Kerang Vic 3579 (Pop 4 000)

Kerang is a Murray rural service/commercial township 279 km n-w of Melbourne. It sits on the Loddon River close to the NSW border and is renowned for its huge ibis numbers, with the world’s most populous ibis rookeries in its 50 lakes and lagoons, together with thousands of other waterbirds. Early squatter settlement began in 1840s and developed rapidly with the innovational irrigation practices of Woodfull Patchell whose various buildings began to constitute the early village of Kerang. Today dairying, agriculture & horticulture support Kerang. Jazz by the Lake (Jan), Woodworking Expo (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Lester Smith Lookout Tower, cnr Murray Valley Hwy & Shadforth St (1883) excellent town views & gemstone displays. Open (10.30am-5pm) daily. Kerang Historical Museum, Riverwood Dr housed in an old homestead has interesting displays of farm machinery & cars and information on town founder, Woodford Patchell. Open (1.30pm-4.30pm) weekends. Fishing in Lodden River (redfin, trout, cod) & Pyramid Creek (yellowbelly, redfin, carp).  

Nearby:
Reedy Lakes (8 km n-w) series of three lakes. At the first is the Apex Park Recreation Area. The second lake (Middle Lake) is a major ibis breeding ground and good fishing area. Lake Charm (19 km north) small settlement with the lake providing excellent watersports, boat ramps & other facilities. Other Lakes include Racecourse, Kangaroo, Meran for excellent freshwater fishing. Murrabit (27 km north) charming and picturesque riverside timber town with a great country market 1^st Sat each month. Leaghur State Park (25 km s-w) situated on the Lodden River is a 1 580 ha quiet park of beautiful blackbox trees many of which show scars of Aborginal canoe, shield & shelter building.

Accommodation:
Kerang has 3 motels, 5 hotels and 2 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 15 Murray St. Barham. Tel (03) 5453 3100 or 1800 621 882.