Carlisle River

About Carlisle River

Carlisle River is a rural locality and small farming village nestled in the Otway Ranges of south-western Victoria, approximately 30 kilometres south-west of Colac within the Colac Otway Shire local government area. With a 2021 Census population of 168 spread across a large 191 square kilometre area, the community is one of the more remote localities in the region, set in the forested hills and river valleys of the southern Otways. The Carlisle River itself is a tributary of the Gellibrand River, and the area's farming history dates to the 1890s when the fertile valley was first settled and saw milling operations were established.

Carlisle River appeals strongly to outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a deeply rural lifestyle surrounded by the natural splendour of the Otway Ranges. The locality offers access to hiking, fishing in the Gellibrand and Carlisle rivers, and exploration of the temperate rainforest and state forests that characterise this part of the Otways. The Great Ocean Road and towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay are accessible within a reasonable drive, while Colac provides the nearest comprehensive range of services including supermarkets, schools, and medical facilities. There is no public transport, and life here is centred on the land and the remarkable natural environment.

Carlisle River falls under postcode 3239 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

Nearby Suburbs

• Chapple Vale, VIC 3239
• Gellibrand, VIC 3239
• Kennedys Creek, VIC 3239
• Buckley, VIC 3240
• Gherang, VIC 3240
• Glenaire, VIC 3238