Strathmerton lies in a rich dairy region of Victoria

Strathmerton, lots of beaches in a rich Victorian dairy region

Known as 'Beach on every bend' country, Strathmerton lies within a rich dairying region of Victoria. The eighteen or so sandy beaches lie only a few km north of the town.

Settled by Benjamin Boyd in 1841, his property was originally called Ulupna, the name of a local Aboriginal family group, but it was later chagned to Strathmerton; Strath being Gaelic for valley and Merton, the name of Boyd’s family’s Scottish home.

Soldier settlements opened up and developed the land during the late 1940s and Kraft Cheese constructed their first cheese-making plant in 1949. Developments have continued at Strathmerton since the establishment of Kraft's facility with the processed cheese factory being expanded to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. Bega Cheese purchased the Kraft facilities in 2009 and has further expanded the facilities and continues to supply Kraft Foods with their cheese requirements along with many other international customers located all around the world.

Points of Interest

Coonanga Homestead

The homestead is located on the corner of Crawfords and the Bearii-Mynell roads, north of Strathmerton. The homestead was begun in 1874 and is of slab construction made from wood split on the property. The timber for the ceilings, doors and finishings came from Echuca by paddle steamer. The original shingle roof was later replaced with corrugated iron. Restoration of the building is underway and it is now included on the National Register and classified 'B'.

Ulupna Island

Ulupna Island is located 12km north of Strathmerton. Turn off the Murray Valley Highway onto Bourchier's Road, left onto Bearii-Mywee Road and then right into Ulupna Bridge Road. Ulupna Island is bordered by the Murray River on the north and by Ulupna Creek to the south. Tracks skirts both sides of the Ulupna Creek. Originally a flora and fauna reserve, the island has now been incorporated into the Barmah State Park.

Bushwalking tracks on the island allow you to enjoy the original river red gum vegetation. Over 180 species of plants as well as 120 species of birds have been documented. Koalas were re-introduced to the island in 1976, after an absence of 74 years, and can be seen high in the branches. The eastern grey kangaroo is a common sight, especially at early morning and dusk. Also there is a 1 km stretch of original Murray River bed that you can walk along. Since Federation the river has changed course, but the state boundary of New South Wales and Victoria has not. It is one place where you can walk into New South Wales without getting your feet wet.

Excellent beaches are located along the Murray River frontage of the Ulupna Island. They are, from east to west, Breen's, Pump, Labbetts, Carters, Ulupna, Lagoon, and Faraway beaches. Carters is the most popular with picnic, playground and toilet facilities. Further downstream is Morgans Beach off Morgan Mill Road.

Cactus Country

Just off the Murray Valley Highway 2.5 km from Strathmerton (12.5 km from Cobram), is a landscaped cacti-garden featuring over 10 000 cacti and succulents. Specimens have come from South America, North America and Africa. Open daily 9am-5pm. Tours by appointment.