Welcome to Colac

Colac is located on the southern shore of Lake Colac, one of more than 50 lakes in the district, and the largest freshwater lake in Victoria. Colac is 148 km west of Melbourne on the Princes Highway, at an elevation of 134 metres, with good access to the Great Ocean Road.
Colac is a commercial,
service and logal government centre of about 14,500 people located at the
eastern edge of the world's third-largest volcanic plain, a landscape scattered
with craters and cones, that has shaped the evolution of the district. Its
fertile soil results in a productive area with agricultural, pastoral and
dairying industries, noted for its onions, potatoes, cattle, pigs, poultry,
timber, sheep and milk products. The area's
prosperity is evident in a number of fine homesteads.
Colac is also known as 'the Gateway to the Otways' (a reference to the nearby
Otway Ranges and surrounding forest to the south of town).
Above and top: Views of Murray Street, named after the area's original
squatter, Hugh Murray, who arrived in 1837 and is generally regarded as
the founder of the town. Murray Street is part of the Princes Highway (A1).
Memorial Square was developed at the turn of the twentieth century and later
dedicated as a memorial to local residents who served in World War I. The
Square boasts a striking planting of mature elm trees, and there are barbecue
facilities, public toilets, a children's playground and a bandstand. The
Lions Club's market is held on the third Sunday of each month. The Square
is also the venue for a variety of events including Colac Custom Car & Bike
Show in January and the Colac Kana Festival.
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Visitor Information Centre
Built by Colac Apex Club and managed by Colac Otway Shire with the assistance of volunteers.
Corner Murray Street (Princes Highway) and Queen Street
(03) 5231 3730
This website was constructed as part of a Curtin University of Technology Masters Degree study project. It is proposed to be an education and informational resource and community portal for the Municipality of Colac and immediate district.