History & Heritage Sites

Indigo Shire Council - Rutherglen and Chiltern

Step into Chiltern and you'll find one of Victoria's most beautifully preserved historic townships. Once a thriving gold rush town on the original Melbourne to Sydney route, Chiltern's streets are lined with grand public buildings, former hotels, churches and shopfronts that have stood for more than 150 years.

It's no surprise Chiltern has appeared in films, television productions and music videos over the years. With its authentic streetscapes and remarkable collection of heritage buildings, exploring the town can feel a bit like stepping onto the set of a period drama.

Step inside Dow's Pharmacy, one of Australia's most fascinating historic pharmacies. Established in 1859, the shop remains remarkably intact, with original fittings, medicines and equipment preserved almost exactly as they were when the doors closed in 1969.

Make time to explore the Chiltern Athenaeum Museum, housed within a grand 1866 building that has served as a library, town hall and council chambers. Today, its extensive collection of books, artworks and local artefacts helps tell the stories of the people who built and shaped Chiltern. The Chiltern Athenaeum Museum is open to visitors Wednesdays and Sundays, 10am - 3pm.

A short walk from the town centre, Lake View House offers a glimpse into life in a prosperous gold-mining town. Built in 1870 and furnished in period style, the elegant red-brick villa was once home to author Henry Handel Richardson, whose childhood memories of Chiltern later inspired parts of her celebrated novel The Fortunes of Richard Mahony.

Continue your journey through Chiltern's rich past at: