Pick up a copy of the Chiltern Touring Guide from the Chiltern visitor centre – it guides you around 20 historic sites scattered around the town.
Among the National Trust–classified sites are the Athenaeum Library & Museum , in the former Town Hall (1866), with a collection of memorabilia, art, photos and equipment from the gold-rush days; Dow’s Pharmacy , a chemist's from 1859 to 1968, with lotions and potions from the early days; and Lake View Homestead , built in 1870 and overlooking Lake Anderson. It was the home of Henry Handel (Ethel Florence) Richardson, who wrote about life here in the book Ultima Thule (1929), the third part of her trilogy The Fortunes of Richard Mahony (1930).
Star Hotel Museum & Theatre , once used for plays and dances, was the centrepiece of Chiltern’s social and cultural life. Unfortunately the museum here is rarely open these days (call ahead for an appointment or ask at the visitor centre). The grapevine in the courtyard is the largest in Australia – you can just see it down the alleyway off Conness St.
