MALDON Maldon is a ‘spur town’ off the main Maryborough and Castlemaine hgy. Maldon is a very interesting town that is full of surprises. Maldon is another of those Gold Rush towns which dominate this region of Victoria. Maldon has been designated "Australia's first notable town" and is celebrated for its 19th-century appearance, maintained since gold-rush days and happenstance insofar the town was not changing, and change was not coming to Maldon. The town does look great. Maldon was first discovered by white Europeans in 1836, during Major Mitchell's famous Victorian expedition. It was settled soon afterwards by farmers and sheep runs. In December 1853, gold was discovered at Cairn Curran (the name given to one of the sheep runs), and Maldon became a part of the gold rush. The narrow road is lined on each side almost continuously with stores of every description, saloons, restaurants, eating houses, lemonade and beer shops, apothecaries' shops, and the tents of doctors, who, I am sorry to say, drive a very lucrative business at Tarrangower. Maldon not surprisingly has a great number of heritage and/or old buildings. There are three old hotels (all over 150 years) in Maldon. There are three very good museums in Maldon. The traditional museum near the info centre gives a great insight into gold rush period. All denominations are represented; the churches all look to be well over 100 years. Most undated unfortunately. The Maldon War Memorial is a very good acknowledgement. Maldon has a lot to offer and take in and get the best out of the town more than a day is required.