Natimuk
Town in Victoria, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Natimuk is a town in Western Victoria, Australia, located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) northwest of Melbourne. A further 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Natimuk is one of Australia's best climbing areas, Mount Arapiles. In the 2021 census, the population was recorded as 421.
Natimuk | |
|---|---|
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  Natimuk | |
| Coordinates: 36°45′S 141°57′E | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| LGA | |
| Location | |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Population | |
| • Total | 421 (UCL 2021)[1] |
| Postcode | 3409 |
History
The local post office opened as "Natimuk Creek" on 1 July 1874 and was renamed "Natimuk" in 1884.[2]
A railway line, built in a number of sections, once connected Horsham and Hamilton, running via Cavendish, Balmoral and East Natimuk until their closures in 1986 and 1988.[3]
The Natimuk Court of Petty Sessions closed in 1965, with the former courthouse subsequently being used by the local historical society.[4]
In 2004 Natimuk hosted 10000 people for Triple J's One Night Stand.[citation needed]
On 9 January 2026, a fast-moving grassfire that started in catastrophic fire danger weather conditions at Grass Flat burnt through 8,000 ha (20,000 acres) of land around Natimuk, and destroyed 17 homes.[5]
Description
Natimuk located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) northwest of Melbourne.[citation needed]
The town has traditionally survived as a rural service centre for the surrounding grain and sheep farming community.[citation needed] It has diversified into tourism and staved off the decline common in other Wimmera towns.[citation needed]
People from all over the world flock to Natimuk because of the rock climbing at Mount Arapiles, located 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Natimuk, and the nearby Grampians.[citation needed]
Demographics
In the 2021 census, the population of Natimuk was recorded as 421, of whom 54.8% were female. The median age was 55.[6]
Natimuk's arts-friendly focus has attracted and supported artists from nearby regions or urban areas to settle in the town.[citation needed]
Sport
The town has traditionally had strong Netball teams - The Ewes. Natimuk also fields three or four Australian Rules teams who compete in the Horsham & District Football League.[citation needed]
Golfers play at the course of the Natimuk Golf Club at Mount Arapiles State Park.[7]
There is also a lawn bowls club, tennis club, cricket club,[citation needed] and gymnastics club].[8]
Environment
There are many small wetlands in the district, and the town lies close to the Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for a variety of waterbirds.[9]
Events
Nati Frinj is hosted in the first weekend of November during each odd-numbered year in town. The festival includes music, food, visual art, performances, and various other events.[10]
Around 60 rock climbers (locally known as goats) have made Natimuk their home due to the climbing and lifestyle. As of 2016[update]Natimuk also hosts Goatfest, an annual climbing film festival, which coincides with the influx of climbers over the Easter holidays.[11]
