The locality is in the Shire of Mount Alexander local government area and on the Midland Highway, 131 kilometres (81 mi) north west of the state capital, Melbourne and 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south of Castlemaine.

[1][2] The locality was originally part of the Strathloddon pastoral run which was held by several notable people including Frederick Taylor.

Gold was discovered in the area in 1852 and miners flocked to what was known as the "Pennyweight Flat diggings".

The settlement was named "Yapeen" in 1861, for an Aboriginal word meaning "green hill" or "valley".

Chinese miners were prominent in the area and some later established market gardens.