Kyneton is a town of 5000 people situated approximately 85 km North West of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the Central Highlands of Victoria at an altitude of 510 m above sea level. Kyneton was settled relatively early in Victoria's history and became an important agricultural district. The early settlement was aided by good rainfall, fertile volcanic soils and relatively open vegetation which meant farms could easily be established without clearing the dense timber as in other parts of the state.
The first European to explore the Kyneton area was Major Thomas Mitchell. He passed through Kyneton on 30th September 1836 on the way to Mount Macedon which he named. He also named the Campaspe River, in the valley of which, Kyneton is located.
When gold was discovered in Castlemaine and Bendigo in the late 1850s and '60s thousands of miners passed through Kyneton en route. Kyneton prospered during this period as its farms were able to supply much needed provision. At the peak of this activity there were at least five flour mills operating in the Kyneton region.
During the 20th Century, Kyneton was consolidated and became the commercial focus of its district, providing goods and services for the local farming community. In 1998 Kyneton still carries on the role augmented by a small manufacturing base and a growing regional population of urban fringe residents. The local industries include beef, cattle, sheep, potatoes, forestry, race horses and small local wineries. some of the small manufacturing industries include John Brown knit wear, Gainsborough, Ajax foundry, and the abbatoirs. Kyneton is well known as a historical tourist town with an excellent museum and antique trade.