Shepparton, Vic, is a thriving town located 180km north of Melbourne on the Goulburn Valley Highway. It is in the centre of the Goulburn Valley and is also the headquarters of the Goulburn Valley irrigation system. The nearby township of Mooroopna is separated from Shepparton by the Goulburn River and a large tract of flood-prone forest but the towns are joined by a causeway.

The surrounding area produces a substantial proportion of Vic’s agricultural output, particularly fruit, vegetables, cereals and milk products.

Local industry includes two enormous fruit canneries (SPC and Ardmona), Campbell’s Soups, a foundry and a woollen mill.

The famous blacksmith and wheelwright, John Furphy, came to Shepparton in 1873 and by 1878 he had established a foundry in the town. By 1880 he was manufacturing water carts which became hugely popular around the country.

Such was their popularity that when war broke out in 1914 they were ordered in large numbers by the Australian Army and were used in camps where the local water supply was unreliable.

It is said that the word ‘furphy’, meaning a rumour or tall tale, came into existence because soldiers used to gather around the water supply and it was there that rumours were shared and spread. The foundry is open weekdays for inspection.

Another interesting place to visit is the Shepparton Preserving Company (SPC), established in 1917 and today one of the world’s largest canneries.

It employs at least 1500 people in season (400 out of season) and produces around half a million cans a day.

SPC accounts for around 40 per cent of the country’s tinned fruit and exports to 60 foreign countries (especially Canada). Half-hour tours are conducted between January and April and less regular tours during the off-season. Divine Escape

We made our base the Victoria Lake Holiday Park, a Top Tourist Park which has been established for more than 50 years. Situated right beside the lake, it is certainly picturesque, especially at sunset.

For bird lovers there is a large variety of species to be spotted whether they be water or land based. The Tourist Information Centre is located at the entrance to the park and you can also have a very nice interlude with a coffee on the deck overlooking the foreshore.

Our hosts were Ben and Melissa Elliott who, with Robert and Mary as their assistants, had managed the park for just on three years. The park is owned by the Greater Shepparton Council and leased by Peter and Tanya Robinson.

During our visit in 2005, we had discovered that travellers with dogs were not allowed on the foreshore area (because of council regulations) but as there were spots for caravans and motorhomes on the front line, we could still see through to the lake.

Some cabins are planned for the foreshore area and additionally, the old amenities block will be rebuilt and a new recreation area including tennis court, with access for both standard powered and drive-through sites will be back towards the rear of the leased area.

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There are currently two other amenities blocks at either end of the park.

A member of the Top Tourist Group, the park does take four-legged friends in non-peak periods and it is listed as Shepparton’s only non-permanent park.

There are currently about 20 cabins and these are generally occupied by the many seasonal workers who stay there while either employed at canneries or fruit picking.

Many workers also arrive with their own caravans or campers as this park gives easy access to the orchard areas.

In 2006, the season was later than usual. Crops include peaches, apricots, pears, apples and tomatoes – a harvest period four to eight weeks depending on the fruit.

There were, at the time of our stay, about 80 powered sites and a similar number of unpowered sites, plus powered and unpowered camping under the big gum trees, four ensuite sites and about 30 annuals (no permanents).

Peak rates apply for school holidays, December 26 to January 31, June long weekend and Easter.

Rex, our border collie, gave Victoria Lake Holiday Park a three-paw rating because he could go for long walks on his lead around the Lake’s front – his only complaint was that his humans stopped to take photographs all the time. We also went for walks through the bush on a boardwalk.

There is a large aquatic complex just around the foreshore and walking to town is a breeze, as it is so flat.

The only fault in the Lake itself was that the council need to do a good cleanup of debris (paper and bottles) in the water. While it was lovely to see family groups picnicking and/or fishing, obviously people leave litter behind and it blows into the water.

As far as the park was concerned, an answering machine where you could leave a message would be handy. Notwithstanding that, Ben and Melissa’s attitude was excellent.

Shepparton fast facts

Shepparton is approximately two hours’ drive north of Melbourne on the Goulburn Valley Highway. Major events held during the year include International Dairy Week (January), Mooroopna Fruit Salad Day (February), The SheppARTon Festival (March), Agricultural Show (October), Spring Car Nationals (November), and World Cup Show Jumping (November).

Victoria Lake Holiday park fast facts

Victoria Lake Holiday Park is located at 536 Wyndham Street Shepparton, Vic (03) 5821 5431 or freecall 1800 800 070, email: info@viclakeholidaypark.com.au, www.viclakeholidaypark.com.au

By Bob and Chrissy Eustace, as featured in Caravan World, issue 436, December 2006.