Balnarring Coast - a Pictorial History - 1863 to 2017

Merricks

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merricks-po-1969.jpg
Merriks PO 1969 (SLV)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Merricks was part of the Parish of Balnarring and is believed to be named after an early cattle station owner.
 
1865. First settled by John Caldwell, who built "Koonoona", a wattle cottage. Unlike Balnarring and Hastings, Merricks's early settlers preferred running cattle and sheep to growing orchards.
 
1902. A post office opened which was served by Cobb and Co from Crib Point; this closed in 1979.
 
1921. A small primary school was opened, closing in 1951 along with several others in the region when Red Hill Consolidated School commenced.
 
1962. The Victorian Municipal Directory stated that Merricks contained "(only) a general store and post and telegraph office".
 
MERRICKS VILLAGE
This is a tiny settlement along the Frankston-Flinders Road which has changed little over the years from its earlier rural functions, and many of the original settler houses still stand today. It features a newly restored General Store (built in 927) incorporating a post office and newsagency, The Peninsula Quarter Horse Association's base and a chocolate factory. Also in Merricks are the Merricks Creek vineyard specialising in pinot noir production and Stoniers Winery (1978) producing chardonnay and pinot noir.
 
Merricks is served by the 782 bus route operated by Peninsula Bus Lines between Frankston and Flinders.
 
MERRICKS FORESHORE AND BEACH
This is about 3 km to the south, with a Yacht Club and a small settlement, with no business activity. Residents are serviced by the General Store at the Village or at Balnarring Township. A Clifftop Walking Trail above the foreshore links Balnarring Beach with Merricks Beach, offering excellent views along the coast and across Westernport Bay.
 
MERRICK STATION AND RAIL TRAIL
A 6.3 km mostly tree-lined horse riding/walking trail, established by the former Shire of Hastings in the mid-1980s along the disused Bittern-Red Hill railway route, runs roughly east-west from Merricks Station Ground Reserve to the Red Hill station reserve.

The site of Merricks Station is now a picnic area known as the Merricks Station Reserve, and adjacent to an equestrian property. 

Remains of the platform may be seen in the Reserve - the old loading bay has been preserved.


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Mrricks Station gate 2016 (author's photo)

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Remains of Merricks Station platform 2016 (author's photo)

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Merricks Station loading platform 2016 (author's photo)

Visit the Red Hill Railway link for further information.