Kyabram
Is located in the centre of a rich irrigation district in the Goulburn River Valley, 200 kilometres north of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Kyabram, the second largest town in the Shire of Campaspe. is situated between the towns of Echuca and Shepparton and is close to the Murray River. As of the 2006 census the town had a population of 7108 people and provides services to a district population of around 16,000.
The township started in the 1870s with town blocks sold in 1876. Kyabram Post Office opened on 23 September 1878. Sheridan Post Office opened on 1 December 1884. On 8 April 1886, in anticipation of the arrival of the railway at what was then Sheridan, Kyabram was renamed Kyabram East and Sheridan was renamed Kyabram.
The name of the town is thought to derive from an Aboriginal word Kiambram meaning “Thick Forest”. The Bangarang people were the previous settlers in the Goulburn valley. The Kyabram Mechanics Institute was built in 1891.
John Allan, who lived in Kyabram from 1873, became Premier of Victoria in 1924 and Australia’s first Country Party premier. Allan was associated with the Kyabram Reform Movement at the start of the twentieth century, a political campaign which succeeded in reducing the number of state parliamentarians.
Kyabram was formally proclaimed a town on 4 July 1973.
The district is dependent on the primary industries of dairying and fruit orchards. Henry Jones IXL, a subsidiary of SPC Ardmona, operate a plant in the town, manufacturing IXL jams. The town provides engineering, financial advisors, solicitors and accounting services to the district. Nestlé (Tongala), Heinz (Girgarre) and Bonlac (Stanhope) all have food processing plants nearby.
Medical and aged care services in the town include a 46 bed hospital, a 30 bed home for the aged, infant welfare centre, ambulance station, several doctors, dentists and other health practitioners. In education Kyabram has one state secondary college, Kyabram Secondary College, two state primary schools (Dawes Rd PS and Haslem St PS), a Roman Catholic primary and secondary school (St Augustine’s), one kindergarten and the Kyabram Community & Learning Centre providing community services and adult learning opportunities for the people of Kyabram and the surrounding region. The local newspaper is called the Kyabram Free Press, a part of the McPherson media group in the region, with a circulation of roughly 3300 copies (Victorian Country Press Association 2008).
Surrounding smaller towns include Merrigum (pop. 490), Lancaster, Undera, Cooma, Wyuna, Kyvalley, Girgarre, Stanhope and Tongala.
Attractions include the Kyabram Fauna Park, a 55 hectare reserve housing five hundred species of wildlife. There are free-roaming kangaroos and emus and hides to observe a variety of water birds.
Sport
Popular sports in Kyabram include Australian rules football and cricket . Jim Higgs was a spin bowler from Kyabram who played for Australia during the late 1970′s. The local football team is known as the Bombers who compete in the Goulburn Valley Football League. Kyabram has produced a number of AFL recruits such as Brett Deledio and Kayne Pettifer, both at Richmond. Other players include former Melbourne & Victorian Captain Gary Lyon. Netball and Soccer are also Popular in Kyabram.
Golfers play at the course of the Kyabram Valley View Golf and Bowls Club on Curr Road, Mount Scobie.
Attractions:
Fauna Park
Bird Life
In 1967, public meetings were called in Kyabram to discuss how best to (develop or) utilise a large area of degraded farmland and public land, which had been used as an unofficial tip site for some 80 years. This land was within the Town of Kyabram boundaries. Some of the land was used to carry stormwater run-off, whilst the rest of the area had been left to fall into disrepair. The idea to develop a Wildlife Park was mooted at the public meetings and with general consensus, the Kyabram Fauna Park came into existence.
Located in the Goulburn Valley of northern Victoria, the Park covers some 55 hectares of open woodland, wetlands and lakes. Rehabilitation of degraded lands and re-vegetation programs for many areas of the Park have provided habitats that now attract over 140 species of native birds, animals and amphibians. Add 105 species of Australian animals, birds and reptiles, which form part of the Park’s permanent exhibits, and you have an outstanding and unique community project.
Tassie Devil
With almost a third of the Park’s 600 permanent specimens free ranging and the remaining specimens exhibited in spacious, modern enclosures, sited amongst garden beds and natural settings, the Park provides visitors with an exciting, memorable and entertaining experience.
The Park has the second largest collection of Australian Fauna in Victoria, including Koala, Alpine Dingoes, Owls, Snakes, Wombats, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, Cockatoos, Parrots, Waterfowl, Cranes, Finches, Lizards and many more. There is a large Walk Thru Aviary; Australia’s first energy efficient Reptile House, Wetland Viewing Hides and a Wetland Observation Tower.
An added attraction is the developing native flora display with over 250 species from native grasses to 250 year old Eucalypts. The Park is developing a fabulous conservation and educational flora resource, available to all visitors.
Tongala Caravan Park
Tonala Caravan Park
Come and join us at Tongala Caravan Park. We look forward to sharing our park with you. From here you can discover and enjoy Echuca and the Murray, Kyabram, Shepparton and surrounds. A quiet, off the highway park in a picturesque setting.
Our friendly family run park provides an excellent range of reasonably priced accommodation to suit your budget and requirements including ensuite cabins, holiday units, powered and unpowered sites and ensuite sites. Tongala Caravan Park offers shady sites in a relaxed setting. We have drive through sites available which can accommodate larger caravans and motor homes. Facilities include camp kitchen, BBQ, playground, recreation room, TV room, and swimming pool – perfect on a hot summer’s day.
Bird life is prolific adding to the tranquility of the park. Wake to the pleasant sounds of birds and the peaceful setting of the camping ground. Stroll around the park or have a dip in the swimming pool or just simply relax with a book under a shady tree.
Accommodations
Deluxe Cabin Room
Options for accommodation at Tongala Caravan Park are quite extensive, including 2 bedroom deluxe ensuite cabins, budget cabins and powered and camping sites.
The park offers some recreational facilities including swimming pool, games room, TV room and wireless internet access for those guests who bring a laptop.
Deluxe Cabin
Deluxe Cabin Room
Our deluxe cabins are large spacious 2-bedroom ensuite cabins.
Main bedroom contains a double bed, ceiling fan and clock radio. Second bedroom has double bed with single bunk over.
In the open-plan living area there is a sofa bed, table and chairs. Reverse cycle air conditioning, ceiling fan, LCD colour TV, Video and DVD.
The cabin is equipped with large refrigerator, 4 burner gas stove, microwave oven, electric kettle, toaster, saucepans, frying pan, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, iron, and ironing board.
Deluxe Cabin Room
A refreshment package of fresh milk, tea, coffee and sugar is provided.
Pillows and pillowslips are provided as well as linen for the main bed only.
The cabin has a covered veranda, outdoor setting, car parking is adjacent. All cabins are non-smoking.
Family Cabin
Our family cabins have separate double bed room containing a double bed and clock radio.
Triple bunk beds opposite ensuite bathroom and divan style sofa bed in open-plan living area.
The cabin is equipped with refrigerator, stove, microwave oven, electric kettle, toaster, saucepans, frypan, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, colour TV, table and chairs, and air conditioner.
Car park is provided adjacent to the cabin.
Pillows and pillowslips are provided as well as linen for the main bed only. Sheets, blankets and towels are not provided for the other beds.
Budget Cabin
Our budget cabin has a double bed, dining table, and lounge in an open plan living area.
The cabin is equipped with ensuite bathroom, refrigerator, stove, micro wave oven, electric kettle, toaster, saucepans, frypan, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, colour TV, DVD and video player, reverse cycle air conditioner.
One cabin is disabled friendly with twin king singles, other has a double bed and bunks for the small family unit other is just double all are 5mt x 5mt open plan with ensuite, they share a common verandah.
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