The Wimmera River at Jeparit ca 1950

Jeparit Vic 3423 (Pop 500)

Jeparit is a pretty Wimmera River settlement located 386 km n-w of Melbourne. This important wheatbelt service township is also the birthplace (1894) of Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies (1939-41 & 1949-66). Following occupation by the Wotjobaluk Aborigines who named the area meaning ‘home of small birds’, many German immigrants settled the area in 1880s substituting grazing lands for wheat farms.Wheat, wool & grains remain important industries today. Lake Hindmarsh (5 km n-w) is Victoria’s largest freshwater lake popular for watersports. Wyperfeld NP (60 km n-w) ideal for bushwalking, birdwatching & nature studies. Beach Carnival (Jan), Agricultural Show (Oct).

Accommodation:
Jeparit has a couple of hotels & caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Wimmera-Mallee Pioneer Museum, Dimboola Rd. Tel (03) 5397 2102.