Nyora is a small township nestled in the rolling hills of South Gippsland.

The town roars to life during event days at the Nyora Speedway with a mix of racing events to enthral any motor racing enthusiast.

History

Nyora comes from the Aboriginal world for ‘wild cherry tree’.

Around September 1890, the Nyora Post Office opened, replacing an office nearby at Lang Lang East that had been open since 1885.

The town’s railway station and general store were featured in the popular ABC TV program Something in the Air, and the town also featured in the TV series ‘Emu Springs’.

Nyora is home to a former V/Line railway station by the same name, which served primarily as a freight and goods transfer facility as well as the branch station for the former Foster / Leongatha and Wonthaggi lines. The South Gippsland railway line (also known as the Great Southern Railway) was opened from Dandenong to Cranbourne in 1888 and extended to Koo Wee Rup, Nyora and Loch in 1890, Korumburra and Leongatha in 1891 and Welshpool, Alberton and Port Albert in 1892. The section from Alberton to Port Albert was closed in the 1940s.

The line was well known for its sharp curves and spectacular scenery, and was also one of the last lines to offer a ‘Mixed Passenger and Goods’ service in Victoria. On 24 July 1993, the last ever V/Line Passenger train ran back to Melbourne with P Class loco 18 hauling a FSH set (H type carriages) back to Melbourne.

The section from Nyora to Leongatha was transferred to the South Gippsland Railway in 1994 and ran for many years as a tourist railway. Trains have not operated beyond Cranbourne since January 1998.

The Wonthaggi branch of the line was built from Nyora to Wonthaggi opening in 1910 to serve the State Gold Mine, with a small extension of the line opening in 1917. The Wonthaggi line was eventually closed in 1978.

Town Facilities

Parks & Playgrounds
– Skate Park, Mitchell Street

Post Office
– Australia Post, 21 Mitchell Street

Supermarket
– Nyora General Store

Pharmacy
– Nyora Pharmacy, 44 Davis Street

Quick Facts

– Population: 1644 (according to latest Census data)
– Location 93 kilometres south-east of Melbourne

Activities & Attractions

– Nyora Speedway

– Great Southern Rail Trail