St Arnaud, Victoria – Things to Do, Heritage Buildings & Street Art

St Arnaud, Victoria – Things to Do, Heritage Buildings & Street Art

St Arnaud is a historic gold mining town in the Goldfields region of Victoria, located around 240 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and approximately 100 kilometres west of Bendigo. Originally established during the Victorian gold rush, St Arnaud is now known for its grand heritage buildings, beautiful gardens and impressive street art.

During our visit to St Arnaud, we wandered through town admiring the historic streetscapes, explored the Queen Mary Botanic Gardens and enjoyed a delicious morning tea. We also discovered the town’s street art and silo murals, visited Pioneer Park, followed parts of the heritage trail and took a scenic drive to Melville Caves.

St Arnaud and Queen Mary Gardens

St Arnaud began life as a gold rush settlement in the 1850s and was originally known as New Bendigo, a name chosen to attract miners by linking it to the successful Bendigo goldfields. As the town grew, it was renamed St Arnaud in honour of Jacques Leroy de Saint-Arnaud, Marshal of France.

Located in the heart of town, the Queen Mary Botanic Gardens are beautifully landscaped and provide a peaceful place to relax. Established in the late 19th century, the gardens feature shady trees, open lawn areas, colourful flower beds and a pond with an ornamental fountain that attracts plenty of ducks.

There are sealed walking paths, seating, picnic tables, a small playground and public toilets, making the gardens a lovely spot for a gentle stroll or break during your visit.

Historic Streets & Heritage Buildings

Wandering the streets of St Arnaud reveals a collection of impressive 19th-century buildings that reflect the town’s prosperous gold-rush past.

The St Arnaud Fire Station, built in 1883, is the oldest fire station in Victoria. Out the front is a rare historic post box dating back to the 1860s, one of only around 200 remaining in the state.

The St Arnaud Courthouse, constructed in 1866 in the Victorian Free Classical style, remains in use today. The veranda and double entry were added in the early 1880s, enhancing its stately appearance.

The Kara Kara Shire Hall, built in 1902, is a charming Federation-era building that once served as the shire’s administrative centre. Today it operates as The Shire Café, where we enjoyed morning tea. The café is open daily and serves great coffee, sweet treats, breakfast and lunch.

Kyle Torney Street Art & Silo Murals

One of the standout features of St Arnaud is its striking street art, much of it created by local artist Kyle Torney. As we wandered through town, we were captivated by his monochrome, Renaissance-inspired murals painted on buildings, sheds and laneways.

Torney’s artworks portray local identities and characters, creating emotionally powerful tributes to the community and its history.

In 2020, Kyle Torney completed his most ambitious work on the town’s silos. Titled “Hope”, the mural took more than 800 hours to complete and depicts a prospector panning for gold, his hopeful wife and young child — a powerful symbol of resilience and optimism during the gold-rush era.

Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is located on Chrysolite Hill and was once the site of the Lord Nelson Gold Mine, the richest mine in St Arnaud. Operating from the 1860s until 1915, the mine played a significant role in the town’s development.

Today, the park features interpretive signage, artefacts and information that explain the area’s gold-mining history, making it a worthwhile stop for history enthusiasts.

St Arnaud Heritage Trail

St Arnaud has a self-guided Heritage Trail that allows visitors to explore the town’s historic buildings at their own pace. A brochure is available from the Visitor Information Centre, located in the Old Crown Lands Office, built in 1876.

Highlights along the trail include:

• St Arnaud Town Hall – Originally built in 1869 and significantly expanded in 1898.

• Old Post Office – Constructed in 1866 with living quarters and a clock tower; now used as apartments.

• Botanical Hotel – Built in 1906 in Federation Filigree style, featuring ornate iron lacework.

• Scots Church – Built in 1876 with an impressive bell tower and spire; now the Uniting Church.

• Royal Hotel – A prominent hotel on Napier Street, built in 1874 and still operating today.

• Crones Building – A two-storey Federation Filigree building from 1910, built for local butcher James Crone.

• Old Victorian Inn – Built in 1876, still featuring its original horse and carriage entrance.

• Railway Station – Completed in 1879 and now home to the Raillery Hub, a local arts and crafts gallery.

Melville Caves

Approximately 40 kilometres north of St Arnaud, within Kooyoora State Park, are the impressive Melville Caves. This unique area is known for its massive granite outcrops and dramatic rock formations.

The caves are named after bushranger Captain Melville, who is believed to have used them as a hideout during the 1850s. From the car park, a short walk leads to a lookout with sweeping views across the surrounding farmland.

We also enjoyed exploring the enormous granite rocks up close, where natural crevices and formations create cave-like spaces.

Why Visit St Arnaud, Victoria

St Arnaud is a rewarding destination that blends gold-rush history, heritage architecture, creative street art and beautiful gardens. With its relaxed pace, fascinating stories and easy access to natural attractions like Melville Caves, it’s an ideal stop when exploring regional Victoria or travelling through the Northern Grampians region.

👉 Click here for the Top 10 Things to do in Bendigo