This large country town sits between the Bass Highway and the Mersey River, the centre of a rich rural area. The first dwelling built on the town site was in 1836 and land sales took place some 20 years later.

It was named after Administrator Charles La Trobe, who was acting Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania for a few months (1846-7). When first named it was La Trobe but later changed to its present name.

An important port town, boats operated from Bells Parade until the Mersey River silted up.

ATTRACTIONS

Latrobe township takes a great deal of pride in its heritage restoration and nature preservation.

Warrawee Forest Reserve : An area managed by Latrobe LandCare Inc, is just 3 kms from the town. The reserve has a boardwalk in the process of being installed around the lake to enable it to be used by the disabled for fishing trout. The area generally is used for swimming, nature walks, bbq's, some camping etc.

Bell's Parade is home to "Sherwood Hall" - the home of the early pioneering couple Thomas Johnson and Dolly Dalrymple-Briggs.

Anvers Chocolates is located on the Bass Highway at Latrobe, and offers visitors the opportunity to tour the chocolate factory, as well as enjoy a relaxing walk admiring the lovely gardens, or just simply sampling a wide range of traditionally hand made chocolate products.