Cavendish: Discover local history and experiences

Cavendish offers tangible ways to connect with local history, a memorial walk and events on a trip. The former lock-up and the history of the Bunyip Hotel offer historical insights, while the Settlers Walk follows the riverbank. There is also the biennial Red Gum Festival in autumn and the annual Fleece and Flower Show. You can choose the focus of your stay and take event dates into account when planning your trip.

Local history: the lock-up and Bunyip Hotel

The former Cavendish Lock-up was probably built in the early 1860s and was still in use in 1963. Its presumed construction date and its use as late as 1963 provide two distinct points of reference for the building’s history.

The Bunyip Hotel has stood in the same place since the early days of the community and served as an inn at a river crossing. This brings two historical perspectives together: the lock-up is notable for its presumed early construction and later use, while the hotel is notable for its unchanged location and role as an inn. Together, these stories show that Cavendish’s past offers more than one point of connection, both in time and in theme.

Settlers Walk: commemoration and route

The Settlers Walk is a memorial to Cavendish’s Soldier Settlers, the pioneers of the mid-1950s. It follows an approximately 1,300-metre boardwalk along the riverbank to Cavendish’s eastern boundary. The walk is two kilometres long in total; at a leisurely pace, allow about 45 minutes for the route.

The route details describe different aspects: the approximately 1,300 metres refers to the boardwalk along the riverbank, while the two kilometres refers to the entire walk. For planning your day, you can therefore consider the total distance together with the approximate walking time. This helps you gauge the scope of the walk, while its commemorative purpose provides an additional historical connection.

Events throughout the year

Cavendish’s Red Gum Festival takes place every two years in autumn. The Cavendish Fleece and Flower Show is an annual gathering that supports local makers, producers and artists. It includes flower arrangements, handcrafted needlework, local photography, seasonal produce, homemade specialities and wool fleeces. The offerings may vary from one edition to the next.

The events differ both in frequency and focus: the Red Gum Festival is an autumn event held every two years, while the show takes place annually and showcases a range of work and produce. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the festival dates and the current edition of the show in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: San Remo, Wongarra, Toolleen, Moorabool, Inverloch, Amherst, Sea Lake, Yallambie

For the overarching travel guide: Victoria.