Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of Gannawarra Shire were the Baraparapa and Wemba Wemba Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1830s, with land used mainly for timber-getting, grazing and farming. Growth took place in the late 1800s, with expansion continuing during the early 1900s and the immediate post-war years. The population gradually declined from the 1970s.

Land use

Gannawarra Shire is a predominantly rural area. The main townships are Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook, with smaller towns at Lake Charm, Lalbert, Leitchville, Macorna, Murrrabit, Mystic Park and Quambatook. The Shire encompasses a total land area of over 3,700 square kilometres. Land is used mainly for agriculture, particularly dairy farming, grain and crop farming, grazing, horticulture and viticulture. There is also some timber production. The western part of the Shire is predominantly used for cereal grain production, while the northern and eastern parts are used for dairy farming and milk processing.

Transport

Gannawarra Shire is served by the Loddon Valley Highway, the Murray Valley Highway and the Melbourne-Swan Hill railway line.

Major features

• Major features of Gannawarra Shire include Gunbower National Park,
• The Murray River,
• The Loddon River,
• Gunbower Island,
• Kerang Wetlands,
• Leaghur State Park and Brown Brothers Mystic Park Vineyard.

Included areas