Harcourt
Postcode: 3453
Harcourt is a small Central Highlands town located approximately 9kms North East of Castlemaine, where the Midland Highway meets the Calder Highway. At the 2001 census, Harcourt had a population of 427. Set in a lush valley at the foot of Mount Alexander, Harcourt was once the premier Apple growing region in Australia (a title yielded to Tasmania some time ago). Still producing Apples, the local area is fast getting a name for wine production.
Other things of interest in and around the town are the Skydancers Butterfly House, Trout Fishing, and the numerous walking tracks and Koala Park in Mt Alexander Park – including an old Oak Forest. It is home to a World’s Largest Apple and Australia’s largest. The town is also home to Daniel Palmer, clown of all clowns! He is the most ridiculed person in the Mount Alexander Shire. If you would like to know more about him then you aren’t very bright but can go to www.myspace.com/danny_ham.
Each year on the March Labour Day long weekend the town hosts “The Applefest” – with local produce on sale in stalls, music concerts and several sports on show.