Kaniva - Places to See

Tourist Information

Local information is provided at Apricot House, located adjacent the roundabout in the middle of town, tel: (03) 5392 2418. It is open from 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am - 8.00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday or http://www.bordernet.com.au

Alternatively you can try the Kaniva Council offices at 25 Baker St, tel: (03) 5392 2260.

Kaniva Museum
The Kaniva Local History Museum is located at 111 Commercial St (the Western Highway), on the eastern side of town. It contains material relating to colonial European and Aboriginal history. The horse trough was donated by Annis and George Bills. The story (according to folklore) is that the Bills bequeathed something like 70 000 horse troughs. The result is that they were used all over Australia. The museum is open by appointment only, tel: (03) 5392 2680.

Fauna Park
Just west of the roundabout on the Western Highway (towards Adelaide) there is a fauna reserve to the left where there are some electric barbecues and some emus and kangaroos in an enclosure.

Billy Ho Bushwalk
If, at the roundabout, you turn south into Madden St (towards Lillimur South) and continue on for about 5 km there is a signposted turnoff on the right to Billy Ho Reserve where there is a self-guided and signposted bushwalk (3 km return). Numbered pegs enable the identification of various species of desert flora such as scarlet bottlebrush, Mallee honey, flame heath, myrtle and desert banksias. Orchids are in flower from April to December (the relevant brochure is available from the information centre).

Mooree Reserve
Mooree Reserve is a picturesque picnic area situated around dark green lagoons and shaded by huge red gums. A range of wildlife inhabits the reserve. In the 19th century, locals carted water from the lagoons to the early township of Lillimur South. A number of canoe trees indicate that the water supply was also appreciated by Aborigines. To get there head west from Kaniva along the Western Highway. After 10 km you will come to Lillimur. Just west of Lillimur the Leeor Rd heads off to the left and it will lead you to the reserve.

Little Desert National Park
Kaniva calls itself the 'Wildflower Capital of the Little Desert'. This refers to its proximity to the Little Desert National Park which is noted for its sandy ridges and springtime wildflower displays. It is the second-largest national park in Victoria. This area was ignored during the European settlement of the Wimmera. The first reserve was created in 1955 to protect the mallee fowl and the park was declared in 1968.

Despite its name, the dry hot summers and sandy soil, this is not a true desert so don't expect Sahara-like landscapes. The park receives 400 mm of rainfall per annum (mostly in winter) and supports a range of fauna and 670 plant species. With its scrubby woodland of yellow and red gum, as well as swamps and clay flats of bull-oak and melaleuca, it represents a remnant of the Wimmera's pre-colonial vegetation.

The park is essentially divided into three sections.The road to Goroke and Edenhope, which heads south off the highway just east of Kaniva, divides the western and middle sections of the park. Any exploration off this road will require a 4WD. Just east of the road is Broughton's Water Hole which features rare orchids and an abundance of native wildflowers in spring. If you wish to explore the many 4WD tracks contact a ranger for advice on routes and camping areas as some tracks are closed at certain times of the year, check out the web page, http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au