Overview
Mont Albert Rd bisects the modern suburb of Mont Albert, and runs from Burke
Rd (Camberwell) to Elgar Rd, passing through the surburbs of Canterbury and Surrey Hills. A small extension continues
past Elgar Rd to the site of the former brickworks.
The western side of Elgar Rd is within the Mont Albert suburb – the
eastern side is within the Box Hill suburb.
Early History
1841 Survey
Rd, which ran through
Elgar's Special Survey, was later to become Mont Albert Rd, named after the hill
"Mount Albert" near modern Kenmare St. Rough tracks had begun to be shown on maps: these included an approximation of Mont Albert
Road, which existed as a track from Barkers Road, in the west, east to Elgar Road. "Mount Albert"
was the original name for Mont Albert Station
1850s The first roads consisted of rough tracks used by timber cutters and farmers.
1870s The section
of Mont Albert Rd in the Canterbury area was opened up to housing in the 1870s,
and became a strip for the wealthy, and the name ”The Golden Mile” was coined. Many huge mansions on large properties
were built, some still standing today.
1873
Mont Albert Rd was officially named, along with other main roads in
the area.
Mont Albert Rd crosses the site of the
former Outer Circle Railway, in Canterbury, built in 1890 and closed in the
mid-1940s. The line is now a shared Rail Trail.
