Foster
Postcode: 3960
Foster ( 38°39’S, 146°12’E) is a dairying and grazing town 169 kilometres south-east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway in Victoria, Australia. It is about 20 kilometres north of the Gippsland coastline which includes Shallow Inlet, Corner Inlet, Waratah Bay, Yanakie and Wilsons Promontory.
Foster has over 1,000 residents, one hotel and several dining options. Because of the scenic beauty of the surrounding area, and its proximity to Wilsons Promontory and mountain areas inland, Foster is a popular destination for international visitors as well as Melbourne residents. In summer, the town’s size can increase by as much as 250% due to tourism.
The football club is the Foster Tigers and are part of the Alberton Football League. Foster has markets in November to April.
Originally called Stockyard Creek, after the stream which still flows through the centre of the town, Foster was initially nothing more than a resting place for drovers traveling from Port Albert to Western Port. However this all changed with the discovery of gold in the 1880’s leading to a (modest) gold rush. After the gold ran out, Foster became a service centre of the burgeoning South Gippsland dairy industry. Today it is a thriving town that links Wilsons Promotory with the rest of Victoria.
The Great Southern Rail Trail links Foster to Leongatha, and is used by horse riders, cyclists and walkers.