The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the West Wimmera Shire Region
The West Wimmera Shire council area is about four and a half hours drive west of Melbourne. The main townships are Edenhope and Kaniva with smaller rural areas including Harrow, Goroke, Serviceton and Apsley.
The shire is very large and includes parts of the Little Desert National Park plus over two thousand natural wetlands. The population is only 4250.
Two national highways, the Western Highway and the Wimmera Highways, cross the region.
A map of the region is:
Some of the best activities for families in the region are:
Apsley
Newlands Nature Walking Trail is a 5 km bushland walk linking the township of Apsley to the picturesque Newlands Lake. Also check out the largest flowering gum in the southern hemisphere which is located in Wallace street, just past the local Post Office.
A short drive south of Apsley is Dergholm State Park which is the location of Bailey's Rocks which are a series of enormous and unusual green-coloured granite boulders in a dry creek. There is also a lovely picnic ground with a BBQ in a natural bushland setting.
Keep your eyes open for the Little Willow Farm Sculptures in the paddocks 15km north of Apsley on the road to Bringalbert.
Apsley Golf Course is an 18 hole regarded as one of the prettiest courses around.
Edenhope
Edenhope sits next to Lake Wallace which was named after William Wallace who became the first white man to see it in 1843.
The Henley-on-Lake Wallace Regatta and associated carnival and street procession is held on the second weekend in February.
Lake Wallace provides swimming, fishing (for redfin and trout) and sailing activities when the water level is high and there is also a 5.5km walk around the perimeter of the lake.
Drop into the Edenhope Information Centre which is housed at the former Court House (circa 1878) where the Magistrate's Bench, Prisoners Dock, the Pews and the Public Gallery have been preserved. Diagonally opposite is the Back Swamp which is the habitat of abundant bird life.
The best playground in town is the Lions Park playground in Orme Street.
There is a skate park here also.
During the warmer weather, cool off at the Edenhope Swimming Pool.
Edenhope Golf Course is an 18 hole course set in a natural bushland setting with abundant flora and fauna throughout the course.
Red Tail Gallery is a local art gallery which is manned by volunteers.
Goroke
Goroke has a seasonal solar heated 25m outdoor pool with a toddlers pool.
Goroke Golf Course is an 18 hole sand scrape and is a winter course.
Harrow
Harrow is located beside the Glenelg River and the town lays claim to the title of Victoria's oldest inland township.
The Harrow Discovery Centre and Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre is a very interesting and engaging place which tells the story of Australia's first Aboriginal cricket team to tour England in 1868. An exhibition space hosts regular exhibitions and entrance is free to the centre.
Take a stroll along the Glenelg River Walk which provides plenty of birdwatching opportunities.
Explore the old log jail and other buildings dating back to the 1840's at Gardner Park on the edge of town.
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Harrow Golf Course is a picturesque course with 18 white sand scrapes and huge old red gums lining the fairways.
Kaniva
The Lions Club Fauna and Wetlands Park has a variety of animals and birds and picnic tables, BBQs and toilets are on site. There is also an interesting walk around the surrounding wetlands area.
Have some fun seeking out the Kaniva Sheep Art which is a flock of brightly painted sheep scattered around town.
There are some interesting Kaniva Town Walks with historical, bird, flora and other themes. For a longer walk, especially in Spring when the orchids and wildflowers are in flower, try the Billy Ho Bush Walk which is about 3 km return in length.
For the budding historians, the Kaniva Historical Museum has farming relics and historical items.
The Kaniva Swimming Pool is a seasonal solar heated 25m outdoor pool with a wading pool to cater for younger children.
There is a skate park and BMX track at the recreation reserve.
Kaniva Golf Course is an 18 hole grass greens course set in natural bushland and open over the winter period.
There is an Aboriginal Canoe Tree from which Indigenous inhabitants dug out a canoe in the town.
Pop in to the Kaniva Visitor Information Centre which houses local artworks as well as the Kaniva Footwear Collection which displays many shoes worn by famous Australians including Slim Dusty, ex Prime Minister Malcolm Frazer and local celebrities including footballers Glen Hawker and Roger Merrett. You can even get some local tourist information there!
Serviceton
Serviceton Railway Station Museum presents displays of local and railway memorabilia. Tours of the fourteen main rooms (including a dungeon) are available by arrangement.
Serviceton Golf Course is an 18 hole sand scrape which is open during the winter months. At the 18th hole the fairway follows the South Australia border, and here you can hit balls out of bounds which will go interstate.
Other areas
Big Desert Wilderness Park is a very isolated area with no tracks into the park and provides the opportunity to walk through a true wilderness area.
Lake Bringalbert is an idyllic spot set amongst the West Wimmera redgums with free camping for tents or caravans.
Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the West Wimmera Shire council region are here:
Web Links
→ www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au
