Country Towns: Birregurra
Emily McDonald, host of Yalloak House
Birregurra’s History
Birregurra is located near the foothills of the picturesque Otways, just 45 minutes from Geelong and 30 minutes from Lorne, on the Great Ocean Road. The name Birregurra is derived from the Indigenous word 'burai gurray', or kangaroo camp. In the 1860s, the tiny township comprised a flour mill, blacksmith, bootmaker and butcher, as well as several hotels. Once a bridge was constructed over the river, Birregurra was the main transport route between Geelong and Colac, until the construction of the Princes Highway in the 1920s. In 1877, the arrival of the railway line saw increased growth in the local population. A branch line to Forrest was established in 1889, allowing the development of the timber industry in the Otways.
By the 1870-80s, Birregurra was producing wheat, potatoes, peas, oats, barley, swedes, turnips and onions — which surrounding farms still produce to this day. Birregurra also became the central marketplace for fat cattle, and remains a quality producing area for fat cattle and lambs. The saleyards were originally where the town’s medical centre now sits. The remnants of the old Birregurra racecourse still remain on a local farm, the owner unwilling to disturb this local remnant of history…and folklore says the ‘St Patrick’s day races’ at Birregurra were an event to be anticipated! The Birregurra Cup is still a fixture held in March at the Colac Racecourse.
Birregurra’s Main Street, pictured above, remains largely the same as it was back in the 1800s - take a stroll to admire the heritage shopfront facades, and you’ll find a providore, historical centre, homewares store, bakery, general store & cafe among others. While there was once a choice of four churches to worship at, today there are just two - the bluestone Anglican Christ Church was built in 1870, and St. Peter’s, constructed of red brick, was opened in 1907.
Yalloak House
Yalloak House was built around 1910, when the land was subdivided from the local ‘Ripplevale’ estate. It was purchased in 1918 by the McDonald family, in whose hands it remains. By 2020, ‘Yalloak’ had fallen into some disrepair. We completely restumped her, replaced rotten verandah posts and weatherboards, repaired and sanded floors, and painted inside. Both bathrooms were renovated, and we’ve begun painting the exterior, which remains a work in progress! Now short stay accommodation offering a true farmstay experience, ‘Yalloak’ can be booked for weekend getaways or longer stays. Book direct at www.yalloakhouse.com.
We live on the same farm as Yalloak, in the home my children’s grandfather was raised in and which their great-grandparents purchased in 1918. They love to hear his stories of childhood here; driving to school in the horse and cart, milking the cow, churning the butter and collecting the eggs. He remembers when electricity arrived here, and recalls how cold the ‘sleepout’ (no longer a part of the house) was in the winter. Ian’s seen a lot of changes over 85 years of life here, and we love to hear his recollections.
While You’re in Town
Stop in at Otway Artisan for great coffee and the finest gluten free baked goods, and enjoy country pub fare at the Royal Mail Hotel in the main street. Choose some gourmet treats and local wine from Yield to take back to your accommodation, and visit Birregurra General for cooking supplies. Shop at Dymond and Dymond or at Inheritance Patchwork. Pick up a heritage trail map from the general store and discover the town’s architectural and cultural heritage. Play a round at the Birregurra Golf Club, and try your luck on the second hole, ‘Niagara’, where you tee off from the top of the hill and try to land on the green at the bottom, on the banks of the Barwon River.
Further afield, the tiny town of Forrest is a 20 minute drive, home to a range of walking and mountain biking trails winding through stunning rainforest. Head to popular Forrest Brewery for a beer, and Platypi Chocolates’ decadent hot chocolate and handmade chocolates are to die for.
It’s a picturesque drive through pristine forest to the Great Ocean Road and Lorne, and an hour to Apollo Bay and the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures - zipline through the rainforest, or take the 600m treetop walk.
