Holbrook

In 1840, Johann Christopher Pabst, a German shepherd, was granted the licence of the Woolpack Inn. Travellers passing through the area referred to the hotel as 'The Germans' or 'John the German’s'. The township of Germanton was gazetted in 1876.

Holbrook’s unique link with submarines began during World War I when town leaders decided Germanton was no longer an appropriate town name. About that time, Lieutenant Norman Holbrook’s name hit world headlines for a daring underwater submarine raid. Councillor John Ross’s suggestion that Holbrook be a fitting name for the town was greeted with great enthusiasm and the first meeting of the newly named Holbrook Shire Council took place in August 1915. During the years following the name change, Commander Holbrook made a number of visits to the town before his death in 1976.

In 1995 the Navy gifted Holbrook the fin of the decommissioned HMAS Otway. Located nearby is a one fifth scale model of a World War I B11 Submarine, a statue commemorating Commander Holbrook, a life size Mark Viii Torpedo, Duck’s Arse and a replica of the AE2, an Australian submarine from WWI.

Holbrook offers ample parking, EV charging and petrol stations, supermarkets and excellent eateries, antique and craft shops as well as interesting museums. Excellent sporting facilities, an equine centre, racecourse, indoor sporting complex, golf, bowls, skate park and swimming facilities.