Mount Macedon - Culture and History

Stone-grinding sites indicate that the mountain was being used by Aborigines long before it was climbed in 1836 by Thomas Mitchell. Having sighted Port Phillip from its summit he named it after Philip of Macedon.

Timbergetters were the first Europeans to occupy the area. The wood was used for some of Melbourne's early homes and in the goldmines of the 1850s. As the timber began to disappear there were calls for controls and fruit orchards were developed. Bushranger Frank McCallum (alias Captain Melville) was active in the district in the 1850s.

In the 1870s, the beauty and coolness of the slopes began to attract members of Melbourne's wealthy social elite and the government released some blocks on the south side of the mountain to the landed and business classes. Consequently a number of grand Victorian homes were established (including one for the state governor) as summer residences. At the peak of the resort's popularity in the 1890s some of these gracious residences were turned into guesthouses. However, the major legacy of the era was the establishment, around these mansions, of extensive ornamental gardens. Taken as a whole, they are considered to be one of the most important collections of 19th-century gardens in Australia (see entry on 'Gardens' under 'Things to See' for further information).

Distinguished artist Frederick McCubbin purchased the residence known as 'Fontainebleu' at Mount Macedon in 1901 and there painted and lived with his family.

In February 1983 the Ash Wednesday fires destroyed over 400 homes, burned out 30 000 hectares of forest and farmland and killed seven people. The fires raced uncontrollably up the slopes of Mt Macedon and, despite the efforts of 1000 volunteer firefighters, a number of old homes were razed. Some have been rebuilt and most of the gardens re-established.