History of Yarram -Yarram Yarram, as it was known until 1924, found its origins in an Aboriginal phrase thought to mean 'plenty of water' or 'billabong'. -The site of Yarram had first been sold for farming lots in 1853. It was this private land originally named Barkly, which later developed and became Yarram Yarram. - John Carpenter, an early settler, established the town's first industry when he built a flour and saw mill on the north side of the Tarra River. - The first store was opened by Charles Devonshire in 1857. John Walsh had another store and William Ostler built a shanty on the site of the Yarram Hotel. The township grew quickly. - In October 1859 W.H. Waite noted that whereas three years earlier there were few houses and not an infant to be seen, the population had quadrupled "and children have sprung up so fast that almost every female between 15 and 50 is to be seen nursing a fine looking infant or well-shaped little yearling." - The town of Yarram was gazetted in 1893. The town's growth related to the preference of local farmers for Yarram as a marketplace, rather than the more distant Port Albert. Historic buildings - Some of the older buildings in town include the Court House, the Regent Theatre (1928), the Yarram hotel, built in 1912 and more recently renovated as a government office, and "Hawthorn Bank" on Pound Road, an early and intact wattle-and-daub cottage, although the original shingled roof has been replaced with iron. *Information on the history of Yarram was gathered from the Yarram and District Historical Society Inc homepage. The Town Today - Facilities in town include a swimming pool, a large range of accommodation, shopping facilities, and a lovely 18-hole golf course frequented by many kangaroos. - Fishing is a major attraction in the area and well catered for, with boat ramps, hire and charter boats available at nearby Port Albert. Town Facilities * Banks * * ANZ - Branch and ATM - 167 Commercial Road * Bendigo Bank - Branch and ATM - 223 Commercial Road * Hospital * * Yarram and District Health Service * Internet * * Yarram Library - 156 Grant Street ........ Mon, Thur, Fri - 10am to 6pm ........ Tues, Wed - 2pm to 6pm ........ Sat - 10am to 12pm * Laundry * * Coin Laundry - Commercial Road * Petrol Station * * BP Service Station - 325 Commercial Road. * Supermarket/General Store * * Foodworks - 261 Commercial Road Quick facts - Population approximately 1,800 - 220 kilometres south-east of Melbourne - Tarra Bulga National Park Activities and attractions - Wander around the historic town buildings such as the Tarraville Church (1860). - Travel to Tarra Bulga National Park. - 18-hole golf course How to get there Yarram is approximately 3 hours from Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway.