Lake Victoria Park

Shepparton (including Mooroopna)
Major rural centre in the Goulburn Valley
Shepparton (population 28 000) is the major centre of the Goulburn Valley and the headquarters of the Goulburn Valley irrigation system. It is located 179 km north of Melbourne on the Goulburn Valley Highway and 113 metres above sea-level. Mooroopna (population 5260) is separated from Shepparton by the river and a large tract of flood-prone forest and joined by a causeway. The surrounding area produces a substantial proportion of the state's agricultural output, particularly fruit, vegetables, cereals and milk products. Local industry includes two enormous fruit canneries (SPC and Ardmona), Campbell's Soups, a foundry and a woollen mill.

The area is thought to have been inhabited by the Yota-Yota people prior to white settlement. The first Europeans to venture onto the townsite were Joseph Hawdon and Charles Bonney who camped here by the Goulburn River while overlanding cattle from Albury to Adelaide in 1838 (the site is commemorated by a memorial in Sobraon St).

In 1843 Sherbourne Sheppard took up the Tallygaroopna run on which the town later developed. The settlement was initially known as Macguire's after the man who established a punt service on the Goulburn for the diggers headed to the goldfields. Naturally he added an inn to lighten their pockets before the crossing. The name had been changed to Sheppardtown by 1855 when the first survey was conducted.

The village became a stopover for the paddlesteamer service which travelled along the Goulburn River to Echuca on the Murray River. Agriculture also developed at this time. Nonetheless there were only 30 recorded residents and a half-dozen buildings in 1871. Mooroopna was then the more important of the two settlements as its punt service attracted more custom from travelling diggers. A private township was established there in 1874. However, Shepparton developed rapidly with the arrival of the railway in 1880.

Royal Mail Hotel and Quality animal feed silos, Mooroopna

The Furphy foundry was opened by John Furphy in 1878. It was here that the famous Furphy water-cart was manufactured.

A major expansion of agricultural production and of the local population occurred after 1912 when irrigation really got under way with water from Lake Nagambie. Dairies and orchards proliferated after World War I, engendering a period of rapid growth. This led to the development of subsidiary industries such as milk processing, fruit packing and canning. Thus, in 1917, the Shepparton Preserving Company (SPC) was formed. Today it is one of the world's largest fruit canneries. Another major player is the Ardmona cannery in Mooroopna which opened in the 1920s. Shepparton became a borough in 1927 and a city in 1949.

Cleckheaton Woollen Mill was established in 1948 in a transfer of operations from Leeds in England and Campbell's Soups opened its factory in 1962.

Naturally the town's festivals revolve largely around food. They include International Dairy Week in January, Mooroopna Fruit Salad Day in February, the Arts Festival in March, the Goulburn Valley Vintage Festival (a celebration of food and wine) on the third Sunday in March, and the Agricultural Show in October.

The Goulburn and Broken River systems around town furnish good fishing opportunities.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The Greater Shepparton Information Centre is located by Victoria Lake, at the corner of Fitzjohn St and Wyndham St. It is open daily, tel: (03) 5831 4400 or free-call (1800) 808 839.

Victoria Park Lake
The Information Centre is situated next to the lake which was constructed in the 1920s on land that was once swamp. Boating and swimming are popular and there is an island in the middle occupied by native birds. The western shore is flanked by Tom Collins Drive which has some lovely picnic spots. It runs between Welsford St and Fitzjohn St.

The Shepparton Family Museum

Shepparton Museum and Historic Precinct
The local museum is really very good. There are displays relating to local industry, clothing, transport, communications, shopping and local agriculture. The building also houses the 19th-century four-faced post office clock which is still in working order. It is open from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m on those Sundays which fall on even-numbered days, or by appointment, tel: (03) 5831 2317. The museum is located in the former public hall (1873) at the corner of Welsford and High Sts. There is a small entry fee.

Adjacent is the 'Historic Precinct' by the Goulburn River where you can see an Aboriginal canoe tree (bearing the scars where the bark was removed for the construction of a canoe), the remains of a wharf (1880) from the paddlesteamer days and the site of the punt around which the town grew.

Shepparton Art Gallery
The art gallery has a strong ceramics display ranging from the colonial era to the present. An annual ceramics award attracts international submissions which are on display from late January to the end of March. There are also some Australian modernist paintings and a few items from the Heidelberg school. It is located in the Civic Centre at 70 Welsford St (near the Nixon St roundabout) and is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on weekends and public holidays from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5832 9861.

Lookout Tower
A telecommunications post in the mall, at the centre of town, is a handy lookout tower offering fine views over the town - provided you can manage the 160 steps.

Forest Tracks
Shepparton is separated from Mooroopna by the Goulburn River and a large section of riverside forest which floods every year. A walking track starts from the highway and cuts through the forest to Mooroopna. There are also driving tracks and a bikeway.

The Connection
The Connection is essentially a rest and refreshment facility on the Midland Highway between Mooroopna and Shepparton. It is about to open a remarkable childrens' play area the size of the MCG, created with a $100 000 donation from Ardmona Fruits. What is more remarkable is that there is no entry fee. Toad Hollow Gift Shop also operates on the premises.

An irrigation channel between Shepparton and Echuca

SPC
The Shepparton Preserving Company (SPC), established in 1917 after the arrival of irrigation, is one of Australia's best-known brands of canned fruit and the Shepparton complex features one of the world's largest fruit canneries. It employs some 1500 people in season (400 out of season) and produces around half a million cans a day. It accounts for around 40% of the country's tinned fruit and exports to 60 foreign countries (especially Canada). Half-hour tours are conducted between January and April although they may operate all year round as of 1999. A cafe will open within the factory sales outlet as of November 1998. SPC is located off Andrew Fairley Ave, tel: (03) 5833 3777.

The Furphy Foundry
The famous blacksmith and wheelwright, John Furphy, came to Shepparton in 1873 and by 1878 he had established a foundry in the town. By 1880 he was manufacturing water carts which became hugely popular around the country. Such was their popularity that when war broke out in 1914 they were ordered in large numbers by the Australian Army and were used in camps where the local water supply was unreliable. It is said that the word 'furphy', meaning a rumour or tall tale, came into existence because soldiers used to gather around the water supply and it was there that rumours were shared and spread.

John Furphy was joined in Shepparton by his more famous brother Joseph. Joseph had been a farmer in the Riverina but had been bankrupted by a drought. He worked with his brother for 21 years and it was during this time that he wrote the great Australian novel, Such is Life. The novel was published under the pseudonym 'Tom Collins'. Today the Furphy family still own the foundry. It is located on Drummond Rd. Part of the foundry is a museum with an excellent range of old equipment as well as photographs and important history about the Furphy family. If you're lucky you may be able to see the pouring of molten metal through a viewing window. It is open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Aboriginal Keeping Place
The Aboriginal Keeping Place features an interesting display relating to Aboriginal culture and history. There are traditional and contemporary artefacts, didjeridu demonstrations, hand-carved emu eggs, saleable items and a cultural officer to explain local history from an Aboriginal perspective. It is worth seeing, it is free, it is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and it is located in Parkside Drive (signposted off the highway). There are well-maintained garden areas and free barbecues.

Reedy Swamp Walk
Reedy Swamp Walk meanders through a wetland area rich in birdlife. It starts from the end of Wanganui Rd.

Emerald Bank Heritage Farm
Emerald Bank Heritage Farm offers the chance to see farming practices from the days before high-tech. There is a blacksmith at work, a working dairy, an animal nursery and vintage farm machinery. You can inspect the old farm building, try milking a cow and feed the animals. There are demonstrations relating to irrigation, salinity and land management. It is located on Melbourne Rd at Kialla, tel: (03) 5823 2500.

Belstack Strawberry Farm
Belstack Tourism Complex and Strawberry Farm is located on Bennetts Rd at Kialla West just to the south of Shepparton along the highway. You can pick your own berries (not just strawberries), and there are farm tours, river walks, a small orchard and a theatre-restaurant. In November it hosts the Kialla West Strawberry Festival. Otherwise it is open daily from September to May or by appointment, tel: (03) 5823 1324.

	Tourist Information
	Greater Shepparton Information Centre 534 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 4400, 1800 808 839
	Motels
	Apex Motel Goulburn Valley Hwy P.O. Box 724 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4472 Rating: ***
	Belltower Motor Inn 587 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 8755 Rating: ****
	Big Valley Motor Inn 564 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3666 Rating: ****
	Country Home Motor Inn 11 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 7711 Rating: ***
	Four Corners Motel Goulburn Valley Hwy P.O. Box 270 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5829 9404 Rating: **
	Maudes on the Green Motel Golf Dve Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 2155 Rating: ***
	Overlander Motel/Hotel 97 Benalla Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5622 Rating: ****
	Paradise Lakes Motel Melbourne Rd Shepparton South 3631 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5823 1888 Facsimile: (03) 5823 1819 Rating: ****
	Parklake Motor Inn 481 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5822 Rating: ****
	Peppermill Inn Motel/Hotel Goulburn Valley Hwy P.O. Box 1102 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5823 1800 Rating: ***
	Shepparton Motel Benalla Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3866 Rating: ***
	Sherbourne Terrace Motel/Hotel 109 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4977 Rating: ****
	The Bel-Air Motor Inn 630 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4833 Rating: ***
	Tirana Motor Inn 33 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 1766 Rating: ****
	Tudor House Motor Inn 64 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 8411 Rating: ***
	Ye Old Motel 58 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 2355 Rating: ****
	Wyndhamere Motel Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3088 Rating: ****
	Lake View Motor Inn 505 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3355 Rating: ****
	Pines Country Club Motor Inn 103 Numurkah Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 2044 Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Goulburn Valley Hotel High St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 9822
	Hotel Australia Fryers St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4011
	Pine Lodge Hotel Benalla Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5829 2382
	Shepparton Hotel Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 9219
	Terminus Hotel 212 High St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 2147 Rating: **
	Victoria Hotel Cnr Wyndham & Fryers Sts Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 9955 Rating: **
	Cottages & Cabins
	Litande Cottage RMB 1230 Boundary Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5829 2378 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Four Corners Caravan Park Goulburn Valley Hwy P.O. Box 270 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5829 9404 Rating: **
	Shepparton Parklands Motor Village Goulburn Valley Hwy Kialla 3631 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5823 1576 Rating: ***
	Shepparton Riverview Caravan Park Melbourne Rd Shepparton South 3631 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5823 1561 Rating: ***
	Pine Lodge Caravan Park Cnr Midland Hwy & Orrvale Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5829 2396 Rating: ****
	Strayleaves Caravan Park Cnr Mitchell St & Old Dookie Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 1232 Rating: ***
	Victoria Lake Caravan Park Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5431 or 019 424 431 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Apex Motel Goulburn Valley Hwy P.O. Box 724 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4472
	Balkonies Family Restaurant Maude St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 3144
	Big Valley Motor Inn 564 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3666
	Boscos Italian Ristorante Bar & Grill High St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 5858
	Cellar 47 High St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 1882
	Chantelles Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3666
	Club Rawhide Restaurant Fine Food Centre Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 2230
	Emily Jane Licensed Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5822
	Hotel Australia Fryers St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4011
	Inky's Coffee Lounge Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 6947
	Maguires Bistro Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4977
	Maudes Coffee Shop Maude St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5422
	New China Restaurant Fryers St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 1166
	Oriental Garden Chinese Restaurant Corio St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 8019
	Overlander Motel/Hotel 97 Benalla Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5622
	Parklake Motor Inn 481 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 5822
	Peking City Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 6868
	Peppermill Inn Motel/Hotel Goulburn Valley Hwy P.O. Box 1102 Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5823 1800
	Pines Country Club Motor Inn 103 Numurkah Rd Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 2044
	Sebastian Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3088
	Shepparton Family Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3737
	Sherbourne Terrace Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4977
	Sing Li Chinese Take Away Shop 5 Safeway Plaza Shopping Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 3037
	Spaghetti Hollow Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 0771
	Star Bowl Restaurant Fryers St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 8102
	Taco Bill Mexican Restaurant Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5822 1322
	Terminus Hotel 212 High St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 2147
	The Bel-Air Motor Inn 630 Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 4833
	Victoria Hotel Cnr Wyndham & Fryers Sts Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 9955
	Wyndhamere Motel Wyndham St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5821 3088
	Cafés
	Alfresco's Cafe High St Shepparton VIC 3630 Telephone: (03) 5831 7500