Birregurra is a little town on the banks of the Barwon River, about 45 minutes West of Geelong and 30 minutes inland from Lorne. It sits near the foothills of the Otways, which are not far south of the township. It’s name is thought to mean ‘Kangaroo Camp’. In the late 1930s it was known as ‘Bowden’s Point’ having been established as an Aboriginal mission. It was surveyed in the 1860s and by then comprised a Flour Mill, Blacksmith, Bootmaker and Butcher as well as several hotels. Once a bridge was constructed over the river, Birregurra became the main transport route between Geelong and Colac, until the construction of the Princes Highway in the 1920s. In 1877 the arrival of the Railway line saw increased growth in the local population. A branch line to Forrest was established in 1889 which allowed the development of the timber industry in the Otways.
By the 1870s and 80s Birregurra saw steady population growth and was producing (as it continues to today) wheat, potatoes, peas, oats, barley, swedes, turnips and onions. Today Birregurra is also known for producing quality ryegrass seed, and when conditions are favourable, oilseed crops. Birregurra also became the central marketplace for fat cattle, and remains a quality producing area for fat cattle and lambs today. The saleyards were where the Medical Centre now sits, but the ‘Birregurra Weaner Sale’ is still an anticipated annual event, held at the Colac Saleyards. The remnants of the Birregurra racecourse still remain on a local farm, the owner being unwilling to disturb this local remnant of history. Folklore says the ‘St Patrick’s day races’ at Birregurra were an event to be anticipated! ‘The Birregurra Cup’ is still a fixture held in March at the Colac Racecourse.
The Birregurra Main Street, pictured below, is a strip of shops running from Strachan Street at one end, to Austin Street at the other. The facades are much the same today as they always were, but the businesses within have varied over the years. Currently they comprise a Providore, Historical Centre and Op Shop, Pub, Homewares store, General store, Bakery and cafe, Fabric and patchwork shop, and a Hairdresser. Further up the Main Street sits the Police Station and Kindergarten, while the school is tucked further up the hill within the township. On the opposite side of the Main Street we’re lucky enough to have a Medical Centre and Pharmacy. While there was once a choice of four churches to worship at, today there are just two – the bluestone Anglican Christ Church, and St. Peter’s, the red brick Catholic Church.
The Birregurra Main Street, 1950. The War Memorial has now been moved to the footpath in front of the hall on the opposite side of the street. Word has it, my husband’s grandmother gave it several accidental nudges in her car when it was on the road!
Birregurra Main Street, 2021.
The township today spans both sides of ‘Main Street’, much of it stretching up the hill, locally known as ‘Hendy’s Hill’ as a nod to the Henderson family who are long term residents of the top.
View down to Birregurra from the top of ‘Hendy’s Hill’, circa 1980-90. Today much of this area has been subdivided and built on.
‘Yalloak House’ pictured below in her mission brown days of the 1970s, was built around 1910, when the land was subdivided from the local ‘Ripplevale’ estate. It was purchased in 1918 by the McDonald family, in whose hands it remains.
‘Yalloak’ in the 1970s.
“Yalloak’, 2021.
By 2020, ‘Yalloak’ had fallen into some disrepair. We completely restumped her, replaced rotten verandah posts and weatherboards, repaired and sanded floors, and painted inside. We renewed both bathrooms, and began on painting the exterior, which remains a work in progress! Now short stay accommodation, ‘Yalloak’ can be booked for a weekend or more, at www.yalloakhouse.com.
We live on the same farm as Yalloak, in the home my children’s grandfather was raised in and which their Great-Grandparents purchased in 1918. They love to hear his stories of childhood here; driving to school in the horse and cart, milking the cow and churning the butter, collecting the eggs. He remembers when electricity arrived here, and recalls how cold the ‘sleepout’ (no longer a part of the house) was in the winter. Ian’s seen a lot of changes over 85 years of life here, and we love to hear his recollections.
Other things to do in Birregurra:
- Coffee and gluten free bread at Otway Artisan, Main Street Birregurra.
- A meal at the Royal Mail Hotel, Main Street Birregurra.
- Select some treats or wine from Yield, Main Street Birregurra.
- Pop into Birregurra General for supplies, coffee, snacks and takeaway.
- Shop at Dymond and Dymond or at Inheritance Patchwork
- Pick up a Heritage Trail map from the General Store and walk the town heritage trail.
- Play a round at the Birregurra Golf Club, enjoy the 2nd hole, ‘Niagara’ where you tee off from the top of the hill and try to land on the green at the bottom, on the banks of the Barwon River.
Things to do further afield:
- Forrest (20 mins) – explore the bike trails, walks, West Barwon Dam, Platypi Chocolates, Forrest Brewery.
- Lorne (30 minutes) – Beach, Cafes, Restaurants, Shopping.
- Apollo Bay (1 hour)
- Colac (15 minutes) – Lake Colac, Beechy Rail Trail, supermarkets, fuel and essentials.