| Cobram - Barooga | |
Location: | 250km north of Melbourne on the Murray Valley Highway |
Council: | Cobram - Shire of Cobram
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Population: | Cobram 3797
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Postcode: | 3644 |
Serving rich irrigated dairy and orchard country that was first settled in the 1840s, this Murray River town was established in 1887 to service the railway which arrived from Melbourne a year later. Just over the river, in New South Wales, is its satellite town of Barooga.
The area was the centre of a large soldier settlement scheme after World War II and the settlers established the Murray Goulburn Co-operative in 1949, now one of Victoria's largest milk factories. Cobram is also a major producer of peaches and the Peaches and Cream Festival over the Australia Day holiday is a major event.
The Murray River with its towering gums and sandy beaches is popular for swimming and for houseboat and paddle-steamer cruising. Other attractions include the Matata Deer Farm, both Tyrells Winery and Kramner Cellars offer tastings and cellar door sales, and at Barooga there is the Byham Boomerang Factory. The largest cactus farm in Australia, Spikes & Blooms, can be found at Strathmerton, 17km west.