the region and now Melton has become the thoroughbred horse capital of Victoria, providing a home for breeders and trainers of thoroughbreds.

The founding father of the Victorian racing industry, William Cross Yuille, established the first pastoral and horse property in Melton in 1846, in 1865 he won his first Melbourne Cup and he published the first Australian stud book in 1877.

The region is also fast becoming renowned for its award winning wineries.

There's plenty to see and do in Melton and you'll find all the details at the Melton Visitor Information Centre at the Old Court House, 323 High St, tel: (03) 9747 7300.

Christ Church is an exemplary Gothic Revival structure built of random-coursed bluestone in 1864 for the Anglicans. The chancel was added in 1903. It is located in Unitt St.

The courthouse, at the corner of High and Palmerston Sts, dates from 1892.

Pluperfect Antiques.

Pluperfect Antiques sell collectable Australiana - prints, china, pens, linen, fully restored furniture etc. They are open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) and Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and are located at 521 High street, tel: (03) 9747 0808.

Hannah Watts Recreation Reserve.

Located in High St, this attractive recreation reserve is adjacent Toolern Creek. There are plenty of birds among the river red gums and a walking track and cycling trail, along with picnic, barbecue, toilets and playground facilities. The Honey Shack.

Also in High St (at no. 237) is The Honey Shack, situated within historic Raglan Cottage. This is essentially a bee farm where visitors can learn about beekeeping and purchase honey and bee-related products, including bulk and gourmet honeys, hand creams and a variety of gifts products and Aboriginal art, tel: (03) 9747 3277.

Melton Waves Leisure Centre.

This indoor wave pool has a "rapid river", a "waterfall", "geysers", a 25-metre pool, a toddlers' pool, a spa and a hydrotherapy pool. It is located in Coburns Rd, tel: (03) 9743 4333.

Toolern Creek Heritage Trail.

The pleasant environs of Toolern Creek are traversed by a self-guided heritage trail which is intended to convey a sense of how Melton was in the past. It takes in the former sites of the racecourse, the original townsite, Pennyroyal Creek Station and other establishments. A related pamphlet is available from the information centre, tel: (03) 9746 7290.

The Willows Historical Park.

Located in Reserve Rd, on the east bank of Toolern Creek, 'The Willows' is an historic stuccoed stone-rubble residence which now houses historic memorabilia. The front section is the original homestead. It was probably built in the 1850s. The larger section is thought to date from the 1860s. Although this is essentially an unpretentious vernacular building it has been lavishly ornamented with quoins, keystones, voussoirs and chimneys with buttresses and dentils. It is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and Sundays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9747 3333.

Warrensbrook Faire.

This precinct occupies 240 acres to the east of Melton. It incorporates several commercial ventures such as the Gamekeepers Secret Country Inn (tel: 03 9747 1000) and the Windmill Gardens Restaurant, which features the largest windmill in the Southern Hemisphere set amidst scenic gardens, water features and a traditional Dutch-style village, tel: (03) 9747 1100.

To get there head east along the Melton Highway for 6 km to the intersection with Leakes Rd.

Witchmount Estate Winery.

Also at Warrensbrook Faire (557 Leakes Rd) is Witchmount Estate Winery , established in 1991,which produces chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and nebbiolo. The cellar door and restaurant are open from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday (book for wine tours) and public holidays from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9747 1188.

Galli Estate Winery.

Warrensbrook Faire also boasts Galli Estate Winery which is open weekdays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and weekends from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The adjoining restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, tel: (03) 9747 1444.

Mt Atkinson Olive and Nut Grove.

Mt Atkinson Olive and Nut Grove produces cold-pressed olive oil and marinated table olives. Fresh olive bread is available at the cafe. It is currently open weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and will soon be open daily. Mid-week group bookings are currently available. They are located at 261 Griegs Rd, Rockbank, tel: (03) 9747 1170.

Melton Reservoir.

Melton Reservoir, on the Werribee River, is signposted from town. The access road runs off Exford Rd which heads due south of the city. It is a popular fishing spot and is home of the Melbourne Speedboat and Runabout Club. There are picnic, barbecue, playground, parking and toilet facilities. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5139 3100.

Parwan Estate Winery.

This newly-established winery, situated on the banks of Melton Reservoir, is currently only open by appointment, tel: (03) 9746 9990.

Long Forest Flora Reserve.

This is the only naturally occurring patch of mallee south of the Great Dividing Range. At one time mallee scrub was common in the area but as the climate cooled most of it was supplanted by eucalypt forest. However, this reserve rests on a bed of shale and sandstone which is not conducive to eucalypts.

Next time you're in Melbourne and you feel like a good day out visit Melton for its clean, crisp air, its beautiful picturesque landscapes, and its great lifestyle, you'll............enjoy.

John.

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