Kennett River, Victoria

This article is about the town. For the river, see Kennet River (Victoria).

Kennett River is a town in Colac Otway Shire, Victoria, Australia.

Kennett River Victoria
Koala Cove Cafe
Kennett River
Coordinates	38°40′0″S 143°51′0″E
Population	74 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	3234
Location	174 km (108 mi) SW of Melbourne 100 km (62 mi) SW of Geelong 44 km (27 mi) SE of Colac 27 km (17 mi) SW of Lorne
LGA(s)	Colac Otway Shire
State electorate(s)	Polwarth
Federal division(s)	Corangamite
Localities around Kennett River: Barramunga Wye River Wye River Barramunga Kennett River Bass Strait Mount Sabine Wongarra Grey River

Situated 174 kilometres (108 mi) west of Melbourne, on the Otway Coast portion of the scenic Great Ocean Road, Kennett River is a popular tourist destination 27 kilometres (17 mi) from the resort town of Lorne, Victoria.

History

The river running through the town was named by surveyor George Smythe after the River Kennet in Berkshire, England.^[2]

In 1882, Alex MacLennan and his cousins, the MacReas, were looking for an area suited to farming and fishing. MacLennan chose this site, which he named The Kennet. His cousins settled on the other side of the creek at a site named Wye River.^[3]

Kennett River Post Office opened on 15 December 1938 and closed in about 1984.^[4]

Tourism

The area is known for scenic coastal views, whale watching, the Great Otway National Park, and surfing.^[5] Although koala populations have declined across the country,^[6] Kennett River is still considered one of the best places in Australia to see them in the wild.^[7][8][9] The Victoria State Government has implemented plans in the Cape Otway area to manage the koala population and improve their health,^[10] though some of the actions taken have been controversial.^[11]

The area is also home to a variety of birds, including cockatoos, parrots, rosellas, owls, and kookaburras,^[12] and to glow-worms.^[13]

Kennett River has a Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) that was established in 1963.^[14]