A town in the rich Upper Ovens River Valley, Myrtleford is a progressive agricultural town which produces tobacco, hops, timber, dairy produce, prime beef and walnuts. Myrtleford is the largest town in the Alpine Shire and is an important commercial centre in the Ovens and Buffalo River Valley. Agriculture and timber are important industries in the area. Tobacco was for many years a major crop in the area until the industry closed down in 2006.
Location: 45 km south-east of Wangaratta and 275 km north-east of Melbourne on the Ovens Highway. Map
Brief History: Aboriginal people inhabited the Alpine Valleys and high country for thousands of years prior to European settlement, and knew its flora, fauna, geography and seasonal changes intimately. Groups visited the Alps in summer to hold ceremonies and gather the nutritious Bogong moths that shelter there. European settlement began in the early 19th century and from 1837, the township of Myrtleford was a remote cattle run known as the Myrtle Creek Run. Forming the boundary of the runs, Myrtle Creek was given its name by the first Europeans in the area.
When gold was discovered in the Buckland Valley, thousands of diggers had to cross Myrtle Creek on their way to the goldfields. A small township developed around the fording place, with the name of Myrtleford consequently adopted. The road through Myrtleford was then called the Buckland Road; today it is known as the Great Alpine Road. The Post Office opened on 26 July 1858 as Myrtle Creek and was renamed Myrtleford in 1871.
Points of Interest: Mt. Buffalo National Park; Ovens River; Happy Valley Creek; Barwidgee Creek; Snow Lion Red Deer Stud and Emu Farm; Old School Museum