West Wimmera

The West Wimmera Shire encompasses 9,200 square kilometres from the Big Desert Wilderness Park in the north, down through the unique Little Desert National Park and Lake Charlegrark in the centre, then onto the Glenelg River in the south, and across to the South Australian border in the west.

Whether your visit is for relaxation, sightseeing or adventure, we invite you to enjoy and experience the great diversity of our Shire. The South East, which is dotted with stately Red Gums and about 3000 Wetlands is perfect for nature based tourism. The region boasts unique flora and fauna.

Climate

Weather within the West Wimmera Shire varies from the perfect temperate climate in the north to more moderate temperatures in the south.

Average daytime summer temperatures 30°C
Average daytime winter temperatures 15°C

West Wimmera Shire is home to the largest concentration of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) in Victoria.

It is estimated that the population of this endangered species is only 700-1000 birds. Red-tailed Black Cockatoos nest in hollows formed in old eucalypts, particularly the dead Red Gums which are found in many West Wimmera paddocks.

Your best chance of seeing these beautiful rare birds is to search in the Brown Stringybark Forests in the early evening until dusk when the bird flies to watering holes and then to roost. You may also view the aviary bred Red Tailed Black Cockatoo in the Rotary Lions Aviary & the Fauna & Wetlands Park in Kaniva.