7 Bizarrely Named Towns In Victoria

Covering a large swath of southeastern Australia, the state of Victoria is known for its wide plains, sandy coastline, the busy hub of Melbourne, and its many charming small towns. These friendly communities have plenty of stories to tell, not least of which are how they got their names. From the port city named after a whaling ship to the rural outpost named for a Scottish lake, these bizarrely named towns have a rich history they’re eager to share with visitors. Here, in Victoria’s eclectic communities, you’ll have an experience like no other and come away feeling like you’ve seen the real Australia.

Moe

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the town of Moe was named after a person, but it actually takes its strange name from an Aboriginal word for ‘mud swamp’. Don’t worry, this isn’t an accurate description of this beautiful outdoorsy town, adorned with colorful street murals and packed with pristine parks and gardens.

The Moe Botanic Gardens in the heart of town offer a tranquil green space where you can pick up the 8.5km Moe-Yallourn Rail Trail, a scenic hiking and biking pathway. Settled in 1856, Moe has a rich history that’s on full display at Old Gippstown Heritage Park, an outdoor museum that gives visitors the chance to step back in time. Wander the streets of a traditional Western Victoria town at the turn of the century, seeing 35 of the town’s original buildings, including a homestead and a halfway house.

Warrnambool

Settled in the mid 1800s between the Merri and Hopkins Rivers, Warrnambool takes its unusual name from the Kuurn Kopan Noot people, and means ‘two swamps’ or ‘ample water’. Overlooking the ocean, there is definitely ample water and ample activities in this vibrant coastal town.

Between June and October, head to Logans Beach for beautiful ocean views and whale-watching. Southern Right whales pass through these waters to their nursery and can be seen as close as 100 metres offshore. Catch more local scenery at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, home to more than 2,000 artworks, including Indigenous artifacts, the works of the Melbourne Modernists of the 1940s, and contemporary pieces.

If you’re interested in learning more about Warrnambool’s long history and maritime heritage, visit the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. There, you can browse ancient artifacts and watch a vivid light and sound show that tells the story of the Shipwreck Coast and its people.

Echuca

Echuca, pronounced e-choo-ka, began life as Hopwood’s Ferry, named for enterprising ex-convict Harry Hopwood, who had a business ferrying people across the Murray River in 1850. A settlement quickly sprang up at the site and was named Echuca, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘meeting of the waters’. Today, the town is a lively port that, together with its twin town, Moama, is home to the world's largest fleet of operating riverboats.

You can’t visit Echuca without taking a ride in one of those boats. Book a trip with Echuca Paddlesteamers to travel as they did in the 1880s. The company offers daily one-hour cruises as well as 90-minute sunset cruises in the spring and summer. Their vintage fleet includes the PS Adelaide, the oldest wooden-hulled paddle steamer still operating anywhere in the world.

After your river cruise, recharge with a sip of something special. Housed in an old carriage builder’s workshop, the historic St Anne’s Winery offers daily guided tastings of its award-winning wines. Sample more local delicacies at the Echuca Chocolate Company, which has a mouthwatering selection of handmade chocolates, truffles, bars, and more. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love the Billabong Ranch Adventure Park, a sprawling 500-acre fun park offering horse rides, pedal boats, mini golf, rock climbing, an animal nursery, and more.

Bonnie Doon

Rustic, rural, and historic, the small town of Bonnie Doon was named by settler Thomas Nixon in homage to the Doon Loch in his native Scotland. The town is now known as the ‘gateway to the high country’ and is popular with anglers, hikers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. One of the most famous landmarks in town is the 385-metre Bonnie Doon Bridge, which straddles Lake Eildon, forming part of the Great Victorian Rail Trail. After enjoying the views from the bridge, stop by the historic Bonnie Doon Station to see where the old railway station was located.

A 45-mile drive south of Bonnie Doon takes you to the entrance of Lake Eildon National Park. This beautiful natural playground offers swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, sailing, fishing, and a network of hiking and biking trails. You can see a lot of Australia’s diverse wildlife in the park, including kangaroos, wombats, and colorful native birds.

Port Fairy

Port Fairy is a quaint fishing village on the Shipwreck Coast that’s as magical as its name. Formerly known as Belfast, the town was renamed in 1887 after one of the original whaling boats that discovered the area, the Fairy. The port is still an active fishing hub and has preserved many of its original 19th-century buildings. The Mills and Motts Cottages are Victorian Heritage Listed buildings built in the 1840s and now maintained as museums with limited opening hours. The Mills Cottage is among Victoria's oldest surviving dwellings. The Port Fairy Museum and Archives shed more light on the town’s whaling past, early beginnings, and thriving present.

For some dazzling ocean views, take a wander from town out to the Griffiths Island Lighthouse. Pick up a map of the Griffiths Island Trail from the Port Fairy Visitor Centre to follow the route across scenic Griffiths Island and out to the iconic landmark that was built in 1859. Before leaving Port Fairy, pick up a memorable and quirky souvenir at Blarney Books and Art, a key location in the town’s thriving arts scene. Here you can browse a curated selection of new and secondhand books and take a peek at the art gallery, which displays local works.

Lakes Entrance

Bizarre because it’s so literal, the name ‘Lakes Entrance’ perfectly describes the setting of this coastal community in southeastern Victoria. Located where the Gippsland Lakes meet the Southern Ocean, Lakes Entrance has Australia’s largest inland network of waterways. This makes it a great destination if you love watersports or the outdoors.

Spend some time at Ninety Mile Beach to enjoy surfing, sunbathing, or simply wandering the sandy stretch of pristine coastline. See the lakes in style with a cruise from local operators Lonsdale Eco Cruises. Their three-hour cruises are narrated by fourth-generation fisherman, Captain Tony, and you might see some unexpected guests — dolphins are a common visitor to the lake's system between May and December.

Ever been to a winery by boat? Hop aboard the Wyanga Park Winery lunch cruise to leisurely sail from the jetty in Lakes Entrance to the winery, enjoying a delicious meal along the way and some local wines. In operation since 1970, the family-owned winery offers daily tastings and lunches amid a rustic bush setting.

Yea

Located in Victoria’s high country, the township of Yea was originally called Muddy Creek but changed its name in 1855 to commemorate Colonel Lacy Walter Yea, who was killed in the Crimean War. Now a vibrant community on the Great Victorian Rail Trail, the town is known for its railway heritage and natural amenities. Yea is home to the only tunnel on the Great Victorian Rail Trail, the Cheviot Tunnel. Built with handmade bricks and local clay, the tunnel dates back to the 1880s and is a local landmark as well as a beautiful feature on the popular hiking and biking path.

Visit the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre for a fun look at local ecology. It offers interpretative displays, guided tours, a gift shop, and the Indigenous garden Badji Baanang, which is packed with beautiful native plants. See more of the surrounding area with a trip on the Kerrisdale Mountain Railway, a 35-minute tour on board a narrow-gauge tourist railway that winds through the Upper Goulburn Valley.

Weird, Wonderful and Wacky Victoria

You can tell a lot about a place from its name. These bizarrely-named towns have quirky monikers and colorful personalities to match. Take a ride on a scenic railway, cruise the lakes on a vintage paddlesteamer, go whale-watching, sip handcrafted wines, and meet some native wildlife. Whatever you get up to in these fun and fascinating towns, you’ll get an authentic taste of life down under that leaves you planning a return trip.