Gellibrand (also known as Gellibrand River) is a small town on the Gellibrand River, approximately 20 minutes drive south of Colac on the road to Beech Forest and Lavers Hill (C155). The town was named after Joseph Gellibrand, an early European settler and the first attorney-general of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
The town is central to many of the walks and waterfalls in the Otway Ranges, with good fishing in the river and is on the Old Beechy Trail for walking, cycling and horse riding, built on the right-of-way of the narrow gauge rail line which ran until the early 1960s from Colac to Beech Forest and Crowes (a short distance beyond Lavers Hill).
Gellibrand is home to the Gellibrand River Blues and Blueberry Festival held on the first weekend of March each year, presenting a variety of musical acts, an art expo and Otways produce market.
The Gellibrand River Hotel. |