Pink Lakes
The town's main claim to fame is one of its sons, former Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett. It is a commercial centre for regional grain farmers. Ouyen is home to the Great Vanilla Slice Triumph annually in September. This event includes the Ouyen Criterium of the Tour of Sunraysia, The Mallee Art Show and Patchwork Display.
Location: at the crossroads of the Mallee, Calder and Sunraysia Highways, 102 km south of Mildura; 137 km east of the South Australian border via the Mallee Highway.
Origin of name: before European settlement the area is thought to have been occupied by the Wergaia Aborigines. Some believe the name Ouyen derives from the Wergaia term 'wuya-wuya', the name of a pink-eared duck, presumably once common in the area. Others say it means 'ghost waterhole'.
Brief history: Ouyen developed around a railway station, which was established in 1906 after the Melbourne to Mildura line was built. Blocks in the area were sold in 1910 and cleared for sheep, wheat and oats.
Natural features: Hattah-Kulkyne National Park; Pine Lakes State Park; Hattah Lakes System; Murray Sunset National Park (70 km west)