VICMining
Diamond Creek
A quartz reef made a township in a valley of paling splitters.
1863Diamond Reef discovered
WHAT STARTED IT
Timber getters and paling splitters came first, but in 1863 a rich quartz reef was found on Dr Phipps’ land at Diamond Creek, near where Arthurs Creek joins the creek. A township formed around the workings.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The township was surveyed in 1866–67 as Nillumbik, a name used until about 1900. As mining faded, orchards prospered from the mid-1880s, and the railway from Eltham arrived in 1912 just as orcharding declined.
TURNING POINTS
1863A rich quartz reef is found on Dr Phipps’ land at Diamond Creek.
1866The township is surveyed and named Nillumbik.
1884A horticultural society is formed as orchards prosper.
1912The railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge opens through the town.
1964Diamond Valley Shire is created from the northern part of Heidelberg.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A family suburb on the city’s north-eastern fringe, with shops by the station and a large recreation reserve along the creek.