Cohuna
Cohuna situated on the Murray Valley Highway between Echuca and Kerang is a bustling township with a strong commercial centre. The picturesque main street is situated opposite the Gunbower Creek (which forms Gunbower Island) providing an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch in the park.
Cohuna has a strong dairy industry on the riverine plains and supports related industries including Northern Herd Development, Automated Water Management Australia, Mawsons Concrete and Quarry Products, Ellwaste and Archards Irrigation. Cohuna is renowned Australia wide as a producer of advanced irrigation components.
With the Murray River only a stone’s throw away Cohuna caters for fishing , camping, bushwalking and conservationists. The Gunbower forest provides a fantastic natural bush setting for thousands of campers annually. Water skiing is also popular on the Gunbower Creek with a highlight being the Victorian Barefoot Waterski Championships.
For accommodation visitors will receive a warm welcome from the motel, caravan park or hotel/motel all located close to shops and other facilities.
Kangaroo Lake / Mystic Park
Kangaroo Lake is most famous for Gorton Drive named after former Australian Prime Minister Sir John Gorton who was born at Kangaroo Lake in 1911.
Kangaroo lake is also home to Brown Brothers Vineyards and developments of stone fruit and table grapes.
The Lake is a popular spot for fishing and water-sports with the caravan park right on the lake foreshore.
Nearby Mystic Park has a friendly country hotel and is a perfect spot to socialise during your water based holiday.
Koondrook
Koondrook on the Murray River is recognised as Australia’s production centre for quality redgum timber and furniture.
Arbuthnot Sawmills have been supplying furniture grade timber from the nearby Gunbower State Forest for over 100 years. Koondrook’s redgum craftsmen produce outstanding furniture from this special Australian timber.
Koondrook is also home to Border Packers, who supply quality citrus products to the local and export markets. Visit the packing shed and sample the fresh produce.
Local farm enterprises include dairy, beef, citrus, walnuts, lambs and grain.
In Koondrook visitors should also take time to enjoy the “Historic Walk” of the town and reflect on a time when the paddlesteamers and steam trains were a common mode of transport.
Camping, fishing, boating and sightseeing will keep the visitor entertained in Koondrook. Native fish such as Murray Cod and Yellowbelly are common catches in the Murray River. Best baits include worms, yabbies, shrimp and bardie grubs.
Lake Charm
Lake Charm is situated on the Murray Valley highway 16km north of Kerang. The lake is a haven for watersports including swimming water skiing, fishing and sailing. Tourists are well catered for with two modern Caravan Parks on the lake foreshore.
The small town ship is surrounded by a mixed farming community.
Lalbert
Lalbert was named in 1863 by Major Mitchell, and comes from the Aboriginal name for creeper that grows on Mallee trees.
Lalbert is in the heart of the Mallee wheat growing area, which is renowned for its crops of wheat, barley, oats, canola and legumes. The golden grains of this mallee town supply feed to the dairy industry and provide quality grains for the milling industry and export markets.
Situated 50kms west of Kerang, Lalbert is a mallee town with a strong sense of community. The town features a general store, hotel, school, hall and recreation reserve, and is a major grain receiving centre.
Lake Lalbert only kilometres from town is a flood filled lake and a significant environmental show-piece.
Leitchville
Leitchville is known as the Community of Unity. Leitchville’s community spirit has been evident in the towns triumph in forming a community bank and rural transaction centre.
The town and district were named following the death of Duncan Leitch, manager of Gunbower Station in 1888. The area became a gazetted township in 1929.
Leitchville is the centre of Gannawarra’s dairy industry and home to the Murray Goulburn cheese factory. The dairy industry is the backbone of the Gannawarra economy and the factory at Leitchville is set to expand by around 75%, ensuring the Leitchville area remains one of Victoria’s strongest dairy centres. The Murray River is only a short drive from the towns centre and is a popular spot for fishing and camping.
Other agricultural enterprises include pork production and production of hay and stockfeed products.
Murrabit
Murrabit is a small country town which comes to life at dawn on the first Saturday of each month when it hosts the Murrabit Market.
The market is one of Victoria’s largest country markets and attracts more than 300 site holders from across the State. Wares on display include art and craft, fresh produce, clothing, plants, bric-a-brac and much, much more. The market is a local initiative and is managed by the Murrabit Advancement Committee.
Located on the Murray River guarantees Murrabit the annual influx of fishermen and campers in search of the elusive Murray Cod. The waters of the Murray also provide irrigation water to a flourishing dairy industry throughout the area.
Agriculture is important to the town with, citrus, rice, beef, lambs and an olive nursery making up the diversity of Murrabit.
Quambatook
Quambatook is situated on the Avoca River and was originally settled when the gold fever of the 1850s subdued, and a large number of men were faced with a way to make a living. The Government of the 1870s introduced land laws to resume part of the squatters’ territory. The following years saw Quambatook emerge as one of Victoria’s flourishing wheat and sheep areas. This trait is still alive and well with tonnes of grain produced annually.
While in Quambatook you can choose to stay at either the caravan park or local hotel. The well known country music artist John Willliamson was born in Quambatook and lived there till his late teens. The local community has compiled a fantastic collection of John Williamson memorabilia in a renovated shop in the main street.
Quambatook is home to the famous Tractor Pull held every Easter Saturday, and is commonly known as Australia’s Tractor Pulling capital.
