Smythesdale, Victoria
The town was established during the Victorian Gold Rush, and the Post Office opened on 14 July 1854. The town was known as Smythe's Creek until 1864.
Facilities in the town include the Court House Hotel, a bluestone police lock up, constructed in 1869 and the old Court House, now home to the local historical society. The former courthouse closed on 1 January 1983 after having not been visited by a Magistrate since 1976, was briefly used as a Sunday school, and was then leased to the historical society in 1985.
Smythesdale is the birthplace of Arthur Alfred Lynch, a polymath who was trained in engineering and medicine, wrote poetry, was a Member of the British Parliament and fought against the British in the Second Boer War. It was also home to women's rights activist, Lillias Margaret Skene.
Heritage listed sites
Smythesdale contains a number of heritage listed sites, including:
- Glenelg Highway, Glenelg Highway Stone Mileposts
- 64 Brooke Street, Smythesdale Court House
- Surface Hill Road, Surface Hill Hydraulic Gold Sluicing Pit