Baynton is a small rural community in central Victoria, Australia.
Bayntonis a small rural community 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 rainfall averages 675 millimetres (26.6 in) per annum.Agriculturally the region produces wool, lamb, beef and wine. Baynton is home to several wineries, and tourism has become an important component of the region's economy.
History
Baynton is named after an early pioneer of the area, Dr. Thomas Baynton, whose extensive station was named 'Darlington', and although the original homestead no longer remains, Darlington remains a significant local property. The Baynton area was previously occupied by Aboriginal people, and was the approximate meeting point of three tribal areas including Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurong, and Woiwurrung. The Tachylite deposits near Spring Hill and the Coliban River may have been important trade goods as stone artefacts from this material have been found around Victoria.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. Baynton, the Polhman brothers, Martin McKenna (first president of the Shire of Kyneton) and J.B. Thomson.One notable event in the early history of Baynton was the passing of the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860, and the departure from Baynton was recorded by the expedition artist Ludwig Becker, whose sketch is housed at the State Library of Victoria. Local resident J.B. Thomson alleged he joined Burke and Wills with the intention of travelling to northern Australia, but abandoned the party in Echuca, describing the expedition as 'reckless and bound to failure'.
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.
Baynton township developed in the 1860s and the Post Office opened on 24 January 1867, closing in 1959.
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