Mount Victoria

Postcode: 2786

Mount Victoria is the westernmost village/township in the City of Blue Mountains. Located 120 kilometres from Sydney and 1043 metres above sea-level it is a small and charming settlement of 869 people (Census 2001). Originally known as One Tree Hill it was marked on an early map dating from 1834 by the Surveyor General, Sir Thomas Mitchell. The town's name changed after the first Post Office was built in 1876. Another previous name for the town was Broughton's Waterhole.

By the late 19th century, Mount Victoria had become a prosperous settlement, and marked the termination of the railway line. There were exclusive private schools and it was seen as a popular 'hill station' retreat for wealthy Sydney families who would take the train and stay either in large guest houses or mansions they built for themselves.

Today it is a pleasant township with a large number of impressive and substantial historic buildings including the Hall which is used as a cinema, the Mount Vic Flicks, and the Imperial Hotel. It also has a museum at the railway station, and is the starting point for many bushwalks and features several fine lookouts over the Kanimbla Valley. Mount Victoria is the origin of the escarpment plateau extension of Mount York, site of the famous 1813 crossing of the mountains.

The well-known Toll Keepers Cottage is located about one kilometre east of the town. Known variously as the Toll Bar or Toll Keepers Cottage it was built in 1849 and is a reminder of a time when travellers along the road had to pay a toll. The toll house was used between 1849 and 1876. Coaches were charged according to how well sprung they were. A heavy coach without springs was free because it was believed that it helped to crush the stones and smooth the road. Lighter coaches with springs were charged one shilling and six pence.

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