Boort
Small service town in the Mallee
Located 252 km north-west of Melbourne, in the Mallee region, this small town lies on the shores of Lake Boort where swans, ibis, pelicans and other birds can be observed.

Boort was the name given to the area's first station by its owners, Henry Godfrey and Thomas Bear, in 1843. The word supposedly means 'smoke' in the dialect of the local Aborigines. It reputedly referred to the means of communication used by Aborigines from nearby Bald Hill. Bald Hill, because of its prominent position, was used by the local Aborigines to send smoke messages.

The district was opened to more extensive settlement in the 1870s. The town was originally located on the southern shore of Little Lake Boort, but was shifted to its current location when the railway arrived in 1883.

The reserve beside the lake contains Aboriginal relics, as well as kangaroos, emus, and some introduced donkeys. Facilities for tennis, bowls, golf, boating and camping are provided.

A 27 000 tonne wheat silo reflects the district's economic focus, although barley, tomatoes, oats, lucerne, dairying, wool and lambs are also common.

Things to see:  

Attractions in the Area
Visitors should stop at Little Lake Boort which has a fauna park and is home to an interesting variety of birdlife. It is also good for fishing. Boort cemetery, located on the property of the original 1843 station, contains the graves of the early pioneers and is also worth a visit. 17 km south, at Mysia, a mud brick store dating from the late nineteenth century is still in business.

	Hotels
	Commercial Hotel Godfrey St Boort VIC 3537 Telephone: (03) 5455 2018
	Railway Hotel Godfrey St Boort VIC 3537 Telephone: (03) 5455 2025
	Caravan Parks
	Boort Lakes Caravan Park Durham Ox Rd Boort VIC 3537 Telephone: (03) 5455 2064 Rating: ***