Omeo Victoria
The historic Omeo Post office by night
Omeo
Population:	452 (2006)[1]
Postcode:	3898
Coordinates:	37°05′S 147°35′E / 37.083°S 147.583°E / -37.083; 147.583Coordinates: 37°05′S 147°35′E / 37.083°S 147.583°E / -37.083; 147.583
Elevation:	685.0 m (2,247 ft)
Location:	400 km (249 mi) from Melbourne 121 km (75 mi) from Orbost 108 km (67 mi) from Bright
LGA:	Shire of East Gippsland
State District:	Gippsland East
Federal Division:	Gippsland
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall 18.3 °C 65 °F 4.8 °C 41 °F 678.8 mm 26.7 in

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Omeo (pronounced /ˈoʊmiːoʊ/)^[2] is a town in Victoria, Australia, located on the Great Alpine Road, east of Mount Hotham, in the Shire of East Gippsland. At the 2006 census, Omeo had a population of 452. The name is derived from the Aboriginal word for 'mountains'. It serves as the commercial hub for the Tambo and Omeo Valleys.

[edit] History

The area was first visited by stockmen who drove stock through the region as early as 1835. In 1845 gold was found around Omeo.

The Post Office near its present location opened on 1 January 1858. However, two earlier offices in different locations named Omeo were open in 1851 and 1856 to 1857.^[3]

Earthquakes in 1885 and 1892, and the Black Friday bushfires of 1939, caused damage to Omeo, yet several old buildings remain including the historical Omeo Bank House.

[edit] The Town today

The town hosts the Omeo Plains Mountain Festival in December and January each year, a market and rodeo and polo match at Cobungra around Easter, and an agricultural show in November.

The town in conjunction with neighbouring township Benambra has an Australian rules football team competing in the Omeo & District Football League.

Omeo has a horse racing club, the Omeo District Racing Club, whose one meeting a year is the Omeo Cup meeting held at Hinnomunjie in March. ^[4]

Golfers play at the course of the Omeo Golf Club on Stanley Drive.^[5]

Attractions include the Oriental Claims, the Cuckoo Clock shop, White Water rafting on the Mitta Mitta. The Cobungra River, Tambo River and Mitta Mitta River all provide good trout fishing.

Location of Omeo in Victoria (red)

Omeo Town centre, as seen from the Primary School

Omeo as seen from the old Omeo Highway

Butchers Creek, Omeo, Victoria, Australia

Field of hay bales, Omeo, Victoria, Australia.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Omeo, Victoria

• Official Omeo Region Homepage
• Omeo - omeoregion.com.au

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