Do you live in one of Australia’s most oddly named towns?

March 6, 2026 — 3:00pm

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

Save this article for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.

Victoria was ablaze this summer. We fought fires from Walwa to Ruffy, from Carlisle River to Wonnangatta Valley. As a radio host, I know the names by heart, the traps of pronunciation. Who knew Colac Colac near Corryong is “Clack-Clack” to locals?

Yet one name shone through the smoke. Less a town than a smudge near Dargo called Peter the Swede. That’s right – Peter the Swede. Who was he, asked the audience. A bushranger? A meatball chef? ABC’s Landline journo, Tim Lee, sent me Placenames Australia, a quarterly devoted to the stories behind our toponyms, issued by our National Placenames Survey.

First, don’t expect much hospitality from Peter the Swede, let alone houses.........

© Brisbane Times