Learmonth
In this section
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Town information
Region
City of BallaratPopulation
300Distance from Melbourne
141 kms /88 miles and 1 hour 40 minutes travelling time from MelbourneRoad access
Sunraysia Highway
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Places of interest
Lake Learmonth
Historic township and buildings
Wide, tree lined highway
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Accommodation
Although Learmonth does not offer any local accommodation, just 20 minutes drive away in Ballarat there are approximately 5000 beds and 250 accommodation providers in the Ballarat area. Ballarat offers an excellent range of accommodation properties from heritage guesthouses, motels, hotels, holiday parks and B&Bs.
Ballarat Accommodation Booking Office:
Telephone 1800 44 66 33
International +61 3 5320 5758
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Overview
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.
