from The Desoza Freehold. Thereafter Desoza was known as The Gold King of Buninyong. The Gold King title was celebrated in the township with a Gold King Festival held in February each year from 1975 to 2009. The town's wide streets were planned in expectation of further growth, however prosperity ended with the gold rush and the town reverted to a small pastoral settlement. A railway from Ballarat was opened in 1889 with the passenger station completed in 1890, although it is no longer used. The line ran from the Ballarat station stopping at Ballarat East Station, Eureka Station, Levy Siding, Canadian Station, Mount Clear Station, Reid Siding, Mt Helen Siding terminating at the Buninyong Station. Popularly named 'The Bunny' the line ceased to carry passengers in the late 1930s, and freight in 1947 when the line was closed. Buninyong's landmarks include Mount Buninyong (volcanic mountain), gardens and the many historic buildings, including the Town Hall, Crown Hotel, Holy Trinity Church among others. The Buninyong Botanic Gardens at Buninyong are among the oldest Botanic Gardens in the State of Victoria. Today There are several grand "boom style" homes in and around the town. The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Central Highlands Football League. Golfers play at the Buninyong Golf Club on Learmonth Street. Buninyong Bowling Club is one of the oldest bowling clubs in Australia (est. 1872) and is located in the beautiful township of Buninyong, which lies at the foot of Mt Buninyong, 11k south of Ballarat in Victoria. Address 708 Inglis St, Buninyong VIC 3357 Buninyong has hosted segments of the Australian National Road Race Championships for cycling, held in January each year, since 2007. Notable residents John Alexander Gunn 1860 - 1910, Australian pioneer scientist and politician. References External links A village with history, Sandy Guy, The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2009. Towns in Victoria (Australia) Mining towns in Victoria (Australia)