With the backdrop of the Pyrenees Ranges and tall red gums along its riverbanks, Avoca is an idyllic rural town.
Avoca was one of the first goldfields in the north western area of Victoria which produced one of the richest finds anywhere in the world. Diggers with their families en-route from Adelaide to the Bendigo digging found a nugget the size of a walnut at Four Mile Flat, near Homebush. There was reported to be around 100 settling into winter quarters in early 1853 and by June of that year the population had grown to 14000. The reefs around Avoca were patchy and many left the goldfields disappointed. Some areas in the stoney hills were so hot, dry and unrewarding that one patch was named 'Linger and Die'.
Today, Avoca's wide main street, which reflects an era when bullock teams required a large turning circle, has maintained a historic appearance that harkens back to its gold rush days. Now it contains a variety of cafes, galleries, speciality shops and accommodation. 
In Avoca you will find the oldest operating Chemist shop in Victoria, Lalors Chemist, which was established on the goldfields in 1854. The Avoca Primary School has been educating students since 1878 and is an architecturally important building with a structure representative of schools of that period.
Gold still attracts fortune seeking prospectors to the district however most visitors are now attracted to the Pyrenees to visit the 30 wineries. The Seduction By Tastebuds Lunches is a series of slow food lunches held at the wineries in the Pyrenees Wine Region and has top Australian chefs craft and execute the meals which is complimented by wines of the host venue. This is a great way to experience the Pyrenees Wine Region. Avoca also hosts the Pyrenees Escapade on the Melbourne Cup weekend in November which is an event that showcases the Food and Wine of the Pyrenees Wine Region. For more information on the local event, please click on the events page.
The natural beauty of the Pyrenees Ranges makes bush walking and picnics a pleasure for visitors, while the two annual race meetings at the Avoca Shire Turf Club continues to attract many visitors to the town.
For more information on Avoca visit our community website http://www.avoca.vic.au/