GREAT ALPINE ROAD VISITOR GUIDE | PAGE 17 EL DORADO A perfect place for pottering...and pottery! A former gold-rush hub, that in its heyday was home to more than 7,000 people, El Dorado has a fascinating history, and one of the best places to learn about it is at El Dorado Museum. Housed in and around the town's old school building, the volunteer-managed museum was started by the local community in 1967 and has run continuously ever since. It is open each Sunday from 2pm to 4.30pm, and on most public holidays from 10am to 4pm. Packed with relics and stories of a former age, here you can find out about El Dorado's mining era, as well as access local family history, school and lodge records (useful for family-tree makers). Groups are welcome, and private bookings can be made for outside general open times. The museum also offers various activities for children. Entry is $5 an adult, $3 for a school-age child, and $15 for a family. It is also worthwhile taking a trip to the Cock's El Dorado Gold and Tin Mining Dredge, which is situated on the Wangaratta side of Eldorado about two kilometres from the museum. Here you can marvel at its immense size, read information panels, and take a walk around the dredge hole area. El Dorado Museum is located at 136 Main Street, El Dorado. You can call the museum on (03) 5725 1542, visit online at eldoradomuseum.com or find it on Instagram: @eldoradomuseum El Dorado Pottery Studio Housed in a handmade mudbrick building, El Dorado Pottery Studio has a variety of beautiful ceramics on display, all hand-crafted by resident studio potter Howard Phillips. A potter for more than 50 years, Howard creates both ornamental and practical items in a wide range of colours. Howard's pottery links began in Bendigo, where his grandfather worked at Bendigo Pottery, and later at Phillips Brickworks. Generally open from 10am to 5pm, studio opening hours can vary, so it's a good idea to call ahead. Some of Howard's pottery items are now also available at the Eldorado General Store. El Dorado Pottery Studio is located at 2 Brewer Lane, Eldorado. You can call the studio on (03) 5725 1542 or find it on Instagram: @eldoradopots El Dorado Pottery Studio is housed in a handmade mudbrick building. El Dorado Museum was created in and around the town’s old school building. PB10940
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