Trentham - Culture and History

The first pastoral run was taken up here in 1838. Trentham was first settled in 1855 after the discovery of gold in the area the previous year by two individuals who had wandered up the Lerderderg River in search of lost bullocks. The vast timber resources of the area were exploited from that time with a number of mills emerging in the Wombat Forest.

The railway arrived in 1880 and, in 1890, over 20 000 tons of produce (mostly timber) left the station. The prospect of disappearing resources led to the controlled harvesting of timber from the turn of the century. Timbergetting and farming ensured that Blackwood survived the end of the goldrush. It was here that the once indispensable Trewhalla jack-and-stump grubber was invented at the local foundry.

Eucalyptus distilling, charcoal burning, sawmilling and firewood-cutting were all carried out in the forest which is dotted with a number of smaller settlements - East Trentham, Blackwood, North Blackwood, Barrys Reef, Newbury, Simmons Reef, Lyonville, Little Hampton and Fern Hill.

Trentham has an hotel (in High St), a bowling club (in Park St), a sports ground and popular golf course (both located at the northern end of town adjacent the road to Trentham Falls and Daylesford), a swimming pool (cnr Camp and Market Sts) and tennis courts (Market St). Fishing can be rewarding along the banks of the Coliban River.