The main street of Leongatha

Leongatha
The largest commercial centre in South Gippsland.
With a temperate climate and situated amidst rolling green hills, Leongatha is 133 km south-east of Melbourne via the South Gippsland Highway and 83 metres above sea level. It is recognised as the commercial, educational and civic centre of the South Gippsland Shire and the largest town in South Gippsland. The word 'Leongatha' is, as far as can be determined, an Aboriginal word thought to refer to teeth.

Europeans first moved into the area in 1845 and settlers began to clear the huge mountain ash trees from the environment in the 1870s. Dairying became important in the area in the 1880s. It received a considerable boost with the exporting opportunities provided by the arrival of the railway in 1891.

During the recession which followed the land boom of the 1880s the government sought ways to alleviate unemployment and the dangers believed to be associated with it. Influenced by German examples they decided to establish a labour colony and selected Leongatha as a site, due principally to the large forests of blue gum and messmate considered to be in need of destruction by locals. The colony was intended to be self-supporting. Twelve men arrived in 1893 and were housed in tents. From that time until 1903, when it was closed due to the completion of the clearing project, 6000 men passed through the colony. Corn, sugar beet, broom and flax were all grown and a dairy was established. In 1904 the colony reopened at half its previous size. Ten hectares were sold to the Leongatha Butter and Cheese Factory, which purchased the land with a view to establishing a "scent farm", though only lavender met with any success and the land later became a part of the factory itself. The colony was closed for good in 1914, presumably because the pool of surplus labour dried up, for obvious reasons. None of the colony's buildings survived the subdivision of the land for soldier settlement farms after World War I.

Today, the Murray-Goulburn Dairy in Leongatha is the largest cooperative in the southern hemisphere. The Leongatha Food and Wine Festival is held in January.

Things to see:  

Brackenhurst
The milking of some 300 cows can be inspected at 'Brackenhurst' (either at 6.00 a.m. or 3.30 p.m.). The farm is located at Nerrena, 10 km south-east of Leongatha. Contact (03) 5664 9261 for details. Next door is 'Rockhill Farm', an experimental farm established in 1926 by J.T. Knox.

Arts and Crafts and Museums
Those interested in arts and crafts should wish to visit the Leongatha Arts and Crafts Gallery at the corner of McCartin St and Michael Place or the Magic Mushroom Craft Shop in 40 Bair St, situated in one of the town's oldest buildings. There is also a local historical museum in McCartin St, which contains old photographs, maps, toys, clothing, books, kitchenware and farm equipment.

J & J Cash Weaving Factory
One of the principal industries in town is the J and J Cash weaving factory in Holt St, which is open for the inspection of visitors. Both Quakers, John and Joseph Cash arrived in Australia in 1913, transferring their operations to Leongatha in 1972. Public inspections are available from 9.00 a.m. to noon and 12.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m Monday to Friday.

Tarwin Ridge Winery
Leongatha South is 8 km south-east of Leongatha. In Wintles Rd is Tarwin Ridge Winery, tel: (03) 5664 3211 or (0418) 643 211.

Firelight Museum
9 km north of the town, on the Mirboo North Road, is the Firelight Museum, which possesses 160 lamps used over the last century and a collection of firearms from the last 300 years. It also contains arts and crafts and serves Devonshire teas.

Moss Vale Park
14 km north of Leongatha, on the Tarwin River, is Moss Vale Park, with its English and European ornamental trees and shrubs. The park was developed by Francis Moss who developed a substantial nursery and planted vast quantities of deciduous trees. Each February the Victorian Concert Orchestra plays in the park's sound shell. The event attracts thousands of visitors.

Lookouts and Other Attractions
Also in the area are Besterfield's Lookout, Lancey's Lookout, the Wilkur Creek Picnic Area, Mount Eccles Lookout, the Tarwin Valley Lookout and the Tarwin Valley Clydesdales, a collection of horse-drawn vehicles and the horses which pulled them.

	Motels
	Leongatha Motel 18 Turner St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2375 Rating: ***
	Opal Motel South Gippsland Hwy Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2321 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Bairs Otago Hotel Bair St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2017
	McCartins Hotel Bair St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2015
	Caravan Parks
	Apex Caravan Park Turner St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2753 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Leongatha Motel 18 Turner St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2375
	Mun Heng Restaurant Bair St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 3905
	Par Five Restaurant Turner St Leongatha VIC 3953 Telephone: (03) 5662 2375