The Winchelsea community have kindly made space along the Barwon River for a RV Park which allows free camping for up to two days.

The campground sits beside the Barwon River along which there is many kilometres of walking tracks.

One of the highlights along the river is the three arch bluestone bridge offically opened by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, on 3rd December 1867.

Other prominent bluestone building are the Shire Hall and St Thomas Anglican Church.

A bit of family history:

During the 1860’s our Great Great Grandparents James and Catherine Watson established the Karngun Hotel about eight kilometres southwest of Winchelsea near the corner of the Princess Highway and Armytage Road. James was a stonemason and together with Michael O’brien, he contracted to build several roads in the area. Read more here: https://dearwatsons.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/james-watson-pioneer/

Winchelsea today:

Barwon Park Mansion

A short drive out of Winchelsea is the imposing bluestone mansion built in the late 1860s for Thomas Austin, its first owner. Following a visit in 1967 by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the Austins were somewhat embrassed by their “humble abode” and so decide to build the new mansion. Thomas died not long after the forty-two room mansion was completed in 1871.

The property comprised 12,000 hectares, and was noted for its sheep and horses. Thomas Austin is also remember as the man who imported twelve pairs of rabbits into Australia so he and his well heel mates could indulge in a spot of rabbit hunting! His wife Elizabeth later made several very substantial donations to build hospitals in Melbourne and Geelong.