Mount Evelyn

Gazing up at Mount Evelyn, did you ever imagine this tranquil suburb once echoed with the clang of construction? Mount Evelyn, just 37 km east of Melbourne’s bustling center, sits within a bend of Olinda Creek. This creek, once known as Running Creek, played a key role in shaping the area’s identity. Before it became Mount Evelyn, this area was a patchwork of smaller settlements. Names like Olinda Vale, Billygoat Hill, McKillop/Valinda, and South Wandin marked different parts of the landscape. The name “Valinda” graced the first post office, opened in 1904. This name, derived from Olinda Vale, eventually transformed into “Evelyn” in 1908, honoring the county. Finally, in 1913, it became the Mount Evelyn we know today. The 1930s brought a boom to Mount Evelyn. The construction of the nearby Silvan Dam and Mount Evelyn Aqueduct drew workers and their families. However, this prosperity was short-lived. The completion of the project in 1932 coincided with the Great Depression, impacting the town significantly. A railway line once served Mount Evelyn, opening in 1901 under the name “Olinda Vale.” It too underwent a name change, first to “Evelyn” and then to “Mount Evelyn” in 1919. Locals, hoping to attract visitors to the area’s healthy mountain air, pushed for the addition of “Mount.” Ironically, this railway line closed in 1965, just before the area experienced significant population growth in the 70s and 80s. Today, Mount Evelyn thrives as part of a vibrant tourism industry, alongside neighboring towns like Belgrave and Monbulk. Its reserves have been incorporated into the Dandenong Ranges National Park, preserving the natural beauty that first drew people to this unique location.