The Maffra Visitor Information Centre serves this beautiful country town of approximately 5,300 people, situated 220 kilometres east of Melbourne in the Wellington Shire. It is the centre of the rich Macalister agricultural, pastoral and dairying irrigation area.

The Maffra Visitor Information Centre is housed in the late-Victorian designed Maffra Courthouse which retains most of its original features.

In specially designed display cases, you will see an important collection of mineral specimens, gemstones and fossils, the result of a lifetime of collection by Italian immigrant, Pino Deriu. Leaving Italy in 1952, this fully qualified accountant came to Australia and soon joined his brother in prospecting for opal around Coober Pedy.

This led to a lifelong love of fossicking and trading minerals and gemstones. Pino’s preference was to leave most of the specimens he collected in their natural state rather than have them cut, polished or mounted, which adds to the scientific value of this amazing collection.

Call the Maffra Visitor Information Centre and they can provide you with information to assist you in your travel through Maffra, the Victorian high country and make your stay more enjoyable.

Maffra VIC’s volunteers look forward to making your visit a memorable one.