Exploring the historic ruins of Rockbank Inn
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Exploring the historic ruins of Rockbank Inn

Woodlea is proud to be carrying out significant works to preserve the heritage of the Rockbank area.

 

 

Dating back to the gold rush, the historic ruins of the heritage-listed Rockbank Inn are located in the north of the project near Aintree Reserve. Comprising three ruinous bluestone structures – believed to have been the hotel, a store building and a stable – the remains are expected to uncover thousands of artefacts dating from as early as the 1840s!

Located near Kororoit Creek and Beatty’s road – one of the main thoroughfares between Melbourne and Ballarat – Rockbank Inn was built in (approximately) 1853 by liquor merchants James Stewart and John “Como” Brown as an overnight stop for gold miners.

One of only a handful of gold rush hotel sites, archaeologists hope to find between 5000 and 20,000 artefacts that will provide valuable insight and information about the occupation and usage of the inn during the nineteenth century, while potentially linking the site to Eureka regiments.

Overseen by Heritage Victoria and made possible by Victoria Investments and Properties and Mirvac, once complete, the State Heritage Register-listed site will be stabilised and made safe for the public to visit the ruins. To learn more about this unique and exciting project, read the latest article as featured in The Age.