Dargo

Overview

Dargo is one of Victoria’s most remote communities, nestled in the foothills of the Dargo High Plains. The town is known for its groves of century-old walnut trees that line the valley floor

Today the town is a producer of timber, and stockmen reside in the nearby Dargo High Plains. The town is a popular destination for four-wheel drive enthusiasts, and bushwalkers as well as trout fisherman.

History

The area around Dargo was explored by Angus McMillan in 1839, on behalf of Lachlan Macalister, who established a run of around 8000 hectares which was managed by McMillan.

Farming proved difficult in the mountainous terrain but gold traces were found and, in the early 1860s, a Government prospecting party located gold along the Crooked River. This led to a major rush along the river and further east at Mount Pleasant, the largest mining settlement in the area, which was renamed Grant in 1865.

Although water races and an old cemetery overlooking the town testify to a modest rush at Dargo itself, the town was primarily an intermediate staging post on the journey to the nearby fields and so it too declined with the mining.  Today Dargo is a timber and cattle town and the surrounding area is noted for its willow and huge walnut trees.

Places of interest

100 year old Dargo Pub
Dargo High Plains
Wonnangatta Station
Old Walnut Groves
Dargo Historical Museum
Disused mine shafts still with old equipment therein

Accommodation

Accommodation options in Dargo include the 100 year old hotel, a motel, B & B, Caravan Park and five cottages. For further information please visit:

Tourism Wellington
http://www.tourismwellington.com.au/accommodation.asp

Wellington Visitor Information Centre
8 Foster Street (Princes Highway), Sale
Open: 7 days a week 9.00am-5.00pm
Telephone: 03 5144 1108
Email: admin@tourismwellington.com.au

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