Tarwin Lower: River, Bushland and Local History

By the Tarwin River

Tarwin Lower lies on the banks of the Tarwin River, and the river shapes various ways to experience the town. There are numerous wooden fishing platforms along the water. The Tarwin Lower Boardwalk runs beside the river and is also a good spot for fishing. Tarwin Lower itself is also a popular fishing destination on the Tarwin River. Here, the connection to the water is both part of the landscape and a tangible part of local recreational activities.

Picnics and paths

The 35-metre-long Long Table offers a different perspective: its curved shape represents the course of the river, and it is a picnic destination. The Tarwin Lower to Venus Bay Shared Pathway starts right beside the Long Table. The route runs for five kilometres along the Tarwin River between the two towns and can be used on foot or by bicycle. While the Long Table reflects the river in its design, the path follows it in reality. The picnic spot and the route therefore share a starting point; you can begin your outing at the table or plan the connection as a trip in its own right.

Bushland and different types of paths

The 1-kilometre Manna Gum Loop Track runs through native bushland and loops around the Tarwin Lower Flora and Fauna Reserve. The reserve is home to a wide variety of native plants and animals. There are several places to sit along the track, making it easy to plan breaks. The loop can be compared with the 5-kilometre connection to Venus Bay in terms of distance and route type: one is a loop through bushland, while the other is a route between two towns along the river that can be used on foot or by bicycle. The choice is therefore about more than just distance; it is also about choosing between a loop and a connection between towns.

A look at the surrounding area

Bald Hill Wetlands Reserve lies in the vicinity of Tarwin Lower, in the direction of Walkerville. It is home to diverse birdlife and mangroves. This wetland adds a different natural feature to Tarwin Lower’s combination of riverbank and bushland. If you would like to consider wetlands, birdlife and mangroves as well as the river and paths when planning your visit, this nearby area offers an additional landscape to explore.

Historical points of interest

The town’s historical points of interest include a monument, the Memorial Hall and the former butter factory. The John Simpson Monument was erected around 1861 on River Drive in Tarwin Lower and is of local historical significance to the district. Tarwin Lower Memorial Hall was built in 1890 and extended between 1926 and 1933; it is of local historical, social and aesthetic significance to the South Gippsland Shire. The former Tarwin Lower Butter Factory is an important landmark at the entrance to the town. These examples have different points of emphasis: the monument is of local historical significance, while the hall’s assessment also encompasses social and aesthetic aspects; the former factory marks the entrance to the town as a landmark.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ivanhoe, Strzelecki, Marnoo, Spotswood, Rosebrook, Great Western, Lara, Shelbourne.

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