According to the book Jamieson Founders and Families by Dr. Brian Lloyd, the first Post Office in the upper Goulburn district was at Mansfield in 1858.

By 1865 the town had a Catholic chapel, an Anglican church, a school, a courthouse and police station, two banks, two insurance offices, five hotels, and several stores.

By the 1990s, the town had become a popular tourist destination, boosted by Lake Eildon (situated adjacent to the Jamieson township and formed by the damming of the Goulburn River) reaching 100% capacity in 1996.

It is a popular destination for four wheel drive enthusiasts, fishers, and amateur gold diggers.

In December 2006, Victoria's North-East was affected by many bushfires that threatened to merge into fewer, but bigger fire fronts.