Shepparton

Town in Victoria, Australia, 182 km/113 mi north of Melbourne; population (1996) 31,934 (with neighbouring Moovoopna). Shepparton is situated in the centre of the fruit-growing area of the Goulburn valley, in one of the main districts irrigated by the River Goulburn, and it is known as Australia's ‘fruit capital’. Wine and dairy products are also produced, and industries include engineering, sawmilling, metal-casting, ham and bacon canning, and fruit canning for export. Tourism is also important, with over 500,000 tourists visiting the town annually.