Baynton, Victoria
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| Baynton Victoria | |||||||||
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 Baynton Hall, 2008 | |||||||||
  Baynton | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 37°8′S 144°40′E / 37.133°S 144.667°E | ||||||||
| Population | 202 (2011 census)[1] | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3444 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 550 m (1,804 ft) | ||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Macedon Ranges | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Macedon | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Bendigo | ||||||||
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Baynton is a locality in central Victoria, Australia. Baynton is approximately 20 km (12 mi) north-east of Kyneton, and 20 km (12 mi) north-west of Lancefield. Baynton's elevation varies from 450 to 650 metres (1,475–2,130 ft) above sea level, and annual rainfall averages 675 millimetres (26.6 in).
Agriculturally, the region produces wool, lamb, beef and wine. It is home to several wineries, and tourism has become an important component of the region's economy.
The Baynton has been occupied by Aboriginal people for thousands of years, and was the approximate meeting point of lands inhabited by the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurong, and Woiwurrung peoples. Trading between them was almost certainly an important activity, because tachylite deposits near Spring Hill and the Coliban River were used to create stone tools that have been found in many places in Victoria.[2]
European settlement began in the 1830s with the arrival of Captain Sylvester Brown, who travelled overland with livestock from Sydney to set up an agricultural enterprise in Baynton. His residence, however, was short-lived, and he was followed by a succession of landholders including Dr. Thomas Baynton, the Polhman brothers, Martin McKenna (first president of the Shire of Kyneton) and J.B. Thomson.
Baynton is named after Thomas Baynton, whose extensive station was named "Darlington". Although the original homestead no longer remains, Darlington continues to be a significant local property.[3]
One notable event in the history of Baynton was the passing of the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860, and its departure from Baynton was recorded by the expedition artist Ludwig Becker, whose sketch is housed at the State Library Victoria.[4] Local resident J.B. Thomson alleged he joined Burke and Wills with the intention of travelling with them to northern Australia, but abandoned the party in Echuca, describing the expedition as "reckless and bound to failure".[citation needed]
Bushranger Ned Kelly is fabled to have stolen a horse from the public house opposite the Baynton Racecourse. Local legend says the horse's owner, J.B. Thomson, bet on a race with a stranger to the district, and when he won, they two went for a drink. The stranger then stepped out to check his horse, but did not return, stealing the faster horse, and disappearing from the district. He was later found to be none other than Ned Kelly.[citation needed]
Baynton township developed in the 1860s and the post office opened on 24 January 1867, closing in 1959.[5]