Nirranda is a cosy hamlet nestled into western Victoria’s mosaic of farming pastures. Bordered by the Great Ocean Road, the town is the perfect place to appreciate the popular coastal touring route’s unsung pastoral beauty. It is thought that the name Nirranda was derived from the local Aboriginal word for “moon.” Explore the region’s idyllic lowlands and admire the fertile plains where dairy cattle graze to produce the main ingredient for some of western Victoria’s fantastic cheeses.
These pasture-fed cows produce milk that is supplied to leading dairy producers in the western Victorian plains. Nirranda’s farming history goes back to the late 1860s, when the first European settlement was recorded. The neighboring localities of Nirranda East and Nirranda South soon followed.
Today, you can see the foundations of the small community in the collection of public amenities along the roadside. Check out Nirranda’s former Catholic Church, which is a modern monument constructed in 1959. Meet locals training or competing at the Nirranda Football and Netball Club. Stretch your legs at the Recreation Reserve or find out if there’s a community event on at the Public Hall.
Continue your Nirranda road trip to visit the native woodlands at the Doug Fenwick Reserve. Keep going towards the coast to see the rugged cliffs that plunge into the ocean from the foreshore. A network of country roads will lead you to secret coves and stunning coastal views across the Mepunga Coastal Reserve.
While in the area, be sure to check out the Great Ocean Road’s magnificent array of attractions. Explore the Shipwreck Coast and visit Childers Cove, the Bay of Islands and the Twelve Apostles. Visit neighboring Peterborough, a laid-back, family-friendly destination, or sample delicious regional cheeses in Timboon. Go on a zip-line tour through the treetops in the Great Otway National Park.
Nirranda is located in western Victoria. It is a 3-hour drive west from Melbourne and a 30-minute drive east from Warrnambool. Stay in one of Nirranda’s cosy cottages or indulge at the town’s Edwardian farmstead retreat.
