Koonwarra is a leader in environmental innovations, striving to educate everyone in environmental awareness and sustainable living.
Koonwarra is proud of its pioneers and is now a leader in environmental innovations, striving to educate everyone in environment awareness and sustainable living whilst encouraging an even greater community spirit.
It is a picturesque village with strong traditional community groups such as the CFA, Memorial Hall Committee and Recreation Reserve Committee that maintain this scenic reserve at a very high standard.
Koonwarra is also well known for:
Regional farmers markets and the Slow Food initiative were conceived here and have spread to other areas.
Although the South Gippsland Highway now almost bypasses the town, the Village cannot be missed with its painted swan and wetlands Koonwarra sign, avenues of trees planted over the last couple of years and the parkland surrounding the toilet block for visitors.
Things to see and do
Koonwarra is located approximately 128 kilometres from Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway. V/Line bus services are available for travel.
Like Meeniyan, Koonwarra was a railway station on the South Gippsland line. The station was opened during the 1890s and operated until 1991, when the line to Barry Beach servicing the oil fields in Bass Strait was closed, the line was then dismantled and turned into the Great Southern Rail Trail.
One of Victoria’s most interesting fossil beds is at Koonwarra. The fossil bed has been dated at 115-118 million years old and contains the remains of fish, plants, insects, crustaceans, spiders, worms, bird feathers and a horseshoe crab. There are also freshwater bryozoans and a mussel.
– Location approximately 128 kilometres south-east of Melbourne
– First eco-wise town in Australia
– Great Southern Rail Trail
– South Gippsland Farmers Market
– Foodstore’s
– Valley Plains Pottery
– The Wine Farm (check online for tasting days)
– Farmers Markets (monthly)
Koonwarra is located roughly midway between the towns of Leongatha and Meeniyan, along the South Gippsland Highway.
