The locality is in the Golden Plains Shire near the regional city of Geelong and 106 kilometres (66 mi) west of the state capital, Melbourne.

The Post Office opened on 1 July 1847 with the town names The Leigh which was renamed Shelford in 1854.

By 1865 the town had a court house, post office, a mechanics institute and two hotels.

In about 1890 Janet Biddlecombe started to manage the Golf Hill station taking over from her brother.

After the Second World War some larger land holding were carved up for a soldier settlement scheme.