Learmonth

Learmonth, population 300, is located 21 kilometres north-west of Ballarat. This small hamlet on the shores of Lake Learmonth supports the surrounding farming population and has prospered primarily due to Lake Learmonth which offers a pleasant environment for campers, fishermen and boating enthusiasts. Recent years of drought have been devastating for this small town as the Lake has been completely dry for almost three years.

History

Learmonth was founded by Thomas Livingstone Learmonth who in August 1837 spotted Lake Burrumbeet from Mount Buninyong. One feature which brought Learmonth to prominence was that it is located on the most easily accessible gap over the Great Dividing Range between Melbourne and Geelong and the splendid grazing lands of the Avoca and Wimmera Rivers.

In the early 1860s Learmonth was a very busy and properous town. There were four big blacksmithing establishments making implements for the farms, as Ballarat was too busy catering for the mines. There were also six hotels within a mile and three quarters, four very good stores, saddlers' shops and two bakeries.

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