Talbot's Barb Crossley. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
LIKE its near neighbour Clunes, Talbot was once a dying township, renowned mainly for being the home of the famous annual yabby festival.
But these days, it is also known for its monthly farmer's market, which attracts thousands of people to the small central goldfields township on the third Sunday of every month.
During most weekdays, Talbot remains a quiet little hamlet, with most of the shops shut. But on weekends and market days, Talbot comes alive.
A wide variety of unusual shops open on weekends, including Slightly Bent Books, George's Bits and Pieces and Cadillac Walk.
The monthly market is held in the main street and features everything from organic fruit and vegetables to wine, pasta, continental cakes and homemade cheese.
But even on weekdays, behind the scenes, there is a close community hard at work in Talbot, whether it be painting crafts at the local library, visiting the local post office for Christmas stamps or playing bowls on the local bowling greens.
Talbot Bowling Club ladies president Barb Crossley said she had brought up her young family in the township after moving from nearby Maryborough years ago.
"It's very quiet but it's very friendly. It's got everything we need," Mrs Crossley said.
"And Maryborough is only 10 minutes away."
The basics
Municipality: Central Goldfields Shire
Population: 296
First settled: 1841
Main industries: Gold mining, farming and wineries.
Claim to fame: Victoria's first unofficial gold nugget was discovered in Talbot in 1848.
Five fast facts
1. The first discovery of gold in Victoria on Hall and McNeill's Glen Mona Run was not reported for fear of prosecution for gold digging.
2. The Chinese set up camps in 1855 and were followed by the Scandinavian Rush in 1859, which established the present Talbot township.
3. By March 1859, there were an estimated 15,000 people living in the area.
4. Talbot was officially named on October 19, 1861 by the then Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly.
5. By the late 1880s, the gold rush had subsided and people began to drift away.
Five things to do:
1. The Talbot Farmer's Market is held on the third Sunday of each month, has more than 100 stalls and attracts several thousand visitors. It features a wide range of products including organic fruit and vegetables, honey, wine, olives, flaxseed oil and plants.
2. Search for treasures in the historic shops of Talbot, including Slightly Bent Books, Fanny's Flat Vintage Boutique, George's Bits and Pieces, Cadillac Walk, Third Street Promenade and the Railway Station Nursery.
3. The Railway Station Museum is a treasure trove of railway memorabilia while the Talbot Arts & Historical Museum contains relics of Talbot's goldrush era. The Talbot Communications Museum has historic radio, telephone and TV equipment.
4. Visit the London House community garden in Scandinavian Crescent. It contains many kinds of plants suited to local conditions, including fruit trees, olive trees, cardoons, herbs, flowers and natives.
5. There are two vineyards close to Talbot - Amherst Winery and Romantic Vineyard - with a further 11 within half an hour's drive.
