Often known as Water Wheel Country because of its historic water wheels and whims, Tatura is home to many food processing enterprises. In January each year Tatura hosts International Dairy Week, the second largest dairy show in the world. Taste of Tatura Festival is held on the first Sunday in March. During World War II internment camps were conducted near the Waranga basin for German internees and Australians with Axis Powers' sympathies. The camps were garrisoned by 250 soldiers. One internee, of Nordic origin, operated a clandestine radio receiver. A German War Cemetery for deceased internees of both wars was opened in 1958 as an adjunct to the Tatura general cemetery. Tatura has a collection of World War II POW camps memorabilia, and there are Italian and German war graves at Murchison.
Location: 167 km north of Melbourne; 16km south-west of Shepparton
Origin of name: an Aboriginal word meaning "small lagoon".
Points of Interest: Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum; Dhurringile Homestead (1871), hub of a vast pastoral property opened up in 1836 and among the largest rural homes built in Australia. The 65-room mansion was used to detain German officers held in Australia as World War II prisoners.