Thomas Austin migrated from Tasmania and occupied the present day site of Winchelsea in 1837.

Austin built up his estate of Barwon Park to 29,000 acres (12,000 ha), including a mansion which still stands today.

[2] The town developed around the Barwon Inn, established in 1842 by Prosper Nicholas Trebeck and Charles Beal [1].

The local railway station is served by V/Line passenger services on the Warrnambool line.

The Winchelsea Golf Club is located between Lorne Road and Lauders Lane.