Tatura: Wetlands, art and regional history

Tatura combines nature experiences with public art, regional history and a major event in the dairy industry. A 33-hectare wetland is the centrepiece of Cussen Park, while the Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum focuses on the history of the town and surrounding area. There are also art projects at Lake Bartlett and the public square, Stuart Mock Place.

Wetlands and wildlife at Cussen Park

Cussen Park is a 33-hectare wetland with diverse wildlife, including birds and mammals. Gentle paths lead to bird hides and boardwalks. For bird enthusiasts, this makes nature a clear focus of a visit; the paths and observation points also give you a concrete idea of what to expect in the park. The hides and boardwalks mentioned are part of the wetland experience described, without implying a specific length of stay.

Public art

At Lake Bartlett, an art project features more than 20 painted bollards. The works were created by local artists, schools and community groups. This also makes the project interesting as a community effort, with a range of local participants contributing to it. The number of bollards and the different groups involved give the project a distinctive character, setting it apart from a single artwork.

Another example is Stuart Mock Place, a public square in Tatura featuring three murals and a fountain. If you are interested in art in everyday settings, you can add these works to your list alongside the project at Lake Bartlett. The two locations offer different forms of public art: painted bollards here, murals and a fountain there.

History and events

The Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum gives visitors the opportunity to explore the history of Tatura and the surrounding area. This includes the history of irrigation in the Goulburn Valley, as well as the distinctive history of the region’s seven internment and prisoner-of-war camps from the Second World War. The Tatura Museum collection relating to these seven camps is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. For visitors interested in regional history, the museum opens up two distinct subject areas: irrigation in the Goulburn Valley and the history of the wartime camps.

Another reason to visit is International Dairy Week, held annually at Tatura Park. It is the largest annual dairy cattle sale and show in the Southern Hemisphere. Tatura Park also hosts a range of events throughout the year.

Travellers with vans and motorhomes will also find a convenient rest and overnight stop in Tatura, directly off the main street lined with ornamental pear trees. This information is particularly relevant for this type of travel. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide whether you want to explore Tatura for its wetlands, art, regional history or an event.

Discover more places

If you would like to add more places to your itinerary, you can find Mount Cole, Smiths Beach, Ivanhoe, Rosebrook, Rosebud, Axedale, Rawson and Hepburn Springs.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.