Camperdown

Overview

Surrounded by lakes and presided over by a volcanic mount and gothic clock tower Camperdown offers a spectacular array of period architecture legacy of a prosperous pastoral history. Wide avenues of elm and oak offer relatively low traffic volume and plenty of impressive manicured streetscapes.

The town contains over 100 heritage listed buildings many that have played a key role in local historical events:  the Loch Ard story (Post Office) and illegal whisky distillation (Court House) to name a few. Local vintage car enthusiasts regularly rolling around town offer a delightful anachronistic visage.

History

The Djarurd Wurrung people are the traditional aboriginal owners of the land around Camperdown and district. For tens of thousands of years they successfully occupied the area as a semi-nomadic hunter gatherer society.

The first European settlers to arrive in the Camperdown district were the Manifold brothers John Peter and Thomas. Camperdown has benefited immensely from the patronage of the Manifold family and the wealth created by the wool and dairy industries. This wealth is reflected in the town’d beautiful tree lined avenues, numerous monuments and fine historic buildings. 

In the period 1880-1930, there was a transition from simple wooden structures to more substantial ‘bricks and mortar’.  Many of Camperdown’s notable historic buildings were erected during this time. The most prominent and significant structure in the Avenue is the gothic style Clock Tower. Built in 1897, this is acknowledged as the finest free standing Clock Tower in Australia. (Courtesy of the Camperdown and District Historical Society)

Places of interest

Lake Bullen Merri (South Beach)
Manifold Street Elms

Botanic Gardens

Renny’s lookout

Lake Gnotuk

Historic Grandstand at Racecourse

Gothic clock tower

Mount Leura and Sugarloaf
Timboon House
Historic Dry Stone Walls
Floating Islands Nature reserve
Lake Bookar
Lake Colongulac
Post Office and Courthouse
Large disused Cheese and Butter Factory
Lake Purrumbete
Purrumbete Homestead – a grand manor overlooking a volcanic lake

Accommodation

Camperdown has a fantastic range of accommodation to suit your needs including self contained apartments, guest houses, a motel, motor inn, cottages and the local hotel. Timboon House and Stables rate a special mention … perfect for stepping back in time.

For further information please visit www.visit12apostles.com.au or call 1300 137 255.

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