State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes checks out the fish at the Arcadia hatchery.
The new family-friendly visitors centre at the Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery has become the latest tourism drawcard for the Goulburn Valley.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes officially opened the new Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Arcadia Visitor Centre, south of Shepparton on the banks of the Goulburn River, on Friday, December 15.
The new centre includes a public fish-out pond, playground and information to learn more about native fish, the history of fishing and Burnanga, the name for Murray cod in Yorta Yorta language.
Fishers of all skill levels can try their luck at the fish-out pond, which has been stocked with golden perch up to three kilograms, silver perch and Murray cod.
For primary school students that have recently received their free Little Angler Kit, it will be an ideal spot to test it out.
Free barbecue facilities provide a great day trip destination. For those camping nearby on the banks of the Goulburn River, the centre features free shower and toilet facilities.
The Arcadia hatchery was opened in 2021, funded by the Victorian Government’s Go Fishing Victoria plan, and will play a key role in Victoria aiming to stock 10 million fish before May 2024 on top of a record-breaking 26 million released into Victorian waters in the past three years, more than all other Australian states and territories combined.
Meanwhile, construction is under way on a project that will triple the size of the Arcadia site and enable it to produce up to six million fish per year.
“There are already so many reasons to come to the Goulburn Valley and the Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery Visitors Centre gives fishers and their families yet another to make the Goulburn River the destination for their next fishing trip,” Ms Symes said.
“Fishing is really important to communities here in the Goulburn Valley, so having a new tourist attraction that taps into that passion will make it a popular spot to wet a line — especially youngsters who have just scored a free Little Angler Kit through their school.”
The centre is at 200 Ross Rd, Arcadia, about a 20-minute drive south of Shepparton.
30°C