Walhalla - The Rich Town Spirit Lives on

The changing role of small country towns has long fascinated me, particularly how they adapt, endure, or quietly disappear. Walhalla first drew me in as part of a personal art project with NPPE, where the remarkable restoration of this former gold-rush town revealed a story of resilience. Once reduced to fewer than fifty residents and labelled a “ghost town,” Walhalla has been carefully revived, its historic buildings restored in heritage greens, deep creams, rich reds, and maroons—colours that honour both its past and its survival.

Yet this renewal sits against a deeper history. After gold was discovered in 1862, Walhalla grew rapidly from the forest, only to retreat back into it when the mines closed in the early 1900s. Spending several days walking its streets, photographing its details, and learning its stories, I sensed that the town had found a new purpose. These images are my tribute to those who lived, worked, and died here, and to the enduring spirit that allows Walhalla to continue welcoming visitors today.

Click on an image to view its backstory and a larger version. The works are available as digital downloads for those who wish to print them themselves.