Located in the Goulburn River Valley, Kyabram is a regional Victorian town that thrives on the back of its dairy and orchard industries. It was originally home to the Yorta Yorta people before being settled by Europeans in the 1870s, with its name thought to derive from an Indigenous word meaning “thick forest”.
Things to do in Kyabram
On the southern edge of town is the Kyabram Fauna Park, which was established in 1976 as a sanctuary for native wildlife. In addition to echidnas, wombats and kangaroos, the park provides a home for Tasmanian devils, cassowaries and koalas, plus non-native meerkats. Within the park bounds is the 19th-century cottage of French adventure Theodore Hazleman, who settled in Kyabram to farm wheat.
Keen golfers can hit the fairways of the Kyabram Parkland Golf Course, which is nestled amidst mature trees and bushland. Its 18 holes provide a setting for the annual Victoria Par 3 Championships and the clubhouse hosts regular bingo nights. Near the centre of town is the Kyabram Recreation Reserve where you can watch the local footballers and cricketers in action.
Forming part of the Australian Silo Art Trail are a series of tanks owned by Goulburn Valley Water that have been beautifully painted by Jimmy DVate. Based in Melbourne, this contemporary artist has garnered a reputation for painting endangered local flora and fauna. The murals highlight the importance of Kyabram’s wetlands to native wildlife, with an eastern long-necked turtle, a red-capped robin and Major-Mitchell’s cockatoo depicted.
Getting around Kyabram
Kyabram is around 30 minutes’ drive from Shepparton and 2.5 hours from Melbourne. Melbourne Airport is just over two hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect to Kyabram and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.