Alexandra

Alexandra is a historic country town in the Murrindindi Shire of Victoria, Australia, located about 130 kilometres northeast of Melbourne on the Maroondah Highway. Established during the 1860s gold rush as Redgate and renamed in 1867, it later became a centre for timber milling. The town serves as a gateway to Lake Eildon and Cathedral Range State Park and retains heritage buildings, museums and a timber tramway.

Visitors can expect a compact rural town centre along Grant Street with heritage buildings, cafes, bakeries, shops and galleries set against a backdrop of rolling hills and the Cathedral Range. Areas to explore include the Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum, the National Trust-listed Alexandra District Museum, UT Creek Reserve and Rotary Park. The town is a base for fishing, boating on Lake Eildon, hiking, cycling on the Great Victorian Rail Trail and scenic drives.

Originally known as Redgate, the settlement developed after gold was discovered in the area in the late 1860s and was renamed Alexandra in 1867 after Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Following the decline of gold mining, timber milling became the dominant industry from the 1870s, supported by the Alexandra railway line (1909-1978) and later the Rubicon timber tramway. Many historic buildings in the town centre date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Alexandra retains significant timber and gold-rush heritage reflected in its National Trust-classified museum, timber tramway and historic streetscape. It functions as the service and cultural centre for the Murrindindi Shire, hosting community markets, agricultural shows and local art and produce, and is recognised as a gateway town for high-country and Lake Eildon recreation.