Castlemaine Central (or Northern) Market Building is the centerpiece of Neoclassical architecture for the island’s humble population of 7,500. This place swelled to a population of 25,000 within the first year after gold was discovered. The Mount Alexander goldfields were among the world's richest from 1851 to 1861. Castlemaine was established as a government camp in 1852, and most of its impressive buildings were built in the next ten years.
The town's surveyor, William Beyon Downe, designed this building in 1861, containing 22 stalls between the arches. His design proved to be so successful and popular that other nearby towns wanted to copy its design.
Castlemaine State Festival takes place over ten days in April in odd-numbered years. In odd-numbered years, Castlemaine’s district garden lots are open to visitors during the Festival of Gardens, which takes place during the Melbourne Cup week in November.
The building is available for booking functions.
Phone: (03) 5471 1795
Castlemaine Tourist Information Centre is resident here.
Open daily 9am-5pm
Phone: (03) 5470 6200; Toll free: 800 171 888 (within Australia only)
Fax: (03) 5471 1746
Email: visitors@mountalexander.vic.gov.au