Towns in Australia

Exploring Australia, town by town

Camperdown VIC

Camperdown

Postcode: 3260

Camperdown is an historically significant rural town in western Victoria, Australia, population 4,860, 193.6 km south west (38.15S 143.9E) of the state’s capital, Melbourne.

Camperdown lies within the ‘Lakes and Craters’ region, sitting at the foot of Mount Leura which together with nearby Mount Sugerloaf are part of a large extinct volcanic complex known as the “Leura Maar”. To the immediate west are the deep volcanic crater lakes Bullen-Merri and Gnotuk while to the east is the crater lake Purrumbete popular for its Trout and Chinook Salmon fishing.

The town is renowned for its classic historical buildings. Central is the 103 foot high Gothic Manifold Clock Tower, built 1897, which sits in a wide Elm lined median between the dual carriageways of Manifold Street, named in honour of one of the pioneer pastoralists. Tower, avenue, Boer War memorial, Soldiers’ memorial, memorial cross and JC Manifold statue are all listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Among the many other classic buildings are the 1886-7 two storey Georgian style Court House, the 1863 two storey bluestone (granite) Post Office, Theatre Royal (1890) and Masonic Hall (1867-68).