WHAT a gem Byaduk is to break the journey almost halfway between Hamilton and Port Fairy with a canopy of large shady trees, the picturesque J.A. Christie cricket oval with its white picket fence, and the local Byaduk Store to browse.

The township is nestled neatly in a volcanic gully in the Southern Grampians Shire with European settlement beginning around 1853.

Byaduk is included in the Southern Grampians Shire Council’s (SGSC) Volcanic Trail Masterplan to capitalise on the tourist attractions that abound with the Byaduk Caves and lava tubes from the volcanic eruption of Mount Napier, nearby.

There are magnificent and extending views of the lava flow from Harmans Valley Lookout towards Mt Napier, and the tumuli lava blisters off Old Crusher Road.

SGSC chief executive, Tony Doyle said Council was advocating to build a Volcanic Trail in the Southern Grampians that stands up to - and complements - world-renowned visitor attractions in the region like the Grampians National Park and the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape.

“Volcanic-created sites like the 30,000-year-old Byaduk Caves have not yet been capitalised as a major tourist destination, even though they are arguably the most extensive and accessible lava caves in Australia,” he said.

“Council is currently seeking external funding to develop a detailed design and business case to progress the landmark Volcanic Trail project with stakeholders.

“This is our commitment to strengthening the Shire’s visitor economy in the future and driving the profits back into shire towns like Byaduk.”

Historical significance

A notable farmer from Byaduk was Sergeant Simon Fraser, a World War I soldier who was honoured in 1998 with a sculpture by Peter Corlett in the Australian Memorial Park in Fromelles, France.

He was honoured again in 2008 with a replica sculpture at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne depicting him rescuing a wounded compatriot from no man’s land after the Battle of Fromelles in 1916.

Fraser fought gallantly in France with the 57th Battalion and is remembered for his heroic efforts recovering the wounded and “don’t forget me cobber” fame.

Sadly, he never returned home; he was killed at the second battle of Bullecourt on May 12, 1917, aged 40.

While the township’s population sits at around 129 according to the 2021 Census data, the serene rural setting is surrounded by farms many of which still have the iconic lava rock fences demarcating the landscape.

Byaduk’s is a tightknit community that manifests with the annual Byaduk Spring Show in November that remains as popular as ever bringing the locals together to celebrate life and produce.

Long time local, Kiri Handreck said there were many great things about Byaduk - especially the community engagement.

She has her own following on her Facebook page called Kiri’s Images that daily depict beautiful sunsets and sunrises at Byaduk and native birdlife to the delight of her ardent followers.

“Great things about Byaduk - the beautiful scenery which is not flat and boring but with hills that aren’t too steep to climb, the view of Mt Napier, the peace and quiet, the magnificent sunrises and sunsets and the bird life,” she said.

Byaduk Business

Located along the main road through Byaduk, you can stop by the Byaduk General Store and see owner, Robyn Hepburn-Gillard who stocks a vast array of antiques, clothing, homewares, accessories and other delightful treasures.

Originally built in 1858 as the town’s general store in a previous life, the old stone building is a reminder of the town’s historical significance.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending a good amount of time chatting at the counter with Robyn.

Her friendly service has certainly been a drawcard for the little village for the last 13 years.

“We’ve been in the south-west for 20 years, we’re settled here - we really love it,” Robyn said.

 “They have a great flower show here and the cricket club is just fantastic.”

Robyn said it was an easy decision when she and her partner, Art Hepburn, were passing through and they saw the shop with a for sale sign.

“I remember pulling up and saying - I’m going to buy this.

“Then it was the best decision going into giftware and clothing.”

Robyn said locals were her biggest client base.

“You get people come out from Hamilton, Penshurst, from Portland, Horsham, and as far as Swan Hill and Mildura,” she said.

“You get people that come back every year - I had a bus load from Port Fairy the other day - we do a lot of buses.”

Robyn said her business was able to capitalise on the nearby tourist trade with Tae Rak (Lake Condah).

“I tell a lot of people to go there,” she said.

“A lot of people come out and do a round trip and come through the shop.

“The locals really support me, and they bring all their friends which is lovely.”

Community Spirit

Local, Will Kinghorn is well known for his service to the Byaduk community and was recently recognised on Australia Day with a community recognition award for his voluntary contributions including to the Byaduk Cricket Club and as captain of the Byaduk CFA.

 He is an active member of the Byaduk and North Byaduk Progress Association, and he has been a volunteer for the Byaduk Spring Show for many years.

Will is the vice president of the Gazette Landcare Group, which is developing a wildlife corridor through farmland towards Mount Napier.

“It’s in its more mature state now - a lot of trees have been planted to form farm shelter belts and tree plantations - but it’s still an active project,” he said.

The progress association has also seen the installation of new town entry signs.

“That was made possible through Shire grants.

“We’re also gearing up to improve the playground in Byaduk and apart from that keeping up with anything that is seen around the town that needs attention.

“We work closely with the Cricket Club and Rec Reserve and the hall committee - we put in for grants and the progress association generally supports whatever is happening with each community group.”

Will agreed with Robyn and said one of the best things about the town was “the community spirit”.

“Everyone seems to like getting their hands dirty,” he said.

“None of the projects would have happened if it wasn’t for everyone in the community helping to muck in and get the jobs done.

“The CFA is also very active and recently merged with Knebsworth so we cover a fair area - it’s one of the largest patches in the state.

“There are not too many brigades that have both state and national park areas with Mount Napier and Budj Bim within the boundary.

“Fortunately, we’ve had a quiet couple of summers.”