You'll find the Visitor Information Centre centrally located near the big windmill at the roundabout on Commercial St, Western Highway. We are the first and last highway town in Victoria.
Our Story Merino sheep were bred and run in the Kaniva District by squatters from the 1850s and 1860s. When the area was thrown open to selectors from 1875 onwards, sheep and cattle were run as the land was cleared, but were limited to where water was available. From around 1890 onwards the township sprung up, largely thanks to Fry's flour mill. However it was the windmill that provided a reliable water source for stock, pumping water from a bore that has been dug deep enough to access an underground aquifer. Nowadays, many farms have replaced windmills with solar pumps and the area is still dependant on underground water for urban and agricultural water supply, the main resource being the Tertiary Limestone Aquifer. The windmill in Kaniva is ornamental only. The towns gardens are all watered using the underground water and the Kaniva Wetlands fills from storm-water run off.
Kaniva Visitor Information Centre NB Closed until further notice: The Visitor Information Centre contains a small range of brochures and visitor touchscreen. It is located next to the public toilets with both accessible and baby change facilities. Visitor facilities include EV charging station, picnic tables, caravan parking. The centre has accessibility access including touch screen and entrance. Disability parking is located next to the public toilets, in front of the Kaniva Pharmacy and ATM. The ATM is located next to Doyles IGA supermarket across the road. The public defibrillator is on the Post Office wall. Call 000 in an emergency. Kaniva Medical Centre is located in Farmers St.
Walking Tours There are several free walking tours that are available encompassing history, art, sheep art and the wetlands. Most of these leave from the Information Centre and include a variety of digital interactive gaming tours that can be accessed via your phone. Simply download the actionbound app (advert free) and search bounds near by or Kaniva. They are suitable for all ages and interest groups.
Caravan parking around town:
Maddern St, Long vehicle parallel parking on left hand side, near the Commercial Hotel opposite the toilets and windmill.
Wetlands and Fauna Park, includes toilets and BBQ area. (500 mt walk to main street from toilets, or 300 mts from aviary.)
Silo Art - front of the Band Park on Progress St. (200mt walk to the main street.)
Kaniva Shire Hall - Alongside Commercial St, opposite the Roadhouse. (200mt walk to the main street.)
Local weather Our local weather station is sponsored by H&R Rural and can be found on this website
If you have any Kaniva news or events that you would like promoted through the Kaniva digital pages, or have a business or organisation that you would like included or details changed, please email us. Any photos, videos, audio or story contributions are gladly received. Our instagram page features an array of photos taken by travellers and locals alike. You can also tweet us with your photos and comments, #KanivaAu or post to our facebook page.