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Set along the edge of the dormant volcano Tower Hill, Koroit has a fascinating Irish charm. A large number of Irish immigrants made Koroit their home in the 1840s and 1850s, with one of the most obvious links between Koroit and Ireland the potato crops grown in the rich volcanic soil surrounding the town. The Koroit Irish Festival is held annually on the first weekend in May to celebrate the town's heritage.
What should I do?
- Walk or drive the town’s Heritage Trail, which has 30 places of interest. Eight sites in the town are listed on the Register of the National Estate
- Relax, enjoy a picnic and the playground at the lovely Botanic Gardens, designed by renowned landscape gardener and horticulturalist William Guilfoyle
- Visit the art gallery, antique shops, stores and eating venues throughout town
- Take a walk or bike ride along the spectacular Port Fairy-Warrnambool Rail Trail, which includes Koroit
- Visit the absolutely superb State Game Reserve and dormant volcano, Tower Hill (further information can be found at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or www.worngundidj.org.au )
- Take a drive through Killarney and the lush green countryside that lured the Irish to their new home
Further information on Koroit can be found at the town’s official, comprehensive website, www.visitkoroit.com.au
Koroit and Tower Hill's history
At the time of European settlement the place we now know as Tower Hill and Koroit would have looked vastly different.
The land was thickly forested with drooping she-oaks and manna gums with ferns and other under storey plants thriving in the rich chocolate brown soil.
The local aboriginal men of the Peek Whuurong tribe - there were about 120 of the tribe living in the area - were described as being almost six foot tall and of stout build. This is not suprising, as their diet was rich and varied, with shellfish, kangaroo and native plants in abundance. It is this fertile volcanic soil that is still the very essence of Koroit.
The name Koroit was given to the area around Tower Hill by Robert Hoddle, Chief Surveyor for Port Phillip, when surveying the Port Fairy area about 1845. The exact meaning of the word is unclear. It is certainly from the language of the Peek Whuurong but whether it means fire, or is the word for Tower Hill itself - or has yet another meaning - is still a matter of debate.
Europeans were in the region from the late 1830s and by the early 1840s small pockets of land were under cultivation, mainly by farmers from the Port Fairy area. In 1843 William Rutledge, a Protestant from County Cavan, obtained from the crown 5120 acres at £1 per acre.
This parcel of land was known as the Farnham Special Survey.
It stretched from Killarney, south of Tower Hill, to the Merri River and perhaps more than any other occurrence had a great impact on the Koroit district. Rutledge encouraged Irish immigrants to become tenant farmers on his lands by offering them 14 year leases for small holdings and good incentives to clear the land and plant crops.
The discovery of gold in Victoria (1851) was also a catalyst for the region. The rapidly growing population on the goldfields required food and agricultural workers were in great demand to ensure these needs were met. These were the years immediately following the Irish potato famine (the mid 1840s) and the opportunities offered in Victoria at that time were grasped with both hands by many Irish families. By the late 1850s the Irish population in this district easily outnumbered the other settlers, who were generally Scottish and English.
In 1855 the Government Surveyor was asked to select a site for a National School; up until this time all schools were south and west of Tower Hill. He selected crown land to the north of Tower Hill along a track which now serves as one of the main entries to the town - High Street.
Two years later, in 1857, he was instructed to lay out a small town again to the north of Tower Hill. Up until this time there had been no real town, even though the area was quite densely settled with farming families on small acreages. The town was laid out on unalienated Crown land, which included the site of the National School.
The newly surveyed township was laid out with allotments for various church denominations, allotments for civic purposes, residential blocks, even a 20-acre site for public gardens. The township developed quite rapidly and by the 1870s Koroit was a flourishing town, with shops, banks, hotels and all the indications of a vibrant and thriving community.
Koroit Dining and Accommodation
 ADDRESS: High Street, Koroit, 3282PHONE: (03) 55657 926 or 0429 382 427 EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it WEB: www.portfairycaravanparks.com The Koroit-Tower Hill Caravan Park is only a five minute walk to the town centre and is located adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, cricket and football ovals, indoor and outdoor bowls, croquet and other sporting facilities. |
 ADDRESS: 100 Commercial Road, Koroit, 3282PHONE: (03) 5565 8346 FAX: (03) 5565 8145 EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Experience a little touch of Ireland closer to home when you visit the Olde Courthouse Inn, Koroit's first pub. Built in 1852, it later became known as the Drumfernline Inn, operated by a Scotsman from Aberdeen. Fully restored with the original metal linings, high ceilings, open fireplaces and antique furniture, visitors can enjoy Queen size beds with ensuites, beautiful gardens and a heated pool. The Olde Courthouse Inn is an award-winning, four-star AAA rated accommodation. |
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 ADDRESS: 118 Commercial Road, Koroit, 3282 Currently being renovated, this trendy, historic, fully self-contained one-bedroom townhouse is right in the centre of town! Nearing completion, this former historic shop has undergone a full restoration and will soon be available for holiday or medium term accommodation. Surprisingly spacious, the townhouse now features a large lounge with reverse cycle heating, solid jarrah kitchen, master bedroom with BIR & Queen Sized bed, and dining room with French doors leading to the rear courtyard. There is loads of character throughout, such as polished baltic pine lining boards, Art Nouveau fretwork, ceiling roses and old time colour schemes. Off-street parking is available and you can walk to all facilities! The Cop Shop Townhouse is ideal for couples, but will accommodate up to four people. Great cooked breakfast facilities are available literally across the road! |
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ADDRESS: 101 Commercial Road, Koroit, 3282 PHONE: +61 3 5565 8201 FAX: +61 3 5565 8203 EMAIL:
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Established in 1853, this famous hotel has retained its Irish integrity and character. Take pleasure in a good yarn with a local over a smooth Guinness on tap, enjoy live music or dine in the hotel's unique home-style resaurant, where Irish favourites are a feature. B&B accommodation is also available to experience the charm of the hotel. Open seven days for lunch and dinner. |
 ADDRESS: 95 Commercial Road, Koroit, 3282
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ADDRESS: 126 Commercial Road, Koroit, 3282 Offering the best quality baked goods and a unique cafe/art gallery experience that stimulates the senses. Bakery: best quality baked goods at the best possible price with better than expected service. Cafe: the best relaxing enviroment to enjoy good food and beverages in Koroit. Gallery: to provide exceptional everchanging art exhibitions to enhance and encourage visitation.The bakery/cafe/gallery will - without compromise - stimulate taste, sight, smell and touch to enhance and add value to any visit to our business. Take the time... experience it! |
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