Foster, Victoria

Foster Victoria
Foster Logo
Population:	2175 (2006)[1]
Postcode:	3960
Location:	174 km (108 mi) SE of Melbourne 39 km (24 mi) SE of Leongatha 13 km (8 mi) W of Toora
LGA:	South Gippsland Shire
State District:	Gipplsland South
Federal Division:	McMillan

Foster (38°39′S, 146°12′E) is a dairying and grazing town 174 kilometres (108 mi) south-east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway in Victoria, Australia. It is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of the Gippsland coastline which includes Shallow Inlet, Corner Inlet, Waratah Bay, Yanakie and Wilsons Promontory. At the 2006 census, Foster had a population of 2175. Foster has one hotel and several dining options. Because of the scenic beauty of the surrounding area, and its proximity to Wilsons Promontory and mountain areas inland, Foster is a popular destination for international visitors as well as Melbourne residents. In summer, the town's temporary population can increase by as much as two and a half fold due to tourism. The football club is the Foster Tigers which is part of the Alberton Football League. Foster has markets from November to April. Originally called Stockyard Creek, after the stream which still flows through the centre of the town, Foster was initially nothing more than a resting place for drovers travelling from Port Albert to Western Port. However this all changed with the discovery of gold in the 1880s leading to a (modest) gold rush. After the gold ran out, Foster became a service centre of the burgeoning South Gippsland dairy industry. Today it is a thriving town that links Wilsons Promotory with the rest of Victoria. The Great Southern Rail Trail links Foster to Leongatha and is used by horseriders, cyclists, runners and walkers.

References

External links

• visitmelbourne.com: Foster, Victoria