Yarram
Also known as Yarraam (formerly Yarram Yarram), is an isolated town in Victoria, Australia, in the Shire of Wellington, located in the southeast of Gippsland. The term ‘Yarram Yarram’ is thought to be an aboriginal phrase meaning ‘plenty of water,’ however it is not known which language group the name is taken from. The 2006 census, found that Yarram had a population of 2106, which has remained constant for the last few decades. The town is the regional centre for a prosperous farming district, has a vibrant community, which remains particularly dedicated to a strong sporting culture. The town is located about two hours from Wilsons Promontory. Nearby towns include Welshpool, Alberton and Foster.
This established South Gippsland town,& 225km by road from Melbourne,& has some interesting original buildings and a pleasant golf course inhabited by relatively tame kangaroos. In town during Easter: Tarra Festival. Nov: Seabank Fishing Contest.
History
The historic South Gippsland Creamery and Butter Factory, Yarram
The traditional owners of the land Yarram now rests on, are the Kurnai (Gurnai)people, which was made up of 5 major clans, or language groups. The Kurnai resisted the invasion of their lands, and sustained heavy casualties as a result.
Being close to one of the first Victorian trade ports, Port Albert, the town grew quickly after settlement, as a result of the rich dairy country that supplies milk products to Australia, and to the timber industry.
In 1841 the site, originally a low-lying swamp, was chosen by a Scottish clan leader, Aeneas Ronaldson MacDonnell, who, with his fellow Scots, attempted to set up a feudal-style court. However, the experiment folded and he subsequently moved to New Zealand.
The Post Office opened on 1 February 1861 as Yarram Yarram and was renamed Yarram in about 1925. The railway arrived in 1921; the line between Welshpool and Leongatha was closed in October 1987.
The town today
Yarram is known for its proximity to Ninety Mile Beach, Port Albert, neighbouring Tarra-Bulga National Park and heritage architecture in its Main Street, including the historic Regent Theatre. It has a well known local bakery, which has won the Great Australian Meat Pie competition for several years running.
The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Alberton Football League. Yarram is the home of several former AFL footballers, includingRoyce Vardy and Anthony Banik (Richmond Tigers) and Andrew Dunkley (Sydney Swans).
Golfers play at the course of the Yarram Golf Club on Old Sale Road.
Yarram hosts an anuual eisteddfod every August showcasing the area’s artistic talents in music, speech and drama.
Yarram railway station
Yarram Railway Station
Yarram was a railway station on the Woodside railway line. The railway opened to Yarram on 8 February, 1921. After the 1940′s it was the only station on the Woodside line to remain open, effectively making it the terminus station of the South Gippsland line. It closed during the late 1980′s, along withAlberton and Welshpool stations.
Yarram station’s Goods Shed has now been converted into a youth crime centre.
The station closed to passenger service, when the new V/Line deal came in 1981. Steamrail ran K153 to Yarram as a last steam train tour in 1982. The freight service closed in 1987, to Yarram, six years after passenger services were ceased. The line limit was to Welshpool after 1987. The track from Barry Beach Junction – Yarram was removed a few years before the track was removed from Leongatha – Welshpool + Barry Beach in 1994.
Mount Worth State Park
Things to Do
- Walking, picnicking, sightseeing and nature study are the most popular activities.
- The Giant’s Circuit walk follows an old tramline route along Lorkin Creek to the Standing Giant, a huge Mountain Ash seven metres in circumference and probably more than 300 years old. The track continues through giant tree ferns and back to the car park – a total distance of 1.8 km.
- Other walking tracks lead to old sawmill sites where sawdust heaps and other relics can be seen. The Moonlight Creek Track has gentle grades for the first kilometre and is suitable for people with limited mobility.
- Two lookouts on McDonald’s Track give panoramic views over the Latrobe River valley, the Great Dividing Range and Westernport Bay.
- The Lyrebird Forest Walk. The Superb Lyrebird is often seen in patches of dense scrub along this track. More information about the Lyrebird Forest Walk.
Facilities
- Moonlight Creek picnic area has toilets (with access for people with limited mobility), picnic tables, fireplaces, information and car parking.
- Camping in Mount Worth State Park is not permitted but you can camp south of the park in the Tarwin River Reserve.
- There are hotels, motels and caravan parks in nearby towns.
- Farm accommodation is available at Yarragon and Allambee.
- Baby change facilities
Heritage
Although there is no definite evidence of Aboriginal tribes frequenting the area, it is believed that the Briaikalung and Bunerong tribes of Gippsland may have occasionally used it for hunting and foraging at certain times of the year. Before European settlement, most of the area in the Park was tall wet Mountain Ash forest with dense fern gullies. This type of vegetation still flourishes along the creeks. Logging in the 1920s, 30s and 40s removed most of the mature trees, though understorey plants remained and young Mountain Ash trees are regenerating along with Silver Wattles and Blackwood. From 1970, the Warragul Field Naturalists Club and the Shire of Warragul worked towards reserving this area to protect some of the remaining indigenous vegetation of the western Strzeleckis. In 1975 the State Government began purchasing land for the park.
Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria – including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Gunai – Kurnai identify the Mount Worth State Park as their Traditional Country.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria .
Fauna
Birdlife is abundant, 91 species being recorded to date. Among them Superb Lyrebirds, Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Olive Whistlers, Grey Butcherbirds, Tawny Frogmouths, Eastern Spinebills, Superb Blue Wrens, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, as well as the rare Sooty Owl and Powerful Owl.
Wombats, Swamp Wallabies, Echidnas, Sugar Gliders, Feathertail Gliders, Brush-tailed Possums, Ring-tailed Possums, bush rats, Brown Antechinuses and bandicoots are common. Koalas have been sighted and Platypuses and Eastern Water Rats swim in the creeks and dig burrows in the banks.
The Giant Gippsland Earthworm (Megascolides australis) inhabits certain areas of the Park but is never seen as it spends its entire life underground. Mount Worth State Park is the only area of protected public land where this rare and vulnerable invertebrate is known to occur and research into the species in the Park is currently being proposed.
Reptiles found include Copperhead, Red-bellied Black and Tiger Snakes, Blue-tongued Lizards and numerous skinks.
Looking After the Park
- Please take your rubbish with you.
- All plants, animals, natural features and historical relics are protected and must not be disturbed or removed.
- Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park.
- Firearms are prohibited.
- Light fires only in the fireplaces provided. No fires may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
- Avoid polluting streams with refuse, detergent or human waste.
- Vehicles must not be driven off roads or tracks. All vehicles must be fully road registered.
- Please keep to the walking tracks.
- Leave the park as you find it.
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