Forrest, Victoria

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Forrest
Victoria
Population: 170[1]
Postcode: 3236
Location:
LGA: Colac Otway Shire
State District: Polwarth
Federal Division: Corangamite

Forrest, Victoria is a small rural township located in the Otway Ranges. At the 2006 census, Forrest and the surrounding area had a population of 170.[1]

[edit] History

Originally called Yaugher, the name was changed to Forrest in the early 1900s. The town football team was established in 1891, and is still going strong to this day. Consisting of a "pub", general store and 2 guesthouses, Forrest is the gateway to the Otway Ranges. The West Barwon river flows through the township and it is near the West Barwon reservoir, which services Geelong.

The railway to the town was opened in 1891 and closed in 1957, as a branch line from Birregurra.[2] It serviced the townships of Deans Marsh, Maroon, Barwon Downs, Yaugher and Forrest. At Forrest numerous tramways ran off into the nearby bush. These lines were used to bring the freshly cut timber to the rail head, and the associated sawmills of which there were 4 in Forrest and nearby Yaugher. All of these mills are now closed.

[edit] Today

During the past few years the town has begun to grow again with an influx of people seeking more affordable blocks of land not that far away from the coastal resorts of Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, Grey River, Kennet River and Lorne. These can be reached either by a pleasant drive on a sealed main road or by ex-timber blue metal roads. Advice should be sought before motoring on the backroads to Kennet River, Wye River and Grey River.

Fauna to be viewed on these drives include King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Grey Swamp Wallabies, Echidnas. Koalas have in the past been released into the Otways.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). Forrest (State Suburb). 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
  2. ^ Sid Brown (March 1990). "Tracks Across the State". Newsrail: pages 71-76. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). 
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Coordinates: 38.5167° S 143.7152° E

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Towns in the Colac Otway Shire Local Government Area

Alvie · Apollo Bay · Barongarook · Barwon Downs · Beeac · Beech Forest · Birregurra · Colac · Cororooke · Cressy · Deans Marsh · Elliminyt · Forrest · Gellibrand · Irrewarra · Irrewillepe · Johanna · Kawarren · Kennett River · Larpent · Lavers Hill · Pirron Yallock · Swan Marsh · Warrion · Wye River