Koonwarra

Overview

Koonwarra is a picturesque village with strong traditional community groups.  Koonwarra is well known for fine food and wine, contemporary arts and craft, innovative health and well being services, a leader in promoting organic foods, plastic bag free, Australia's first Waste Wise Village, home of Greenfleet Australia. The Regional Farmers Markers and the Slow Food initiatives were conceived here and have spread to other areas.

History

Like Meeniyan, Koonwarra was a railway station on the South Gippsland line in South Gippsland, Victoria. The station was opened during the 1890s and operated until 1991, when the line to Barry Beach servicing the oil fields in Bass Strait was closed, the line was then dismantled and turned into the Great Southern Rail Trail.

One of Victoria's most interesting fossil beds is at Koonwarra in South Gippsland. This fossil bed has been dated at 115-118 million years old, and contains the remains of fish, plants, insects, crustaceans, spiders, worms, bird feathers and a horseshoe crab. There are also freshwater bryozoans and a mussel.

Places of interest

Picturesque village
Memorial Hall
Tree lined avenues
South Gippsland Farmers Market
Great Southern Rail Trail

Accommodation

Koonwarra offers a range of comfortable accommodation including, self contained cottages and bed and breakfast options. Further information about these can be found at www.visitpromcountry.com

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