M. E. Morgan's Buildings (AD 1908), a run of old buildings in the centre of Donald

Donald
Attractive service town on the banks of the Richardson River
Donald is a town of some 1700 people laid out around a serpentine stretch of the Richardson River which is popular with local anglers. It is located 259 km north-west of Melbourne on the Sunraysia Highway and 118 m above sea-level. A neat and tidy town, it is essentially a service centre to the surrounding district where wheat, barley, fat lambs and wool are the main produce, although there has been some recent diversification into peas, canola, safflower and other crops. The massive wheat silos bear testimony to the central economic preoccupation of the Wimmera district. Donald is known as the 'Home of the Duck' due to the prevalence of the waterbird on local waterways and the annual duck-shoot held in their honour. Perhaps another factor was the irresistible connection with that famous Walt Disney character.

The area is thought to have been occupied by the Wemba-Wemba Aborigines prior to white settlement. The first Europeans in the area were the party of surveyor Thomas Mitchell in 1836. When the expedition's botanist, named Richardson, fell in the river, Mitchell decided to name the waterway in his honour.

The town takes its name from the Donald family, the original European settlers who established 'Banyenong', a grazing station, in 1844. Their homestead, just 3 km north of the present townsite, was a social centre for settlers on the Richardson River in the 1860s. This was owing, in part, to the racecourse they laid out nearby which hosted the annual Banyenong races.

William Donald played an important role in the development of the shire but the township was established when Johann Meyer, a German migrant to the goldfields, set up a grog shanty on the future townsite in 1863. At that time it was known as 'The Bridge' or "Richardson Bridge'. Meyer later built two hotels and selected land for wheat-cultivation. The shire of Donald was established and named in 1864 and the nascent town was named Donald after a survey in 1866. Other German, Cornish and Irish selectors began to arrive in the 1870s - many of them refugees from the dying goldfields.

Things to see:  

Shepherd's hut at Donald Museum

Tourist Information and Historic Buildings
The tourist information centre is located in a building erected as part of the old police camp (1874), established by town founder Johann Meyer. It is located in Woods St (the Sunraysia Highway), just past Hammill St as you head northwards. As it is run on a volunteer basis it is not reliably open at set hours, although weekends and public holidays are the general aim. If it is not open you can ring the local council offices at (03) 5497 1300.

Nearby are a lock-up and stables (1883), a brick oven from the Marnoo Forest (1880) and a shepherd's hut from the Donald brothers 'Banyenong' run (1850). Other buildings in the main shopping centre date from the 1860s and 1870s.

Scilleys Island and Parklands
Opposite the police camp is a timber bridge which leads across a stretch of the river to Scilleys Island, a reserve surrounded on all sides by the river where there are picnic facilities.

Apex Park, also by the river, is just past the information centre as you continue northwards, on the left-hand side of the road. It has picnic-barbecue facilities and childrens' play facilities. Memorial Park, at the corner of Houston and Campbell Sts, has a childrens' playground and picnic-barbecue facilities. Adjacent the railway line, on the Borung Highway (otherwise known as Hammill St - the road to Charlton), is a park with an old steam locomotive, a playground and picnic facilities.

The bullock's head at Donald

Bullock's Head
In Byrne St, which runs parallel to the Sunraysia Highway, beside the Richardson River is a growth on a tree which looks like a Bullock's Head. The locals realised its tourist potential and established a proper viewing platform. The head even has horns.

Agricultural Museum
A reserve at the front of the showgrounds, adjacent the Borung Highway (the road to Charlton) at the north-eastern end of town, contains a collection of antiquated agricultural machinery and equipment, including a stump-jump plough, a grubbing machine and a horse-head winnower. The material is located in a shed with a wire front so it is possible to see inside without the display being officially opened, although it can be fully opened by appointment, tel: (03) 5497 1555.

Caravan Park Lake
Caravan Park Lake is located a little further along the Borung Highway. Home to swans and other waterbirds it is a good fishing spot. There are gas barbecues and a caravan park.

Walking-Cycling Track
The town has a pleasant walking-cycling track which begins at the intersection of the Borung Highway, Racecourse Rd and Jeffcott Rd at the northern end of town. From there it follows the Borung Highway into town, crosses one bridge over to Scilleys Island and across another to the police camp, follows the Sunraysia Highway to Apex Park, winds its way along to the Johnson-Goodwin Memorial Homes Complex and back across the river to Byrne St. You can, of course, start the walk anywhere. Just follow the 'shared walkway' signs.

Lake Buloke
The wetlands of Lake Buloke (pronounced 'bull-oak') are a breeding area and haven for local birdlife, including ducks and quail, which are then shot during the hunting season in March. Fed by the Richardson River it is one of Victoria's largest lakes, covering 8000 ha when full. To get there head north out of town on the Burong Highway for about 7 km and watch for the signposted turnoff on the left.

Lake Jil Jil
On the other side of the Borung Highway, 7 km north-east of Donald, is Lake Jil Jil, a deep lake with a boat ramp. It is a picturesque spot, is well-stocked with redfin and trout and is good for birdwatchers.

Deer Farm
There is a deer farm located at Granite Flat, 10 km north-east of Donald on the Charlton Rd. If you are interested in visiting ring the owners on (03) 5491 5258.

Mt Jeffcott Reserve
Mount Jeffcott Wildflower Reserve has rare trees and plant specimens and it is ideal for hiking or, if you have a 4WD, you can drive to the summit from whence there are excellent views of the district. To get there, head north-east out of town along the Borung Highway for about 20 km and watch for the signposted right turn along the all-weather gravel road.

Kooka's Country Cookies
Visitors are welcome to drop into Kooka's Country Cookies and have a look around the factory. If advance notice is given a proper tour with tea and biscuits can be organised, tel: (03) 5497 1763. They are located on the Sunraysia Highway at the southern end of town.

Donald Cemetery
2 km south of the town, adjacent the Sunraysia Highway, is the town cemetery which contains the family plot of town founder Johann Meyer and other pioneer graves.

Emu Farm
Gowan Leigh Emu Farm is open to visitors by prior arrangement, tel: (03) 5497 6220. Head south along the Sunraysia Highway for 6 km and turn at the blue sign.

Brown's Lake
12 km south of Donald, via the Sunraysia Highway, is Cope Cope. There is a signposted turnoff here to Brown's Lake where there are possibilities for waterskiing, camping and fishing.

Lake Batyo Catyo
Rich Avon is an old grazing property which is now a locality 18 km south-west of town. There is a signposted turnoff here to Lake Batyo Catyo (pronounced 'batty-o-catty-o') where you can indulge in waterskiing, camping, fishing and general recreation. It is stocked with cod, redfin, golden perch and rainbow trout.

Walker's Lake
2 km west of Lake Batyo Catyo is Walker's Lake, a wildlife reserve in the Avon Plain which is stocked with Murray cod and well supplied with yabbies.

Watchem Lake
Watchem is a township located 33 km north along the Sunraysia Highway. From the town centre head north towards Birchip for about 1 km and the lake is to the left. It offers fishing and water sports and boasts a boat ramp, showers and toilets.

	Motels
	Avon Motel 3 Woods St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1488 Rating: **
	Donald Motor Inn Cnr Borung & Sunraysia Hwys Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1700 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Donald Hotel 126 Woods St 126 Woods St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1410 Rating: *
	Mount Jeffcott Hotel 69 Woods St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1011
	Shamrock Hotel 108 Woods St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 2210 Rating: *
	Cottages & Cabins
	Peppertree Cottage Depot Rd Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5498 6265 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Donald Lakeside Caravan Park Borung Hwy Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1764 Rating: *
	Restaurants
	Donald Chinese Restaurant Wood St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1547
	Donald Hotel 126 Woods St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1410
	Donald Motor Inn Cnr Borung & Sunraysia Hwys Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1700
	Shamrock Hotel 108 Woods St Donald VIC 3480 Telephone: (03) 5497 1210