Shepparton

Shepparton lies in the Goulburn Valley, a major agricultural and food processing region termed the 'food bowl of Australia'. On the banks of the Goulburn River, Shepparton offers great weather, gourmet food and wine, superb shopping and many recreational and entertainment facilities. Shepparton is a fantastic place to explore as a family. Run wild at the SPC Ardmona KidsTown Adventure Playground that features a miniature railway, giant slides, tree houses, a fruit bin maze, flying fox, swings and monkey bars. Enjoy a picnic by Victoria Park Lake, a community hub in the town's heart that attracts groups year-round. Visit the Aquamoves complex on the western edge of the lake, offering a state-of-the-art aquatic centre with pools, a waterslide, spas and sauna. Visit the ceramics collection at the Shepparton Art Gallery or try milking a cow at the Emerald Bank Heritage Farm. Keep an eye out for the life-size fibreglass cows, tucked in strange places around town as part of the MooovingArt initiative. Learn about Aboriginal culture and history at the Bangerang Keeping Place. Local factory sales outlets are good places to grab bargains. Local events include International Dairy Week in January, The SheppARTon Festival in March and the World Cup Show Jumping in November. Shepparton is 179 kilometres or about two hours north of Melbourne on the Goulburn Valley Highway. Daily rail or coach services are available from Melbourne.