| LEONGATHA - VICTORIA - 3953 | ||||
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Population: 5020, Elevation: 87, Latitude: 38.30.00 Longitude: 145.57.00 Location: 135km south east of Melbourne Highway: South Gippsland Hwy Nearest Major Town: Leongatha Nearest Airport: Leongatha Touring Area: Phillip Island & Gippsland Discovery |
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 One of many magnificent buildings in Leongatha. | |
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Leongatha is a medium size town in the South Gippsland area and a hub for a rich rural industry.
It is also the location of Australia's largest dairy factory which supplies products to much of
eastern Victoria. During the 1870s, settlers cleared the surrounding land of Mountain Ash to provide land for pastoral development. In 1862 the South Gippsland Railway reached Leongatha and, combined with the state government nominating the town as a 'labour colony', it developed rapidly. From 1893 to 1904 6,000 men cleared the surrounding forest of bluegum and messmate to open up more land for cattle grazing. After World War 1, it also became a soldier settlement area with land grants and special provisions for returned servicemen. Today Leongatha is a pretty town at the foot of the Strzelecki Ranges providing commercial and cultural facilities for a busy farming area and the many visitors. The main street has many variety stores and there are small arcades to investigate full of interesting shops and cafes. PLACES OF INTEREST: ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:
INFORMATION CENTRE: There is no Information Centre in Leongatha. The South Gippsland Information Centre is in Korumburra on the eastern edge of the town on the South Gippsland Highway. South Gippsland Visitor Information Centre Cnr South Gippsland Hwy & Silkstone Rd. Korumburra. VIC 3950 Ph: 03 5655 2233. Free Call 1800 630 704 HOW TO GET THERE: By road from Melbourne or Sale along the South Gippsland Hwy. |
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |