Kaniva, Victoria
Home to a tight-knit community, Kaniva is a proud, little town centred along a thoroughfare of historic buildings, pubs and whimsical landmarks. Halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, this is sheep and wheat farming country – but with a colourful twist. For one, the sheep here are technicolour; the grain silo is a giant work of art; and the once-operational big windmill now takes pride of place as the town’s iconic emblem.
The silo art is the town’s big-draw attraction. Forming part of the brilliant 200km-long Silo Art Trail, Kaniva’s stunning giant mural pays homage to the nearby Little Desert and is one not to miss. But before there was silo art, there was Sheep Art (www.kaniva.org/sheepart.html). A delightful tribute to its sheep history, here you can follow the trail of glossy, beautifully painted sheep around town, learning of local stories as you go.
For history, the superbly curated Overland Museum takes you through all the romance of long-distance train travel from Melbourne to Adelaide, while the town’s historical museum also offers a lovely step back in time.
Kids, meanwhile, will love Kaniva’s old-fashioned puppet shop – as well as beautiful items for purchase, there’s a theatre for marionette performances.
For local wildlife, wander over to the Wetlands and Fauna Park. Here you’ll find an emu, albino kangaroos and the rare southern red-tailed black cockatoo. But for some real adventure, Kaniva is the perfect launching point for 4WD trips into the nearby Little Desert and Big Desert wilderness areas.
Handy Links
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Kaniva Victoria
https://www.kaniva.org/
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Victorian Places
https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/kaniva
SEE & DO Things to See and Do in Kaniva
General attractions
- Silo Art- Band Park & playground
- Sheep Art Trail - kaniva.org/sheepart.html
- The Fauna Park contains Kangaroos, Wallabies, an emu and more. The aviary is home to Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and a variety of birds. The newly upgraded park features a flying fox, nature play space, exercise equipment, walking track, free BBQ and picnic area. It is also home to the original engine that was used to provide the electricity to the town from 1925 - 1964.
- Kaniva Puppet Shop - https://www.facebook.com/The-Kaniva-puppet-shop
Local Art
- Purple Starfish Community Shop - com/PurpleStarfishKaniva
- Worry's Giftshop and Ice creamery - com/Worrys-114672410445220
Museums
- Kaniva Historical Museum 03 5392 2680
- Overland Museum 0418 579 634
- Serviceton Historic Railway Station 03 5393 1448or 0418 142 915
Nature
- Billyho Bushwalk - Lillumur South Road
- Scar Tree (Aboriginal dug out tree)
- Mooree Reserve - Lillimur South Road
- Serviceton Reservoir
Recreation
- Kaniva Golf - 18 hole course set in natural bushland. Open March to October. Fully Licensed. Visitors Welcome. 0458 504 005
- Kaniva Bowls - Two greens (one synthetic, one grass). 03 5392 1322. Visitors Welcome.
- Little Desert National Park
- Big Desert Wilderness Park
- Playgrounds in Kaniva - See Local Playgrounds here
- Kaniva Swimming Pool - 4 Baker Street Kaniva - Phone: 0447 084 241
EAT & DRINK Eateries and Restaurants in Kaniva
Club Hotel Kaniva
54 Commercial St E, Kaniva VIC 3419
https://www.facebook.com/clubhotelkaniva/
03 5392 2280
Commercial Hotel Kaniva
39 Commercial St W, Kaniva VIC 3217
https://www.facebook.com/CommercialHotelKaniva/
03 5392 2230
Nikki & Jays Pizza
80 Commercial St, Kaniva
035392 2776
Facebook
https://www.nikkiandjayspizzatakeaway.com/
Kaniva Visitor Information Centre & Raine's Cafe
41 Commercial Street, Kaniva, VIC, 3419.
03 5314 9083
Little Guys Pizza and Café
Kaniva Community Roadhouse - Takeaway
40 Commercial St E, Kaniva VIC 3419
03 5392 2587
https://www.facebook.com/ KCRkanivacommunityroadhouse
Doyles IGA Kaniva - Takeaway
68 Commercial St, Kaniva
03 5392 2250
https://www.facebook.com/Doyles-IGA-Kaniva-104189171068317
Worry's Giftshop and Icecreamery
34 Commercial St, Kaniva
03 5314 9081
https://www.facebook.com/Worrys
Purple Starfish - Local Produce
52 Commercial St
03 5392 2865
thepurplestarfish.weebly.com/about.html
thepurplestarfish@gmail.com
facebook.com/PurpleStarfishKaniva
STAY Accommodation options in Kaniva
Kaniva Midway Hotel
14 Commercial St W, Kaniva VIC 3419
www.kanivamidway.com
03 5392 2515
Kaniva Poolside Caravan Park
4 Baker St Kaniva VIC 3419
Kaniva Poolside Caravan Park
Caretakers: Alaine & Ross McFarlane
Phone: 0458 687 054
Email: braml1@hotmail.com
or call West Wimmera Shire Council on13 99 72
Travellers Inn Kaniva, Motel
134 Commercial St E, Kaniva VIC 3419
travellersinnkaniva.com.au
03 5392 2930
Commercial Hotel Kaniva
39 Commercial St W, Kaniva VIC 3217
https://www.facebook.com/ CommercialHotelKaniva/
03 5392 2230
Bills Gully Reserve (call for information)
Miran South Rd
03 5392 2221