KANGAROOBIE
HISTORY
Seven generations of the Bowker family have farmed and lived at Kangaroobie, and their stories are interwoven with the region’s colourful history – from the Ballarat gold rush to rescuing and sheltering shipwrecked migrants.
The Bowker family’s Australian story began in 1841 when Christopher Hodgson Bowker arrived in Melbourne from Yorkshire, England, at the age of 24. He was an assisted migrant who set up a forge on the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Streets, in what was to become the heart of Melbourne’s central business district.
Christopher later lived in Western Victorian towns and his son John showed great ingenuity as a lad by laying a trail of peas to coax pigs to walk overland from Camperdown to the Ballarat goldfields.
The family became squatters at Princetown before selecting land which they named Kangaroobie – a word for kangaroos’ resting place.
Life on Kangaroobie has never been short on adventure – the Bowker family was involved in helping a number of shipwreck survivors.
When the Fiji, bound for Melbourne with its cargo of dynamite, 400 pianos, porcelain, china and furniture, was swept onto a reef in 1891, 11 of the 24 crew drowned off what has become known as Wreck Beach – a short distance along the coast from Kangaroobie. The Bowkers cared for 10 survivors for months after they were shipwrecked.
They also helped Eva Carmichael, one of only two survivors of the 54 crew and passengers, from the Loch Ard, which ran into rocky reef by Mutton Bird Island on June 1, 1878.
John Bowker lived at Kangaroobie until his death in 1928, when his sons took over the farm, producing cheese from cows’ milk, and growing turkeys, pigs, sheep and beef cattle.
In 1955 John’s grandson Athol and his wife Winsome moved to Kangaroobie with their sons Bill and Bob.
Bill and his wife Jenny ran the farm from 1978, when they decided to diversify and offer accommodation for large groups.
They reinvented Kangaroobie as a school camp, education and holiday destination in the hope that children and families from Australia and overseas would have the chance to reconnect with the land and the farming lifestyle, in a world-class location – surrounded by the Shipwreck Coast, diverse ecosystems and natural bushland with abundant wildlife.
In 1998 Bill and Jenny’s son Matt, a trained teacher, took on Kangaroobie – both the farm and accommodation. Matt and his wife Sophie have continued the Bowker family tradition where they now live, work and raise the seventh generation of Bowkers – their young sons Lachlan, Christopher and Charlie.
ACCOMMODATION
Kangaroobie is a contemporary, purpose-built camp catering for groups of up to 190.
For students we have 12 rooms, which each have 12 bunks, plus dedicated bathrooms for girls and boys. Have a look at Kangaroobie’s room plan.
Our accommodation is disability friendly.
For teachers and group leaders there are six ensuited rooms, two with four beds and four with six beds in each.
There is a bush campsite at Kangaroobie, and another campground is also available at Princetown Recreation Reserve.
One of our camping activities includes rafting across the Gellibrand River, walking through the Great Otway National Park and setting up camp at Princetown. Ask us about this activity as part of your Five Day Program.
For mealtimes and evening entertainment Kangaroobie has a large communal hall which features a fantastic sunken fireplace which is encircled by cosy seating.
In the grounds immediately outside the accommodation there area a number of free-time activities including football, soccer, cricket and GaGa Ball.
And there’re acres of beautiful, lush fields to relax in and enjoy the stunning views of the iconic Shipwreck Coast looking towards the Twelve Apostles.
Kangaroobie sits above the Gellibrand River and has commanding 360° views of farmland, the coast, the river and wetlands.
FOOD
Kangaroobie keeps kids hopping on the education and activity fronts all day – helping them to build a healthy appetite.
And our dedicated kitchen staff pride themselves on being able to keep kids satisfied and nourished, catering for dietary and cultural needs.
Our kitchen staff use high quality ingredients to create three nutritious meals a day – not to mention morning and afternoon tea, and supper. A range of seasonal fresh fruit is freely available all day.
We aim to cater for all food intolerance and allergies, halal food is available, as is vegetarian food, and we are nut aware.
Our standard breakfast menus include cereal and porridge, eggs or pancakes, fruit, baked beans & spaghetti.
Damper is served with homemade soup at lunchtime – and the favourites with Kangaroobie campers are vegetable, chicken noodle, and pumpkin. We also serve baked potatoes with a choice of toppings – butter, sour cream, cheese or coleslaw. Homemade sausage rolls and Kangaroobie-style pizzas also feature regularly on the menu. Fruit platters are always served after lunch.
Hearty main courses Roast beef with vegetables, homemade meat pie with vegetables, barbecued meats and salad, and spaghetti bolognaise are among the dinner-time favourites.
Our desserts include chocolate pudding, apple crumble, fruit salad, and peach or apricot sponge.
Kids are treated to a variety of homemade slices, biscuits and cake for morning and afternoon tea.
Supper includes hot chocolate and a sweet treat.
Kangaroobie Standard 5 Day Menu Plan
BREAKFAST
Toast (Vegemite, jam & honey available)
Cereal (Cornflakes, Weetbix & muesli)
Porridge
Eggs (fried & scrambled) or pancakes
Tinned fruit
Tinned baked beans or spaghetti
LUNCH
Homemade soup – vegetable, chicken noodle or pumpkin with damper
Baked potatoes – includes butter, sour cream, cheese, coleslaw toppings (or homemade sausage rolls, homemade pizza)
Sandwiches – with a variety of fillings
Fruit platter
DINNER
Spaghetti bolognaise
BBQ – includes sausages, hamburgers and variety of salads
Home made meat pie with vegetables
Roast beef with vegetables
DESSERT(served with or without cream)
Self saucing chocolate pudding
Apple crumble
Fruit salad
Peach/Apricot sponge
MORNING/AFTERNOON TEA
Homemade slices – Anzacs, chocolate slice, jam slice etc.
Cake – chocolate, apple, plain etc.
SUPPER
Hot chocolate & cake
Fruit is available at all times.
WHAT TO BRING
We spend a lot of time in the great outdoors at Kangaroobie and encourage you to bring appropriate walking shoes and clothing that will keep you warm in the cooler months, cool in the summer months, and dry all year round.
However, the weather can be changeable on the southern coast of Australia – so please be sure to bring everything listed on the Kangaroobie checklist – no matter what the weather bureau is forecasting!
Waterproof raincoat
Shoes
(boots / sneakers / gumboots – at least 3 pairs as one will get wet)
Socks & underpants
×5
Pyjamas
Tracksuit pants
×2
Jeans/long pants
×1
Shorts
×2
Warm jumpers
×2
T-shirts
×5
Hat or cap
Long-sleeved shirts or tops
×1
Sleeping bag and sheet
Pillow & pillowcase
Towels
×2
Toiletries
(soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, shampoo)
Insect repellant
(roll-on or pump, not aerosol)
Sunscreen
Torch
A plastic bag
(to put wet/muddy clothes/shoes in)
Hand sanitiser
