A small Victorian wheat belt town with a very unusual hill.
Pyramid Hill is a small town south of the Murray River. It primary interest lies in the remarkable granite outcrops which are dotted throughout the area. Apart from the outcrop which gives the town its name there is also Bald Rock in Terrick Terrick State Park and Mount Hope, named by Major Thomas Mitchell as he explored the area. The primary place of interest is Pyramid Hill a remarkable triangle of granite which rises from the flat surrounding countryside and, as its name suggests, looks exactly like an Egyptian pyramid.
Location
Pyramid Hill is located 242 km north of Melbourne via Bendigo.
^ TOPOrigin of Name
Pyramid Hill is one of those 'bleeding obvious' names because the hill itself, which was first sighted by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1836, looks like a triangle of stone. Thus Mitchell named it because of its similarity, as he wrote, to 'the monuments of Egypt'.
^ TOPThings to See and Do
Pyramid Hill
Pyramid Hill (187 m above sea-level) is worth visiting because (a) it is a rare natural phenomena which really does look like an Egyptian pyramid - at least from a distance and (b) there is an easy walk up to an excellent vantage point where you can look over the very flat countryside and the nearby town of Pyramid Hill. This is wheat and sheep country which, in the spring, is particularly attractive because it can be covered in wildflowers. In fairness Major Mitchell arrived in the middle of winter and was lyrical in his appreciation of the view. In Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia he wrote: "Its apex consisted of a single block of granite, and the view was exceedingly beautiful over the surrounding plains, shining fresh and green in the light of a fine morning. The scene was so different from anything I had ever before witnessed either in New South Wales or elsewhere. A land so inviting and still without inhabitants!"
Fauna on Pyramid Hill
The signage at the bottom of the hill gives a good indication that the careful visitor could see the wedge-tail eagle, black wallaby, yellow-rumped honeyeater, eastern brown snake and zebra finch.
Mount Hope
Mt Hope was also climbed in 1836 by Thomas Mitchell. The name was given to the hill by Mitchell who, as he climbed, hoped that he would see the sea from its peak. There are picnic facilities and a Mitchell plaque at the base of the mountain and it is but a short walk to the top of the hill. At the top there are panoramic views which take in Kow Swamp and the surrounding farmland.
Other Attractions in the Area
Terrick Terrick National Park
Terrick Terrick National Park lies 20 km south-east of Pyramid Hill. It protects over 200 species of native flora including including Victoria's finest stand of native white cypress pines. Fauna includes grey kangaroos, black wallabies and tree goannas and it is recognised the largest nesting site for brolgas in Victoria. Its birdlife also includes the Plains wanderer, Grey-crowned babbler, barking owl and spotted nightjar. The park has some impressive granite outcrops and rocky depressions which were used as water holes by the Aborigines.
History
Pyramid Hill is a town which was the victim of a decision by the state railways. It was first explored by Major Thomas Mitchell who, in 1836, climbed and named the hill after which the town is named. Mitchell sang the praises of the district and soon after his exploration squatters moved in and settled. A town, comprising two hotels, St Patrick's Church (1875), a school (dating from 1876), a showground (1888), a weir for regular water supply, a blacksmith and a general store was established on the south side of the hill (you can see old photographs of the town on the signage at the base of Pyramid Hill) near the original Pyramid Hill run but when the railway arrived in the area in 1885 the town was moved to its present site.
^ TOPVisitor Information
The best source of local information is the Victoria Hotel, 20 Victoria St, tel: (03) 5455 7391.
^ TOPUseful Websites
There is a useful local website - http://www.pyramidhill.net.au - with information about the history and some good photos of the area.
^ TOP
The Victoria Hotel is the local “Information Centre”.
The original bush nursing home was a residence originally built by H.V. McKay in 1909 it was a magnificent building which is still standing on the corner of MCKay street and Victoria street. The house was sold to a nurse in about 1921 to become Lumeah (meaning here I rest) private hospital then in 1932 it became the 145th bush nursing hospital. It was closed in or about 1960 and turned into 3 units. In doing this a lot of poor choices were made and much damage was done to the interior. We purchased the property in July 2014 after it had sat empty for about 6 years. Squatters had caused further damage and a lot of work was and is still being done to restore some of the original elegance to the once beautiful home. We anticipate the restoration renovation to be completed by 2022
I was born at Pyramid Hill, November 1961. Not sure if I was born at the hospital or at home!
Our restorations are still continuing as we had a 5 year hiatus I. Queensland caring for mum who passed dec 2021 hope to have house finished by 2025
I was born in the old hospital was thrilled to see how well it looks lately. I was born in 1946 Sister Coxon was matron and history has it I was the first C section birth my mother and I both survived after care from Drs Harlem, the two doctors from Boort Dr van den Brink and Dr Leonbrugham
Is Pyramid Hill part of Victoria or is a state like Vatican City?
It is part of Victoria
While in Pyramid Hill try and go to the Historical Museum in McKay St named after John McKay brother of H V McKay the farm machinery firm. opposite the Senior Citizens clubrooms and behind the Memorial Hall .and public toilets There are 3 buildings to look through so give yourself plenty of time. If you are into Family history this is the place to go.
Other places are the Coffee Bank, Pyramid Cafe and the Store on the corner was once the Co-operative built in 1933. Millers Ag was once the Co-op Ford garage. The op shop was the plumbers and the butcher has lovely meat. The swimming pool is a great place in summer and the caravan park although not grand is a lovely place to relax. . .
My Great Great Grandmother is buried in the cemetery. The family moved there in about 1853.
Does the landlord Simon Armstrong Treblinka still operate in the area?
We hope to visit there in March 2023 and see how the restoration is going. A climb up the hill is a must do
Hi ,
I wanted more information about the Aboriginal background in the area . It was disappointing to read about Major Mitchell discovering and naming Pyramid Hill when the local Aboriginal clans had been visiting the site for thousands of years .
I’m sure Paul Haw at the Yung Balug museum in Boort would be able to help you with some useful information about the Indigenous history of Pyramid Hill . Their contact details are
paulcathiehaw@gmail.com
Kind regards
My name is Catherine Zara ( Boyle) Ninnes.
My father Norman John Boyle ( known as Jack)
was a builder and moved his family to Pyramid Hill to build the new hospital. I’m not quite sure what year that was as he moved the family to Echuca. My mother went back to Pyramid Hill to have me. I was born 6th September 1960.
I was wanting to know if this was the nursing home?