South West Victoria - The Whiskey Trail
The Whiskey Trail is a self-guided driving trail exploring the history of illicit whisky production in South West Victoria during the late nineteenth century. Plaques at former courthouses, police stations, hotels, camps, cemeteries and roadside locations tell stories of illegal stills, disguised detectives and the district's best-known illicit distiller, Thomas "Whisky Tom" Delaney.
The route travels through Camperdown, Cobden, Timboon, Nirranda East, Curdievale, Warrnambool, Koroit, Woodford, Mortlake and Terang. It can be started at any of the stops.
This is a driving trail rather than a continuous walking trail. Some plaques are beside roads, while others are inside cemeteries, at businesses or on restricted property.
The Whiskey Trail Map
Whiskey Trail Stops:
1. Camperdown Courthouse
The first plaque commemorates the appearance of James Paterson Wilson at Camperdown Courthouse on November 23, 1893. Wilson was charged with possessing an unlicensed still.
Thomas "Whisky Tom" Delaney was also charged at this courthouse in 1891.
Location: The Courthouse Camperdown, 179 Manifold Street, Camperdown, Victoria 3260
2. Cobden Police Station Site
Mounted Constable James Murdoch Arthur was stationed in Cobden during the 1890s. He would leave from this location, usually under the cover of darkness, with Customs Detective John Christie as they searched the district for illicit stills.
The plaque is in Curdie Street outside the Cobden Uniting Church Opportunity Shop, next to the current police station.
Location: Outside Cobden Uniting Church Opportunity Shop, 50 Curdie Street, Cobden, Victoria 3266
3. Former Timboon Railway Station
The former Timboon Railway Station marked the end of the railway line. Detective Christie knew the surrounding district well, as did Mounted Constable Arthur.
The restored railway goods shed is now occupied by Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, which produces small-batch whisky and other spirits. Food, tastings and distillery experiences are available during the business's opening hours.
Location: Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, 1 Bailey Street, Timboon, Victoria 3268
4. Brucknell Park Scout Camp
Detective Christie, Mounted Constable Arthur and policemen Snowden and Quinn found James Paterson Wilson operating an unlicensed still near this site on November 19, 1893.
The commemorative plaque is inside Brucknell Park Scout Camp.
Location: Brucknell Park Scout Camp, 1215 Timboon-Nullawarre Road, Nirranda East, Victoria 3268
Permission is required before entering the camp to see the plaque. If the camp office is unattended, phone (03) 5566 5205 or 0423 455 346.
5. Whiskey Creek Road
A roadside plaque marks the area where Thomas "Whisky Tom" Delaney and Jim Love were discovered operating an illicit still in May 1894.
The plaque is on the eastern side of Whiskey Creek Road after approaching from Brucknell Road.
Location: Whiskey Creek Road near Brucknell Road, Nirranda East, Victoria 3268
Take care when stopping beside the road. Do not park where the vehicle will obstruct traffic or private property entrances.
6. Sportsman's Arms Hotel
The Sportsman's Arms Hotel at Curdievale is commonly known as the Boggy Creek Hotel.
Detective Christie stayed in the hotel's tank room while investigating illegal distilling. From here, he collected information and supplies before travelling through the district disguised as a tinker.
A Whiskey Trail plaque and a large information board displaying a map of the trail are located at the hotel. The hotel also has a memorabilia room, although access should be confirmed before visiting.
Location: Boggy Creek Hotel, 1677 Boggy Creek Road, Curdievale, Victoria 3268
Phone: (03) 5566 5223
7. Delaney's Corner
Delaney's Corner is at the junction of Boggy Creek Road and the Great Ocean Road. An illicit still was found operating in Farrell's Paddock on the southern corner in March 1881 and again in September 1887.
A Whiskey Trail plaque stands beside the Delaney family plaque.
Location: Cnr Boggy Creek Road and Great Ocean Road, Nirranda, Victoria 3268
The roadside sign has reportedly disappeared on occasions. Take care when stopping and ensure the vehicle is completely clear of the roadway.
8. Warrnambool Cemetery
Thomas "Whisky Tom" Delaney died in 1912 and was buried in Warrnambool Cemetery. A Whiskey Trail plaque has been placed on his grave.
His grave is in the Roman Catholic section at R/C 25-35.
Location: Warrnambool Cemetery, Otway Road, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280
9. Old Warrnambool Gaol Site
In May 1894, Whisky Tom Delaney travelled to Warrnambool and surrendered to police.
The former Warrnambool Gaol site is in Gilles Street, between the former courthouse and police station.
Location: Gilles Street near Timor Street, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280
10. Former Koroit Racecourse
The former Koroit Racecourse was another outlet for illicit whisky. A plaque records that Whisky Tom's "Mountain Dew" was sold at the Koroit races.
From Koroit, travel approximately 5 km north along Koroit-Woolsthorpe Road to the former racecourse site.
Location: Koroit-Woolsthorpe Road, north of Koroit, Victoria 3282
11. Former Welcome Hotel, Woodford
A plaque in Merri Street marks the site of the former Welcome Hotel. The hotel's publican, Job Wines, sold the celebrated "Nirranda Whiskey" in April 1881.
Location: Merri Street, Woodford, Victoria 3281
12. Thomas Thulborn Plaque, Mortlake
In May 1895, Detective Christie and police discovered an illicit still operated by Thomas Thulborn near the former Mortlake Common and racecourse.
From Mortlake, travel north-west along the Hamilton Highway and turn left into Connewarren Lane, also known as Racecourse Road. Continue for approximately 1.5 km to the crossroad marked Thulburn Lane and Transfer Station.
The plaque is on the left. Mortlake Common is diagonally opposite.
Location: Cnr Connewarren Lane and Thulburn Lane, Mortlake, Victoria 3272
13. Mortlake Cemetery
Another Whiskey Trail plaque commemorating Thomas Thulborn can be found on his grave in Mortlake Cemetery.
Location: Mortlake Cemetery, Cemetery Lane, Mortlake, Victoria 3272
14. Terang Cemetery
James Paterson Wilson, who was arrested with an illicit still in 1893, is buried at Terang Cemetery.
His grave is near the western boundary of the cemetery beside a break in the hawthorn hedge. Look in the Presbyterian area, Section 2, Graves 12 and 13.
Location: Terang Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Terang, Victoria 3264
Opening Hours:
The roadside plaques can generally be visited at any time.
Access to the Brucknell Park Scout Camp plaque requires permission. Opening hours also apply at Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, the Boggy Creek Hotel and cemetery offices. Check with individual locations before travelling.
Cost:
The self-guided trail is free. Food, drinks, tastings, tours and other purchases at participating businesses cost extra.
Family Suitability:
The trail can be followed by families interested in local history. Most stops involve only a short walk from the car, although children require close supervision beside roads, in cemeteries and at licensed venues.
Alcohol consumption is not required to follow the trail. A designated driver is essential if adults undertake tastings or consume alcohol.
Accessibility:
Access varies between stops. Several plaques can be viewed from level roadside or town locations, but cemetery surfaces may include grass, gravel and uneven ground.
Contact Brucknell Park Scout Camp before visiting to discuss access to its plaque.
Important Information:
- Allow plenty of time because the trail covers a large part of South West Victoria
- Mobile reception may be unreliable on some rural sections
- Do not enter private property without permission
- Park completely clear of traffic when viewing roadside plaques
- Drive to the road conditions and watch for livestock, farm vehicles and wildlife
- Respect graves, cemetery visitors and funeral services
- Check business and property access before making a special trip
Trail Enquiries:
Alan Wilson, phone: 0429 307 461
