What influenced

  the establishment and location of Fyansford?

The Geelong settlement with its port, services and market provided increasingly for the needs of miners attending Ballarat gold fields and for settlers from the Western District.

This growing flow of foot, horseback, wagon and bullock-cart traffic helped blaze the shortest, most practical route to Geelong.

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The most direct passage from the Western District to Geelong required careful navigation across the Moorabool / Barwon rivers, up the steep buttress flanking the rivers and passage around any geographical obstacles.

These long-distance travellers, horses and bullock teams required regular rest-stops with ample watering facilities. The area by the confluence of the Moorabool and Barwon rivers was obviously a very suitable location.

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The fertile Moorabool River flats, perfectly situated so close to Geelong, were well-suited to a variety of agricultural pursuits all endeavouring to meet the ever-increasing needs of settlements in the central and western districts of Victoria. The favourable climate was particularly suited to the cultivation of vineyard, orchard and market-gardening produce.

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As the area became more settled with more substantial dwellings and public works being undertaken, the local deposits of quality bluestone, sandstone and limestone were discovered, quarried and proven to be financially viable with numerous local associated industries proving successful. 

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With the gradual increase in the relative comfort, ease and availability of transport, Geelong became increasingly accessible with a gradual increase in the number of citizens dwelling in the locality either commuting to work nearby, working in local businesses or labouring on nearby properties.