Cape Clear, Victoria

Cape Clear is a small town located in Victoria, Australia. Cape Clear has a hotel and a general store. The town is close to the Woady Yaloak River. The area was once vibrant during the gold rush in the 19th century with the area swamping to 25,000 people during the height of the gold rush with the local population being lower than 1,000. Cape Clear Post Office opened on 17 April 1865. and still ran and owned by the same family. It is now largely dependent on farming.

Cape Clear was named by Irish gold miners who originated from Cape Clear in Ireland. Despite its name, it is about 100 kilometres from the coast. A 13-metre-high model lighthouse with a working light was constructed near the hotel in 2008 to create a local landmark.

The Cape Clear Cast Iron Mileposts, located on Lismore-Scarsdale Road and Rokewood-Skipton Road, are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The Cape Clear Hotel

The Cape Clear Hotel is a historic pub in Cape Clear, Victoria, originally established in the 1860s during the Gold Rush. Over the years, it has served as a meeting place for both locals and travelers. The hotel is known for its collection of historical photos and memorabilia, reflecting the town’s past. While the building has been modified over time, it remains an important part of the local history. In 1935, a new building was constructed to serve as a hotel and restaurant, which has remained largely unchanged since then. However, by 2020, the liquor license, which had been in operation since its inception, expired, and the pub closed. The property has been sold several times since and is now being considered for conversion back into a hotel and pub.

The Cape Clear Garage

The Cape Clear Garage is a large, white garage built from corrugated iron, featuring two garage doors, a single front entrance, and four smaller windows. Its iconic petrol bowsers stand prominently outside the building, a familiar sight to locals who remember it being run by 'Uncle Tony and Auntie Betty' under the name Tony’s TC.

The Cape Clear General Store

The historic Cape Clear General Store, originally established in 1862 under the name Brown's Store and Bakery, holds a significant place in the town's heritage. As the only general store within the township, it continues to serve as a vital hub for the local community, offering a diverse range of goods and everyday essentials. Over the years, it has maintained its role as a central gathering place for residents, reflecting both the history and enduring spirit of Cape Clear.

The Post Office

The Post Office operates as an integral part of the Cape Clear General Store, serving as a vital lifeline for the town and its surrounding areas. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that mail, parcels, and other essential goods can be reliably sent to and received from the community. Beyond its practical function, the Post Office also helps maintain connections between residents and the wider region, supporting both personal and business communication. Its presence within the General Store adds to the store's significance as a central hub for daily life in Cape Clear.

The Cape Clear Primary School

Cape Clear Primary School is a public school situated along the main highway, next to the town's community hall and reserve.

The Cape Clear Recreation Reserve

The Cape Clear Recreation Reserve is a large football oval, with a shaded area next to it for some protection from the sun. Adjacent to the oval is the Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Hall, located at 11 Recreation Road, Cape Clear, VIC 3351. The hall is managed by the Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, which oversees its operations and maintenance. This committee receives support from the Golden Plains Shire Council, which provides annual maintenance grants to help sustain the facility.

Image: https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/goldenplains/news/tai-chi-teachings-to-clear-the-mind/

Additionally, Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Hall is powered by an off-the-grid solar system.

The community holds regular gatherings every Thursday, offering a welcoming space for residents to enjoy coffee and conversation during the day, followed by hot, home-cooked meals in the evening.

Furthermore, the community has been awarded a by the state government to upgrade the community hall and the surrounding reserve. This funding will support a range of improvement projects aimed at upgrading facilities, increasing accessibility, and enhancing the overall environment for the benefit of all residents and visitors.

The Bore

The reserve features a bore, along with the original 100,000-liter tank, which is part of the water supply system at Cape Clear Recreation Reserve. Recently, a new 58,000-liter tank was installed to further enhance water storage capacity. Additionally, a new standpipe has been added to improve water access and distribution. These facilities are part of the Golden Plains Shire Council’s network and are primarily used for stock and domestic water supply, available to residents through a permit system.

Image: http://www.capeclearfirebrigade.com/7/about

Cape Clear Rural Fire Brigade

The Cape Clear Rural Fire Brigade is a volunteer-based firefighting organization serving the rural communities of Cape Clear, Berringa, Staffordshire Reef, Piggoreet, Springdallah, and Pitfield in Victoria, Australia. Operating under the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the brigade is dedicated to protecting these areas from bushfires, structure fires, and other emergencies. The brigade is primarily staffed by local volunteers who are trained to respond to a wide range of incidents, including bushfires, structure fires, and medical emergencies. In addition to their emergency response duties, the brigade actively engages in community education and fire prevention programs, aiming to raise awareness about fire safety and preparedness among local residents.

The brigade operates out of a CFA depot, which is equipped with several fire engines. Historical images related to the brigade are prominently displayed at the Cape Clear Hotel, adding to the community's connection to the brigade's history. As an essential part of the region’s emergency management infrastructure, the Cape Clear Rural Fire Brigade provides vital services and support to the local community, ensuring their safety and well-being.

The Cape Clear Reservoir

The Cape Clear Reservoir is a vital piece of local infrastructure, supplying water to most of the town. Its effectiveness depends on the elevation of individual properties, with those situated at lower levels receiving water directly from the reservoir. Properties located at higher elevations, however, typically rely on alternative sources such as their own tank water, the bore at the nearby reserve, or purchased water supplies

The Cape Clear Church

The Cape Clear Church was sold into private ownership in 2019 and is now under the care of a private owner.

The Cape Clear Cemetery

The Cape Clear Cemetery is an active burial ground in Cape Clear, Victoria, with graves dating back to the Gold Rush era. Established in 1868, it contains the resting places of early pioneers, miners, and local families. The cemetery remains in operation today and is a historical site reflecting the region's heritage and the community’s evolution over time.

Temperature and Climate

The township frequently experiences strong winds during the month of August, with gusty conditions being a notable feature of the late winter season. While snowfall in the area is quite rare, there have been occasional instances in the past where the town has witnessed light snowfalls, adding a brief but memorable touch of winter to the local landscape.

River

Illabarook Creek, a river flowing just behind the town, is a well-known local landmark featuring a modern concrete bridge

Railways

The area features several heritage railway bridges, along with stretches of leveled ground that once supported long-disused railway lines.

Heritage listed sites

The township of Cape Clear contains several heritage sites, including:
* Annis & George Bills Horse Trough, Cape Clear-Rokewood Rd, Cape Clear VIC 3351
* Browns Store, Post Office and Bakery, 1475 Pitfield-Scarsdale Rd, Cape Clear VIC 3351
* Cape Clear Hotel, 1470 Scarsdale-Pitfield Road, Cape Clear, VIC 3351
* Cape Clear Bluestone Bridge
* Cape Clear Church, 900 Scarsdale - Pitfield Road, Springdallah, Vic 3351

Gallery

Image:CapeClearHotel.JPG, The Historic Cape Clear Hotel, The Hotel located in Cape Clear.
Image:Cape_Clear_Victoria_model_lighthouse.jpg, The Cape Clear Light House.
Image:Cape Clear Water Tanks and Boar.jpg, The town’s Borehole and associated Water tanks.
Image:Cape_Clear_Rec_Hall_Solar_System_3_Close_Up.jpg, Close-Up of the Recreation Hall's Solar System.
Image:Cape_Clear_Rec_Hall_Solar_System_2.jpg, Behind the Recreation Hall and Solar System.
Image:Cape_Clear_Rec_Hall_Solar_System_1.jpg, Side of the Recreation Hall and Solar System.
Image:Cape Clear Recreation Hall Defibrillator.jpg, Cape Clear Recreation Hall Defibrillator.
Image:Cape Clear Rec Center Interior.jpg, Cape Clear Recreation Hall Interior.
Image:Cape Clear Reserve Image A.jpg, Cape Clear Reserve.
Image:Cape Clear Reserve B..jpg, Cape Clear Reserve with Cover and Concrete Slab.
Image:Cape Clear Oval with Wooden Fence.jpg, Cape Clear Reserve Oval.
Image:Cape Clear Park and Light House Upwards Angle.jpg, Cape Clear Light House Upwards Angle.
Image:Cape Clear Marker (1).jpg, Cape Clear, Annis & George Bills Horse Trough.
Image:Cape Clear Marker (2).jpg, Cape Clear, Annis & George Bills Horse Trough Marker.
Image:Cape Clear Library Van.jpg, Cape Clear Library Van.
Image:Cape Clear Garage.jpg, Cape Clear Garage, Burnt Down.
Image:Cape Clear Park and Light House Plark.jpg, Light House Plark.
Image:Cape Clear Regional Map Park.jpg, Cape Clear Regional Map.
Image:Cape Clear CFA Signage.jpg, Cape Clear CFA Signage and Shed.
Image:Cape Clear CFA Shed Side Angle.jpg, Cape Clear CFA Shed Side Angle.
Image:Cape Clear CFA Shed Front.jpg, Cape Clear CFA Shed Front.
Image:Cape Clear General Store and Board.jpg, Cape Clear General Store and Board.
Image:Cape Clear General Store and Post Office Covered Area..jpg, Cape Clear General Store and Post Office Covered Area.
Image:Cape Clear General Store Board.jpg, Cape Clear General Store Board.
Image:Cape Clear General Store Board Close-Up.jpg, Cape Clear General Store Board Close-Up.

References

*Stone, W. W. (1980). ''Treasury of Australian Folklore''. Rigby.
*Withers, W. B. (1887). ''The History of Ballarat''. Ballarat: Niven.

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Towns in Victoria (state)
Golden Plains Shire