Nestled in the rugged Victorian bushland, the remote outpost of Licola boasts just five residents. This quaint settlement features a handful of weatherboard structures, a general store, a caravan park, and a petrol station clustered along a simple main street. As one of Australia’s tiniest towns, Licola sits a three-hour drive from Melbourne and now stands on the market for several million dollars, sparking outrage among its close-knit community.
A Vital Stop in the High Country
Licola has served as an essential rest point for travelers heading to the Alpine National Park, offering fuel, food, and respite. The town also maintains a 50-year tradition of supporting outreach programs for disadvantaged youth. Privately managed by a local Lions Club branch, the site has faced mounting financial pressures, leading to its quiet listing for sale online late last year.
The decision has alarmed Licola’s dedicated residents, nearby communities, and fellow Lions Club members across Victoria, who claim insufficient consultation and express deep concerns for the town’s survival.
From Timber Mill to Community Haven
Situated along the Macalister River in Victoria’s high country, Licola began as a timber mill in the 1950s, complete with basic worker housing. When operations ceased in 1968, the Lions Club took over the property and transformed it into a camp for underprivileged children, those with special needs, and school holiday groups. Nearby, the club acquired additional land that now houses the general store and caravan park.
Today, Leanne O’Donnell and her family represent the sole full-time inhabitants, sharing the town with her best friend and their children. O’Donnell, who operates the general store, describes the location as “an amazing place.” She recalls initial skepticism from visitors who doubted her business prospects, responding that financial gain was never her goal.
O’Donnell acquired the business in 2022 under a lease she expected to extend to 15 years, though she does not own the buildings. From the start, she aimed to create a welcoming “home away from home.” Nearly everyone who visits, works, or travels through Licola relies on her contact information, including truck drivers and emergency responders. “I’m the main point of contact for them, regardless of whether it’s three in the afternoon or two in the morning,” she explains.
Facing Eviction and Uncertainty
Deeply committed to Licola and its surrounding area, O’Donnell now confronts potential eviction. “I absolutely love this town… if it gets into the hands of a developer and turns into something that it’s not, it will just break my heart,” she says.
O’Donnell learned of the sale in January 2025 from the Lions Village Licola board, which oversees the property for the charity. The board cited years of operating losses, prompting her offer to organize fundraisers and rally community support. However, the board remained firm. When she questioned the impact on her business, they clarified ownership of the land and buildings, instructing her to vacate.
Legal advice confirmed the board’s authority under her lease agreement. “In the real world, I could take my business and put it in another building… that’s not a problem at all anywhere else except for Licola,” O’Donnell notes. With no alternative location nearby, relocation proves impossible.
By December, an online listing emerged with a price range of A$6 million to A$10 million (about £3 million to £5 million). The announcement ignited widespread backlash on social media from local residents, who decry the treatment of O’Donnell and fear the town’s decline or over-commercialization.
Community Outcry and Petition Drive
Comments on the Licola Caravan Park & General Store’s Facebook page highlight the store’s importance. One user calls its potential closure during peak season “stupidity at its best,” while another emphasizes its role for long-time campers. A third laments that past Lions leaders would be appalled.
Victorian Lions members have written to the board, criticizing the lack of due process and broader consultation. An online petition urging the store’s preservation and O’Donnell’s lease renewal has garnered over 8,000 signatures.
As tensions escalated, the board reported threats to its staff and considered withdrawing personnel from the site. In a statement, a spokesperson explained that a comprehensive operational review, shared with Lions members in Victoria, revealed unsustainable finances due to rising costs, insurance premiums, aging facilities, and falling camp attendance. “The decision to sell was not made lightly,” the statement asserts.
Board’s Rationale and Future Plans
Chairman Denis Carruthers emphasizes the board’s duty to safeguard the Lions Village mission of aiding disadvantaged youth, beyond maintaining the physical site. “The Lions District Governors have been briefed and are supportive,” he states.
The board noted that O’Donnell’s lease was not renewed to streamline revenue amid financial difficulties, with a departure deadline of January 31. Sale proceeds and future business earnings will fund a new foundation supporting professional youth camps throughout Victoria. Carruthers adds that while future programs in Licola remain uncertain—a planned January camp was canceled due to low enrollment—strong buyer interest persists.
The prospective owners and their vision for the town stay unknown, leaving the fate of this cherished outpost in limbo.
