Narbethong

Narbethong is a town in central Victoria, Australia.

Narbethong is a town in central Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Maroondah Highway, 87 kilometres (54 mi) north east of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2016 census, Narbethong and the surrounding area had a population of 205.

The first European settlement at Narbethong was established in about 1865 by Frederick Fisher. In 1913, the Healesville Shire health officer reported that a lack of ventilation made the building a health hazard for students and teachers. A new school building was officially opened by Lord Huntingfield, the Governor of Victoria, on 9 April 1937.The town was devastated in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939. Initial reports suggested that the hotel was the only building left standing. but other buildings survived including the school and The Hermitage.

Narbethong was again severely affected by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. In 2011, a new public hall was built using local timbers, with the whole building being wrapped in a bronze mesh fire resistant screen. It was officially opened on 26 November 2011 by the Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov.A scene in the 1959 film On the Beach was set in Narbethong. It featured the characters played by Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner spending their first night together.