Taradale, Victoria

Taradale
Taradale Viaduct
Taradale
Coordinates: 37°08′S 144°21′E / 37.133°S 144.350°E / -37.133; 144.350
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
LGA
Location
Established1861
Government
 • State electorate
 • Federal division
Elevation
384 m (1,260 ft)
Population
 • Total448 (2016 census)
Postcode
3447

Taradale is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is located beside the Calder Highway between Melbourne and Bendigo. Its local government area is the Shire of Mount Alexander. At the 2016 census, Taradale had a population of 448.

The town is also located on the Melbourne to Bendigo railway line, although the station was closed in 1976. The Taradale Viaduct, designed by William Bryson, carries the railway 36 metres above Back Creek, and was built between 1858 and 1862.

Taradale has now been bypassed by the Calder Freeway.

Facilities in town include a petrol station/general store/post office and a cafe.

There is also a primary school, public hall and CFA fire station plus a riverside park, picnic area, mineral springs and playground.

Taradale provides a convenient approach to the Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve, an excellent wildflower area. The observation period runs from August to December.