Australia has plenty of stunning cities and landscapes to fawn over: beautiful beaches, collections of gleaming skyscrapers, and winding desert roads tend to dominate the searches when you look up the land down under. However, there are plenty of small towns and cities that get lost in the shadow of the iconic spots that are worth checking out. One such town is Woodend, Victoria, a place with a charming vibe as well as a fascinating history.

Whether you’re looking for a new place to live or simply an interesting spot for a road trip, here are some interesting things you might never have known about the town of Woodend, Australia.

1. Aboriginal history

Woodend was originally settled on Dja Dja Wurrung territory. These aboriginal people, who still inhabit the area, cultivated a careful relationship with the land itself and have a rich cultural history that is intricately tied to the geography of Woodend. Situated in the southeast corner of Australia, the area is rich in forests and surrounded by mountainous rangers with plenty of waterfalls that feature heavily in the traditions and practices of the Dja Dja Wurrung people.

2. Gold town

After colonial powers began to take over Australia, Major Thomas Mitchell, a Scottish surveyor, was the first to recognize Woodend and turn it into a town. Soon afterward, gold was discovered in the area and Woodend became a major stop on the route for gold diggers who flocked to Australia during its gold rushes.

The post office in Woodend was opened in 1854 in order to support the sudden influx of gold seekers, and much of the horse and pony culture that still exists in the area developed from the riding traditions of these early miners.

3. Architectural diversity

As a result of its colonial history and its central place between Melbourne and the Black Forest, Woodend boasts a wide diversity of architecture. Some of the older buildings, like St Mary’s Church, reflect traditional and historical styles. Islay House is another example of colonial architecture in Woodend, which represents its history as an English town on the route between Melbourne and mines further inland.

On the other hand, much of the residential architecture of Woodend is significantly more modern. Houses that take advantage of the pastoral beauty of the landscape feature plenty of big windows and wide-open spaces to appreciate. Realtors in the area, for example, showcase houses for sale in Woodend that reflect beautiful some truly modern designs.

4. Snow!

When people think of Australia, they rarely think of snowy white caps or winter whites. However, because of its location on the Macedon Ranges, Woodend is one of the places in the country that can boast occasional snowfall!

Besides having naturally cooler temperatures than much of its surrounding geography, Woodend is also famous for its beautiful autumn season, where the leaves of all the deciduous trees in the area turn stunning shades of red, orange, and gold.