Point Leo, Victoria
| Point Leo Victoria | |||||||||||||||
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  Point Leo | |||||||||||||||
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| Coordinates | 38°25′16″S 145°04′30″E / 38.421°S 145.075°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 178 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1940s | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3916 | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Mornington Peninsula | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Nepean | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Flinders | ||||||||||||||
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Point Leo is a small coastal village on the shore of Western Port bay on the eastern side of the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 67 km (42 mi) south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula local government area. Point Leo recorded a population of 178 at the 2021 census.
Point Leo Foreshore Reserve provides excellent waves for surfing and is one of the closest surf beaches to Melbourne.
History[edit]
The area was known as Bobbanaring to the local Bunurong people prior to European settlement.[2] The area was first surveyed in 1841, and a town was proposed here in 1869, but the area did not develop until after World War II, when the Woods family built a house and store. Facilities were developed in the 1960s, including camping grounds, toilet blocks with hot showers on the foreshore and a kiosk on the surf beach. A Post Office opened on 8 December 1969, but closed in 1974.[3] By the 1980s the area was still dominated by holiday homes and weekend travellers with few permanent residents.[4]
Present day[edit]
The small town contains a general store and supports an active surf lifesaving club and boat club. A large foreshore reserve includes picnic, barbecue and camping areas, managed by Point Leo Foreshore, and provide access to the surf beach. A gate fee is payable. Most other facilities are available from nearby Shoreham and Balnarring.[5]
No public transport services Point Leo directly although the bus route 782 operated by Ventura Bus Lines between Frankston and Flinders passes within 2 km of the town.[6]
See also[edit]
- Shire of Hastings – Point Leo was previously within this former local government area.
References[edit]
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Point Leo (Suburbs and Localities)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "A to Z Melbourne: Geographical Place Names". pocketozmelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ Graeme Butler & Associates. "Volume 2, Environmental History" (PDF). Hastings District Heritage Study Stage Two. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ Map 257, Melway street directory (28th ed., 2001)
- ^ "782 Frankston - Flinders via Coolart Road & Hastings". Public Transport Victoria.
External links[edit]
Localities in the Shire of Mornington Peninsula | ||
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^ - Territory divided with another LGA | ||