Forge Creek

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Forge Creek Victoria
File:Wattle Point Jetty - panoramio (2).jpg Wattle Point Jetty
Forge Creek is located in Victoria Forge Creek
Coordinates	37.850°S 147.650°E / -37.850; 147.650 Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Population	346 (2021)
Postcode(s)	3875
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
Location	234 km (145 mi) E of Melbourne 4 km (2 mi) SE of Bairnsdale
LGA(s)	Shire of East Gippsland
Region	Gippsland
County	Tanjil
State electorate(s)	Gippsland East
Federal Division(s)	Gippsland

Forge Creek is a rural locality in eastern Victoria, Australia, located in the Shire of East Gippsland. It lies approximately 4 kilometres south-east of Bairnsdale, the principal regional centre of East Gippsland, and about 234 kilometres east of Melbourne. The area is characterised by farmland, rural residential properties, and proximity to major waterways including the Mitchell River and the Gippsland Lakes system.

Geography

Forge Creek is situated on low-lying floodplains associated with the Mitchell River system. The locality consists mainly of agricultural land, bushland, and scattered rural residences rather than a defined township centre. Nearby localities include Newlands Arm, Eagle Point and Goon Nure.

History

Indigenous history

The area around Forge Creek lies within the traditional lands of the Gunaikurnai people, specifically the Brabralung clan. The Mitchell River and surrounding wetlands provided food resources, transport routes, and sites of cultural significance.

European settlement

European settlement began in the mid-19th century during pastoral expansion into the Gippsland region. Early settlers established grazing runs along fertile river flats. By the late 1800s, large pastoral holdings were subdivided into smaller farms supporting cropping, dairying, and mixed agriculture. The name Forge Creek is believed to derive from a small local watercourse recorded during early surveying.

Development remained sparse through the 20th century, with the area maintaining a rural character focused on farming and residential properties. Residents relied on nearby Bairnsdale for services, education, and commerce.

Population

According to the 2021 Australian census, Forge Creek had a population of 346 people. The population consists primarily of family households living in detached dwellings on large land parcels typical of rural localities.

Economy and land use

Land use in Forge Creek is predominantly rural and includes livestock grazing, small-scale farming, and rural residential development. Many residents commute to Bairnsdale for employment, retail, and healthcare services.

Forge Creek Free range

Forge Creek Free Range is a family‑owned egg farm in Forge Creek, East Gippsland, Victoria. Established by Deb and Peter Hahnemann, the farm raises over 650 hens on pasture, providing them daily outdoor access in a free range system. The eggs are supplied to local customers, specialty food businesses, and retail outlets.

The farm gained national attention when it was featured on Adam Liaw’s Roadtrip for Good. Liaw visited the farm during the series, using Forge Creek eggs to prepare chawanmushi, showcasing the quality of locally produced free range eggs.

Recreation and water activities

Forge Creek’s proximity to the Mitchell River and the Gippsland Lakes supports outdoor recreation and water-based activities including boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife observation. Common fish species in nearby waters include black bream, flathead, and estuary perch.

Camps and tourism facilities

Several camps in and near Forge Creek support outdoor education and group accommodation.

Camp Coolamatong

Camp Coolamatong is an outdoor education camp located on the Gippsland Lakes near Forge Creek. It provides accommodation for school and community groups and offers activities such as sailing, canoeing, and environmental education programs.

Lakewood Park Camp

Lakewood Park Camp is a smaller recreational facility within the locality offering cabins, camping areas, and access to surrounding bushland and waterways.

Environment

Forge Creek lies within ecologically significant wetlands associated with the Mitchell River and Gippsland Lakes. The area supports waterbird populations including pelicans and black swans, along with native fish and riparian vegetation.

Governance

Forge Creek is located within the Shire of East Gippsland local government area. It is part of the state electoral district of Gippsland East and the federal division of Division of Gippsland.

See also

• Bairnsdale
• Gippsland Lakes
• Mitchell River
• East Gippsland

References

This article "Forge Creek" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Forge Creek. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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