[1] The town, originally called Spring Grove, was once a major potato growing area and continues to have extensive agricultural activities.

Classified by the National Trust, it has a number of fine historic buildings, as well as cobbled, bluestone-bordered streets, art galleries, gift and antiques shops, a museum, two hotels, restaurants and cafes, a bowling club and motel.

Two of the main streets, Victoria (which runs east-west) and Park (north-south), follow the contours of the local topography with a more regularised grid system extending outwards from them.

The town is based upon a land grant originally known as Grove Farm which was made out to convict overseer Charles Booth in 1834.

Its great seasonal range approaches that of climates much farther south, due to its far western location compared to other areas on the Central Tablelands.