# Dunolly

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Town in Victoria, Australia

Town in Victoria, Australia

Dunolly Town Broadway, the main street of Dunolly Dunolly Coordinates: 36°51′0″S 143°44′0″E / 36.85000°S 143.73333°E / -36.85000; 143.73333 Country Australia State Victoria LGA Shire of Central Goldfields Location 188 km (117 mi) NW of Melbourne 61 km (38 mi) W of Bendigo 23 km (14 mi) N of Maryborough Government • State electorate Ripon • Federal division Mallee Population • Total 893 (2016 census)[2] Postcode 3472 Localities around Dunolly Goldsborough Painswick Waanyarra Archdale Junction Dunolly Laanecoorie Mount Hooghly Bet Bet Bromley

**Dunolly** is a town in [Victoria](/source/Victoria%2C_Australia), [Australia](/source/Australia), located on the Dunolly - Maryborough Road, in the [Shire of Central Goldfields](/source/Shire_of_Central_Goldfields). At the [2016 census](/source/2016_Australian_census), Dunolly had a population of 893, down from 969 in 2006.

## History

The town began during the [Victorian Gold Rush](/source/Victorian_Gold_Rush). It is located on the traditional lands of the [Dja Dja Wurrung](/source/Dja_Dja_Wurrung) people, who called the area *Lea Kuribur*.

One of the first accounts of the Dunolly Gold Rush was recorded by the *[Bendigo Advertiser](/source/Bendigo_Advertiser)* on 3 July 1857 that estimated the population at 12,000. Confirmation of a rush followed on 10 July.[3]

The exact date that Dunolly was founded is unknown. The location of the township itself moved four times before the 1856 rush, further adding to the confusion of its early history. The modern town is the 5th location, and was founded in July 1856 with the previous resettlements driven by further discoveries of gold leads.[4] Technically, even at this time Dunolly was not a town. It was held as a municipality from 1858 to 1863, and wasn't officially declared a borough until 1 October 1863.[5]

Goldborough Post Office opened on 1 March 1856 and was renamed Dunolly in 1859.[6]

One of the largest natural gold nuggets ever found, the legendary "[Welcome Stranger](/source/Welcome_Stranger)", was discovered in nearby [Moliagul](/source/Moliagul%2C_Victoria) township.[7]

Rail came to Dunolly with the opening of the [Mildura railway line](/source/Mildura_railway_line) in 1875. Another branch line that connected to [Inglewood](/source/Inglewood%2C_Victoria) in 1888.

The Dunolly Magistrates' Court closed on 1 August 1981.[8]

## Attractions

Centred on the main street, Broadway, Dunolly features a rural transaction centre,[9] [SES](/source/State_Emergency_Service), [CFA](/source/Country_Fire_Authority), a pre-school and a primary school, and many businesses. Dunolly hosts a monthly market for vendors from all over Victoria and other states.

Although Dunolly is located on a major rail line, no passenger services are available, but regular bus services offer travel to and from Dunolly.

There is a local museum on Broadway which has a large collection of historic photographs, goldfields implements, replicas of gold nuggets, ladies fashions, needlework, and guns. It also offers a [family research](/source/Genealogy) facility and regular history tours.

Dunolly has become a favourite location for gold [fossicking](/source/Fossicking) using metal detectors. In 2016–2017, gold nuggets of 4 kg (8.8 lb) and 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) were found near Dunolly. The nuggets have been valued at around $300,000.[10][11]

## Sport and recreation

Dunolly has a prestigious 18 hole golf club, with sand greens and winding creeks, situated in Short St and caters for all classes of golfers.

**Dunolly Football / Netball Club**

The town's [Australian Rules](/source/Australian_Rules) football and netball club, the Dunolly Eagles was formed in 1873 and has competed in the [Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League) since 2004.[12]

In 1892, Dunolly defeated St Arnaud and won the prize of 20 gold medals[13] and in 1894 Dunolly defeated St Arnaud and won the Giles Premiership Trophy.[14]

Star AFL recruits, [Shannon Motlop](/source/Shannon_Motlop) and [Robbie Ahmat](/source/Robbie_Ahmat), played with the losing senior football team in the 2009 [Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League) grand final.[15]

- Football Timeline - 1873 - 1891: Club formed and played friendly matches, but no formal competition - 1892 - Giles Medals - 1893 - ? - 1894 - Giles Trophy - 1895 - Dunolly Electorate Trophy (Mr Daniel Duggan, MLA[16])[17] [Inglewood](/source/Inglewood%2C_Victoria) defeated Dunolly[18] - 1896 - 1897: Unknown competition - 1898 - 1902: Club active, but no formal competition - 1903 - ? Football Association. Premiers[19] - 1904 - Loddon Valley FA - 1907 - 1913: [Maryborough District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League) - 1914 - Dunolly Football Association[20] - 1915 - [Maryborough District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League)[21] - 1916 - 1918: DFC in recess, due to [World War One](/source/World_War_One). - 1919 - 1935: [Maryborough District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League) - 1936 - 1939: [Loddon Valley Football League](/source/Loddon_Valley_Football_League) - 1940 - [Maryborough District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League) - 1941 - 1944: Club in recess due to [World War Two](/source/World_War_Two) - 1945 - 1981: [Maryborough District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League) - 1982 - 2000: [Lexton Plains Football League](/source/Lexton_Plains_Football_League) - 2001 - 2003: [Loddon Valley Football League](/source/Loddon_Valley_Football_League) - 2004 - 2025: [Maryborough District Football League](/source/Maryborough_Castlemaine_District_Football_League)

- VFL / AFL Players - 1909 - [Stan Martin](/source/Stan_Martin) - [University](/source/Melbourne_University_Football_Club) - 1910 - [Harry Gathercole](/source/Harry_Gathercole) - [St Kilda](/source/St_Kilda_Football_Club) - 1925 - [Ned Kick](/source/Ned_Kick) - [Carlton](/source/Carlton_Football_Club) - 1951 - [Doug Beasy](/source/Doug_Beasy) - [Carlton](/source/Carlton_Football_Club)

## Gallery

		- Dunnoly New Birthday Mine, Goldsborough, Lode at the 500 ft level

		- Dunolly Court House

		- The central Post Office

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Australian Bureau of Statistics](/source/Australian_Bureau_of_Statistics) (28 June 2022). ["Dunolly (urban centre and locality)"](https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/UCL221023). *Australian Census 2021*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-abs_2-0)** [Australian Bureau of Statistics](/source/Australian_Bureau_of_Statistics) (27 June 2017). ["Dunolly (State Suburb)"](https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2016/SSC25523). *2016 Census QuickStats*. Retrieved 1 October 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["A great rush"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88051160). *Bendigo Advertiser (Victoria, Australia)*. 3 July 1856. p. 2. Retrieved 4 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Flett, James (1956). *Dunolly, the Story of an Old Gold-diggings Town*. Poppet Head Press.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Dunolly Municipality 1858–1863"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140112171331/http://members.westnet.com.au/likelyprospects/dunolly_municipality.html). *members.westnet.com.au*. Archived from [the original](http://members.westnet.com.au/likelyprospects/dunolly_municipality.html) on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Post_Office_6-0)** Phoenix Auctions History. ["Post Office List"](http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&filter=*Dunolly*). Retrieved 23 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Moliagul"](http://www.theage.com.au/news/Victoria/Moliagul/2005/02/17/1108500206985.html). *www.theage.com.au*. Retrieved 5 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Special Report No. 4 - Court Closures in Victoria"](https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/19860901-Special-Report-4-Court-Closures-in-Victoria.pdf) (PDF). Auditor-General of Victoria. 1986. p. 56. Retrieved 12 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Rural Transaction Centres"](https://infrastructure.gov.au/department/annual_report/2002_2003/P3-3-2-18.aspx). *infrastructure.gov.au*. Retrieved 4 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Langmaid, Aaron (30 May 2017). ["Veteran prospector Syd Pearson tells of the moment he found a 4.3kg gold nugget"](https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/veteran-prospector-syd-pearson-tells-of-the-moment-he-found-a-43kg-gold-nugget-ng-b88491237z). *The West Australian*. Retrieved 5 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Gold nugget weighing 4kg found in Victoria"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-25/gold-nugget-weighing-more-than-4kg-found-in-central-victoria/7785204). *ABC News*. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-footy_12-0)** ["Dunolly"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100612191242/http://fullpointsfooty.net/dunolly.htm), *Full Points Footy*, archived from the original on 12 June 2010, retrieved 15 April 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["1892 - Country Football"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/199330819). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954). 1 July 1892. p. 7. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["1894 - Country Football"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197467582). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954). 9 August 1894. p. 3. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["2009 - MCDFNL Grand Final Result"](https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=122684261&c=0-6176-0-84309-0&pool=1001). *Gameday*. MCDFNL. 20 September 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Daniel Duggan Profile"](https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/daniel-duggan/). *Victorian Parliament*. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["1894 - Inglewood"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88953443). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918). 17 May 1895. p. 4. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["1895 - Sporting Notes: Football"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/265501416). The Tarrangower Times and Maldon Advertiser (Vic. : 1894 - 1911). 16 October 1895. p. 2. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["1903 - COUNTRY FOOTBALL"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189348829). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954). 24 September 1903. p. 9. Retrieved 19 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["1914 - Football"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241771833). The Evening Echo (Ballarat, Vic. : 1914 - 1918). 2 September 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["1915 - Football"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/152148792). Bealiba Times (Vic. : 1915 - 1918). 16 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2025.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Dunolly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dunolly).

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Dunolly](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Dunolly#Q739912)***.

- [Dunolly, Victoria](http://www.dunolly.com.au/) Official website

- [Dunolly Historic Precinct](http://dunollyhistoricprecinct.com.au/)

v t e Localities in the Shire of Central Goldfields Town Bealiba^ Carisbrook^ Dunolly^ Maryborough Talbot Locality Adelaide Lead Alma Amherst Archdale^ Archdale Junction^ Bet Bet Betley Bowenvale Bromley Caralulup Cotswold Craigie Daisy Hill Dunach Dunluce Eddington^ Emu^ Flagstaff Golden Point Goldsborough^ Havelock Joyces Creek^ Majorca Moliagul^ Moolort^ Moonlight Flat Mount Glasgow Mount Hooghly Natte Yallock^ Rathscar^ Red Lion Simson Strathlea^ Timor Timor West Wareek^ ^ - Territory divided with another LGA

Authority control databases Yale LUX

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