Rainbow was settled over 100 years ago on land deemed uninhabitable but is now an agricultural area of significance for Victoria and Australia. Sited close to Lake Hindmarsh, the largest freshwater lake in Victoria, a lake popular for fishing, boating and water skiing. The town took it's name from the nearby crescent shaped hill "Rainbow Rise", at the time, covered with colourful wildflowers. Things to Do and See There are a number of murals on the buildings in Federal Street. Overlooking the town and fields of Rainbow, is the National Trust classified Yurunga Homestead (1910), a mansion built in the heady days of Federation. Other notable sights include Pasco's Cash Store (1928) and 10kms outside of town at Lake Hindmarsh an historic fishermans hut. West of Rainbow, over the Outlet Creek, is Pella's St John's Lutheran Church (1911), a building steeped in history and grandeur. It houses an old pipe organ, one of only two in the state. The complex was built by pioneer Lutheran families of German descent from hand quarried limestone. Victoria's largest natural freshwater lake, Lake Hindmarsh, is 10km from the Rainbow township. It is 22km long and about 11km wide and provides white sandy beaches and camping spots under fringe river gums. Nearby are the Wyperfeld National Park and The Big Desert Wilderness Park. See our National and State Parks page for a full description. Events Iris Festival - October How to Get there Rainbow is approximately 387kms north-west of Melbourne Melways Ref: 520 A4 Pop: 560 Visitor Information Hindmarsh Shire Council Tel: (03) 5391 1811 Click Here to View Map Back to Top     Canola fields