Christmas in Kyvalley

We spent an amazing two weeks with family over the Christmas period at Palmer Road, Kyvalley. We spent our time relaxing with immediate family, reconnecting with extended family and friends, and fine-tuning, modifying, and preparing our setup for the next stage of our journey.

Kyvalley is a locality in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria.

Both Glenn and I grew up in this area—Glenn in the township of Kyabram less than 5kms southeast of Kyvalley and me just west of Kyabram on a dairy farm.

Kyvalley, began as farm selections in 1873, developing into an irrigated district with orchards and dairying after the Goulburn Valley irrigation system arrived, supported by a railway (1887) and community institutions like a hall (1926) and school (1887), evolving from orchards to a prominent dairying area, notably home to the large Kyvalley Dairy Group. 

The school has since closed, but the swimming pool—once part of the school—remains and continues to serve the surrounding community. The hall is also still in use and is a popular venue for local functions and community events.

While Kyvalley doesn’t offer tourist attractions as such, Kyabram is best known for its Fauna Park recently taken over by Zoo Victoria. Within a short 1/2 hr drive you can also explore Echuca—best known for its historic port and the Murray River—and Shepparton, offering a range of outdoor activities, fine food and wine, and art galleries.

While we will miss our family deeply, we know they’re excited for us and eager to follow our adventures—perhaps even meeting up with us on the road along the way.