Talbot

Talbot is a small township in central Victoria, located within the Central Goldfields Shire.

The town lies approximately 30 kilometres north of Ballarat, 10 kilometres south of Maryborough and about 155 kilometres north-west of Melbourne by road and rail.

It is positioned near the Sunraysia Highway, providing road connections to Ballarat, Maryborough and Avoca.

At the 2021 Census, Talbot recorded a population of around 500, reflecting modest growth driven by lifestyle migration and regional settlement trends.

The demographic profile includes families, retirees and self-employed residents, with a median age higher than the Victorian average.

Housing consists largely of detached dwellings, including restored 19th-century cottages and more recent homes on the township fringe.

Talbot developed during the 1850s gold rush and retains a well-preserved historic streetscape, with several heritage-listed buildings along the main street.

The town is known for the Talbot Farmers Market, held monthly and drawing visitors from across the region.

Agriculture remains a significant land use in the surrounding district, with grazing and cropping common across the open plains.

Local facilities include a primary school, general store, cafes and community hall.

Secondary education, major supermarkets and hospital services are typically accessed in Maryborough or Ballarat, with Ballarat providing health services including Ballarat Base Hospital.

Talbot railway station is located on the Maryborough line, offering V/Line train services to Ballarat and Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.

Recreational amenities include local sporting clubs, walking tracks and community events that contribute to the town’s social and cultural life.