Barrys Reef, Victoria

Barrys Reef
Victoria

Entering Barrys Reef
Barrys Reef
Coordinates 37°27′S 144°17′E / 37.450°S 144.283°ECoordinates: 37°27′S 144°17′E / 37.450°S 144.283°E
Population 33 (2006 census)
Established 1856
Postcode(s) 3458
Elevation 662 m (2,172 ft)
Location
  • 35 km (22 mi) N of Bacchus Marsh
  • 10 km (6 mi) S of Trentham
  • 86 km (53 mi) NW of Melbourne
LGA(s) Shire of Moorabool
State electorate(s) Macedon
Federal Division(s) Ballarat
Localities around Barrys Reef:
Blackwood Lerderderg Lerderberg
Blackwood Barrys Reef Lerderderg
Blackwood Blackwood Blackwood

Barrys Reef (previously known as Bayup[1] and then Barry's Reef) is a town near Blackwood in Australia.

The local story of the origin of Barrys Reef refers to a man who was exiled from the town of Blackwood after a drunken brawl so he started walking to find a suitable place to live. After an hour of walking northwards away from Blackwood, the man (Barry Francis) found gold in the area and set up camp eventually building a house. Later on in the gold rush days Barry's Reef grew in size and at one stage had six hotels.[2] After the gold rush the town eventually started to dwindle in population and was usually mistaken for North Blackwood. Nowadays the local people usually use the towns name as an excuse for not living in Blackwood or Trentham.[3]

References