A real town

Whilst Walhalla is a popular Gippsland tourist destination, it is also a real town. By that, I mean it is not a tourist park such as Old Gippstown or Sovereign Hill. So you won’t see people dressed up in period costumes or putting on shows. This gives Walhalla a charm and atmosphere that will leave you dreaming of living, or having a holiday rental, in this quant town.

There is no entry cost for visiting Walhalla township, rather admission fees apply for specific activities such as the goldmine and train.

Golden History

The township of Walhalla started for one reason – GOLD!  After Ned Stringer first found gold in the stream (now called Stringers Creek) the area become inundated with people looking to strike it lucky and get rich. At its peak Walhalla had around 3,000 people, now that population is around 20.  This gold boom was significant enough to warrant a train line being constructed along with 10 hotels, school, halls and over 30 shops.

However, as gold became unprofitable in the early 1900’s the mines starting closing and the population of Walhalla reduced.

Information on Walhalla can be found on the Visit Walhalla website (recommend downloading the Visitor Guide), Visit Gippsland website and in various books such as Walhalla Heyday by G.F James and C.G. Lee.

Things to do in Walhalla

There are so many things to do in Walhalla, and whilst it is a popular destination for day trips, staying for a weekend will allow you to relax and take your time.

Gold Mine

The Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine operates highly informative tours on a daily basis. These tours are a great way to learn about the gold mining history of Walhalla and the passion of the tour guides is infectious!

Cost: $50 for a family, $20 adults, under 16 $15, under 5 year old free.

Please check the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine website for current prices and operating times.

If visiting the mine doesn’t interest you, but you want to explore this history, then pop into the information area next to the tour desk. You can look into the mine from the outside if it open, and you can see mine entrances along the tram line, along with old equipment.

Train

Why drive when you can catch the train? Especially when the train weaves its way along the hillside, following the curves of the creek. Oh, and it scenically crosses the Thomson River. Do you need more convincing to take the Walhalla train?

The Walhalla Goldfields Railway runs between the Thomson Station into Walhalla and takes around 20 minutes one way.

Take a return journey or do a car shuffle if you only want to go one-way.

Cost for one-way: Family $60, Adult $25, Children 3-16 years $10.

Cost for return: Family $80, Adult $30, Children 3-16 years $25

Please check the Walhalla Goldfields Railway website for current prices and operating times.

Walks

Walking is by far the best way to soak up the atmosphere of Walhalla. A popular walk is to start near the Post Office and take the tram track to the Goldmine entrance or continue on to the campgrounds then walk back along the road. Whilst walking along the road it is customary to pick which house you would like to live in, or which one you will come back and stay in. Or maybe it’s only me that does that?!

Other great walks include visiting the hospital and the Cricket Ground – both of which involve walking up a steep hill. I don’t know who decided to put the hospital at the top of a hill! Guess it made sure only the very sick made the trek! Personally, I have never made it to the cricket ground as walking uphill for 1km to see a cleared patch of ground doesn’t thrill me. But, it is historically significant and the Cricket Ground walk is a popular Walhalla activity.

RECOMMENDED | Another enjoyable walk is to park at the Thomson River train carpark and walk along the old tramline into Walhalla. Or start at Walhalla and walk back to Thomson River. This walk is approximately 7 km and starts across the river from the carpark. A mother of a hill (Mormon Town Track) is the first section. Then the track stays flat along the Australian Alps Walking Track, until you come down the hill into Walhalla. Either do a car shuffle with a friend, or more excitingly catch the train back to the car. Make sure to check the train timetable and operating status beforehand.

Looking for a longer walk? The Australian Alps Walking Track will take you 650 km from Walhalla all the way to Canberra. Allow around 10 weeks to complete this epic walk!

Cost: Free unless taking the train one-way if doing the walk from Walhalla to Thomson Station

Cemetery

The creepy, arm-hair raising cemetery is perched on the steep hill between the Wally Pub and Train Station, and gosh I love it! The cemetery is in no way manicured or beautifully landscaped, but the age and rudimentary grave sites make this an intriguing location.

Cost: Free

Ghost Tours

Another popular Walhalla activity is to go on a Ghost Tour! Are you brave enough to walk around Walhalla in the dark looking for ghosts? Even if you don’t see a ghost the tours are very informative and offer scary but intriguing tales from the past.

Cost: Family $80, Adult $30, Child $25

Please check the Walhalla Ghost Tour website for current prices and operating times.