| Mortlake Victoria | |
|---|---|
  Mortlake | |
| Coordinates | 38°04′S 142°48′E / 38.067°S 142.800°E |
| Population | 1,372 (2016 census)[1] |
| Established | 1853 |
| Postcode(s) | 3272 |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Shire of Moyne |
| State electorate(s) | Polwarth |
| Federal division(s) | Wannon |
Mortlake is a town in the Western District of Victoria, Australia on the Hamilton Highway, 50 kilometres (31 mi) north-east of Warrnambool. It is in the Shire of Moyne local government area and the federal Division of Wannon. As per the 2001 census, Mortlake had a population of 941,[2] which rose to 996 in 2006,[3] and to 1,073 in 2011.[4]
Mortlake is situated at the foot of a dormant volcano, Mount Shadwell, formed 25,000 years ago. It is believed that it last erupted about 5,000 years ago.[5] Self-proclaimed as the olivine capital of Australia, large ejected rocks from Mt Shadwell are called volcanic bombs. They are often egg shaped because they cooled as they were being thrown through the air. These bombs can contain olivine, a green crystal also known as peridot, the birthstone for August. The town is also known for its bluestone buildings, with several fine examples dating back to the 1850s visible from the Hamilton Highway.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Mortlake (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Mortlake (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Mortlake (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Mortlake (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ Monroe, M.H. (27 March 2011). "Timeline of Last Known Eruptions of Known Australian Volcanoes". A biography of the Australian continent. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
