Terang

A half hour drive north-east along the Princes Highway from Warrnambool, the attractive town of Terang is at the centre of a rich dairy district. For eons this was a happy hunting ground for local Aboriginals who set up permanent camps on the shores of Lake Terang which was the hub of an abundant food chain of fish, birds and native animals. The lake has long since been drained but Terang's natural beauty has been enhanced by National Trust listed trees which include a High Street avenue of oaks planted in the 1890s, grey poplars which line the highway and the plane trees of Thompson Street. The very English flora connection is completed by the rose garden in the town centre. The rose garden was established by the local Rotary Club whose appeal to townsfolk to donate a bloom produced a starter-stock of 1000 plants. The town's centrepiece, however, is the post office with its distinctive clock tower which began keeping time in 1904. The tower, in fact, was the first in the Commonwealth to be funded by public subscription.