Gol Gol

Gol Gol was proclaimed a township in 1866; however, the village allotments did not begin to be occupied until the late 1870’s.

Located on the Murray, the town is historically significant because it was once an important coach stop.

Coaches were vital for communication and transport in the Wentworth Shire, with several lines operating including Cobb & Co, Burton Bros, Charters Bros, Kidman Nichols, McMahon and John Hill & Co.

The regular coach services to Balranald, Swan Hill, Echuca, Wilcannia, Blanchetown and Mannum were connected at different points to those servicing Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

The coach services were also the carriers of the Royal Mail and during the dry months they compensated for the loss of navigable waterways for the riverboats by putting on extra services for passengers.

The large common and Police paddocks adjacent to the township often held coach horses while the Gol Gol Inn was one of many established along the Murray, providing horse change, comfort and accommodation facilities.

The Gol Gol Inn was an important change and up to 200 horses could be found on the common at any one time.

It was around the inn that the town grew. A wharf also added vitality to the township during the riverboat era, and although Gol Gol never saw as much trade as Wentworth, it was still an important port for the surrounding grazing and horticultural area.

Today, Gol Gol has a rapidly expanding residential area and is a favourite among young families for the reasonable land prices, larger building blocks and convenience to all facilities, including a highly regarded primary school.

It also acts as a service centre for the surrounding irrigation area with the popular riverside Gol Gol Hotel, on the site of the original inn, being a favorite meeting and eating place. There is also a general store with post office and a service station.

The town is just 10 minutes by road from the comprehensive services and shopping of Mildura.