One in a series of caches to highlight the many towns, villages, hamlets, localities and crossroads across Victoria. Based on a series of caches in South Australia initiated by local SA cacher adelaideram. adelaideram was contacted and is happy with the series spreading its wings into Victoria.
The town of Gellibrand is located in the Otways. Population 210 (2016) Postcode 3239
The town of Gellibrand boasts the Gellibrand River (suitable for fishing) and the fantastic Beechy Rail walking/cycling trail runs through it.
Gellibrand is named after Joseph Gellibrand (1792-1837), he was an early colonist and explorer in Victoria. In 1987 while exploring the Otway Ranges he went missing (supposedly somewhere near here…) and was body was never recovered, making for a mystery in the area.
Gellibrand is commonly referred to by locals and google maps as ‘Gellibrand’ rather than ‘Gellibrand River’ as it is named on the town’s sign.
In the late 1800’s European settlers moved into the Otways region for the timber (particularly the mountain ash) and the farming opportunities.
In the 1902 the railway line, ‘The Beechy’ opened with stops that included Colac, Gellibrand and Beech Forest.
In 1957 the railway line closed.
These days Gellibrand offers a cafe/store/LPO, a pub with a view, a caravan park as well as a playground.
Annually, on the last weekend of February, Gellibrand hosts the Gellibrand River Blues event, part of the event is the annual Gellibrand River Market in the Rex Norman Reserve.
In the September school holidays the locals host the ‘Golden Gumboot’, hiding gold coloured gumboots with prizes up for grabs.
To find the cache location, complete the jigsaw ... A Jigidi for … Gellibrand