Leongatha is located 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne in Gippsland's famous dairy country and in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges. Leongatha boasts a vibrant town centre surrounded by rolling green pastures and is only 10 mins drive from Korumburra and around 15 mins to Meeniyan. The town is the civic, commercial, industrial, religious, educational and sporting centre of the South Gippsland region and has a population of over 5,000. The regions council, South Gippsland Shire, operates from Leongatha.
Leongatha's long agricultural heritage is underscored with Saputo (formerly the Murray-Goulburn Dairy) having a factory just north of the town centre.
Home to the Lyric Theatre, the only cinema for 30 mins or more (in any direction), expansive hospital, medical and healthcare facilities, 3 major supermarkets, the well known 'Sweet Life' Cafe and 2 large and long standing pubs (McCartin's Hotel & Bairs Otago Hotel), Leongatha is the last large township for those heading to Wilsons Promontory.
At the main roundabout where the two main roads meet are some of Leongatha's oldest buildings including the post office (built in 1887), court house (1912) and Mechanics Institute (1912). The town also boasts numerous shops, galleries and museums devoted to the local arts and crafts of the region.
For a rural Australian town, Leongatha has an unusually wide range of sports including: athletics, basketball, badminton, cricket, croquet, cycling (BMX, road and track), equestrian, football (Australian rules, association and indoor soccer), golf, gymnastics, hockey (field and underwater), lawn bowls, martial arts (karate and taekwondo), netball, shooting, skateboarding, softball, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball (indoor and beach). The town also boasts a large YMCA complex (including pool, gym and basketball courts) and neighbouring tennis courts.
Leongatha marks the start of the 68km long Great Southern Rail Trail which goes through Meeniyan, Fish Creek, Foster and Toora and includes stunning scenery along the way (ranging from wide open flat farmlands to natural bush reserves). Beginning just south of the Leongatha railway station, it's mainly used for walking, cycling and horse riding.
