Photos And Useful Information About Toora
Toora is located approx. 179 kilometres south east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway, between Leongatha and Yarram. A two hour drive from Melbourne and ten minutes to Foster, Port Franklin and Welshpool, this sleepy little town is only just being discovered as a place to buy cheap real estate. A small shop in the main street just sold for less than $80,000 – now, where else could you find a bargain like that?
Local Facilities – The supermarket stocks a reasonable range of supplies, and a Pizza Shop, Chinese Restaurant and the Windmill Café cater for most other tastes. The Toora Heated Swimming Pool is a facility that is often under utilized. With a friendly community atmosphere, swimming lessons, water aerobics, weekend sausage sizzle and occasional open air movies, the summer months provide the locals and tourists with another great choice for family fun. The Toora Tourist Caravan Park has excellent facilities for holiday makers and families with their indoor pool, spa and giant trampoline. For coffee and delicious home cooked food (including gluten-free) you must visit The Windmill Cafe and Toora Bargain Centre. While you’re there, browse through the amazing range of antiques and collectables in the large rooms right next door.
Tourist Information – For more detailed information, please use our convenient Search Page.
Shops In Town – The Toora Post Office stocks the best range of jewellery and gifts I’ve ever seen in a country town. You can also find a good local hairdresser and masseur with the popular Toora Heritage Pear Orchard being an attraction of interest to many garden lovers. There are several other shops including the Carol Linton artists own gallery, Framing and Art Supply Shop, Bendigo Bank, Antique Store, Lavender Farm, Giftware, Motel Units and the local pub (see below).
Royal Standard Hotel – Now, I wouldn’t normally do a write-up on a pub, but this one is quite exceptional. There’s nothing fancy about the bar, the beer garden, the accommodation, the bistro or the outdoor heated patio, but the food is simply delicious. The kids are really well catered for too, with a ‘state of the art’ games room – so good, that I’ve seen lots of adults sneaking in when they think that no one else is watching.
Boat Launching Ramp – If you’d like to do some fishing, a Boat Ramp is provided at Toora but it is advisable to go to Port Franklin or Port Welshpool instead, due to the tidal restrictions. Gas BBQ’s are at several conveniently located spots if you’d like to stop for a picnic and cook your own food, and the park at the end of the main street has a wealth of local information on various plaques along its short walking track.
Real Estate In Toora– There are a variety of properties to buy, some with spectacular views of Wilsons Promontory and Corner Inlet. Most people who live in Toora are there permanently, but there are several holiday homes, Bed and Breakfast and other holiday accommodation places. Check with any of the three Real Estate Agents in Foster for details of what is currently available for sale or rent. The prices are really quite cheap.
The Toora Wind Farm – This facility caused some division in the local community when the towers were first proposed. No matter what happens, they do provide a much needed boost to tourist in the area with bus trips regularly tackling the trip up to the viewing area. They are definitely here to stay for the moment. Most people are in awe of their size, some think they spoil the view and others enjoy the interest that the wind towers add to the scenery. To read more about the debate, visit the Wind Farm page.
Local Wildlife – There’s no shortage of Wombats, Echidnas, Rabbits, Possums, Koalas and Wallabies to be seen, especially in the hills surrounding Toora, so be particularly careful when driving at night time, as they wander freely in this area. The Landcare Group at Wonyip are working to save habitat for the endangered Spotted Tiger Quoll and I am looking forward to the day when they are also being spotted in the wild.
Corner Inlet Coastal And Marine Park – Access to this area can be gained by driving to the Toora Boat Ramp. A bird hide has been built so you can get a great look the diversity of bird species that live in or visit this interesting area. For more information and pictures, see the Corner Inlet page.
Toora Beach Boardwalks – The Toora boardwalks were constructed by the Won Wron prison work gang, members of Toora Community and Parks Victoria. The project was completed in 2003. They received their funding from a ‘Coast Care Action’ grant together with money donated by the District Progress Association fund. They make the area more accessible for humans to enjoy at the same time protecting the fragile natural environment from careless footsteps.
The Toora Bird Hide – This shelter was completed in September 2000 and provides the community with a comfortable area to sit and watch the diversity of birds that congregate in the area. Various information plaques adorn the walls with descriptions of land and sea birds, migratory patterns and lots of information about the Marine Park itself. Like the other facilities here, the bird hide was also built by the Won Wron prison work gang, members of Toora Community and Parks Victoria.
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