One Murray River town is Mildura, which is considered “An Oasis in the Desert”. In order for this little town to thrive, water had to be pumped in from the Murray River. The Chaffey Brothers established a colony here in 1885, and they gave this area life with water.
The town of Mildura has produced some of Australia’s most delicious fruits since 1893. The most precious of all commodities grown in these Murray River region fields is that of the table grape and the wine grape. Citrus fruits are also grown and harvested in this area.
Some of the sturdiest architecture in the world is standing in the town of Mildura. For example, the Rio Vista is still erect. This is the home of WB Chaffey. It contains carefully crafted stained glass windows and remarkably artistic styled tile floors. Today this home is connected to the Regional Art Gallery, which displays art work of both prominent Australian and British Artists. Another Building, called the Grand Hotel still stands as well, that is well over a century old.
Another small town that is worth the time to visit during a vacation is the town of Numurkah. Numurkah is situated on the Broken Creek tributary of the Murray River, and is the site of one of Australia’s most widespread soldier settlement areas.
Some of the items worth seeing while visiting Numurkah are the vast collection of vintage machinery as well as two historic homes. One home that still stands in Numurkah is the Coonanga Homestead and Brookfield Historic Holiday Farm and Museum. These are both open to the public. Other collectible items worth taking a look at in this small town are the aboriginal stone tools and household equipment.
Strathmerton is another Australian town located near the Murray River. This is the town where the Kraft Cheese Factory Resides. This factory supplies half of the cheese of the entire continent of Australia. Kraft cheese is also known throughout the world. Strathmerton is also the home of the largest cacti gardens where an annual Mexican Fiesta always takes place.
Once you have visited all the other towns (and even if you haven’t yet) you will then want to pay a visit to the town of Robinvale. This small Murray River town is another very famous post-war settlement area. In fact, a soldier community center was created here. This town was named after a man named Robin Cuttle. He died in air combat near A French village called Villers Bretoneaux.
In Robinvale you can visit the vast numbers of vineyards and wineries. Two of the most well-known wineries are those of Mc William’s and Robinvale Wines. Robinvale also contains in it the largest windmill in the Southern Hemisphere. You would want to see that, as well as the fish ladder at Euston Weir. You will be amazed as you watch fish climb up the ladder to higher water levels.
Swan Hill is another place to visit in the Murray River area. Pioneers settled in this little town over 100 years ago. Some of the most remarkable attractions located in this little town include the sullen abandoned barge, as well as an old punt crossing. In addition you can visit homesteads and witness red gum wharfs that are waiting on traffic from another time.
The town of Swan Hill was named by Major Thomas Mitchell in the year 1836. He had spent a night here during which he did not sleep at all, when black swans cried distinctively from night to dusk to dawn. One of the homesteads that visitors can view while visiting Swan Hill is the Tyntyndyer, which is one of the oldest still standing. This was documented as one the first brick veneer home built in Australia.
When a punt began operating across the river from Swan Hill in 1847, Swan Hill really started to boom. Finally, there was a way to cross to Swan Hill, as this punt made the way. One of the most notable settlements in the Murray River area is located in Swan Hill. It is called Horseshoe Bend. This little area portrays the daily life and work of some of the first settlers to ever arrive in Australia.
If you are hungry while you visit in Swan Hill you can climb aboard the riverboat restaurant “Gem”. It is located at the entrance to the pioneer settlement. Here you can partake in yabbies, witchetty, grubs and kangaroo tail soup. You will have a chance to taste true Down Under dining while visiting one of the Murray River area’s most historical points of interest. Swan Hill is currently located about 336 kilometres from Melbourne.
These are only some of the places you can visit on your Australia Murray River travel adventure. You will not be bored on this trip, and you will even find more towns not mentioned to visit in this area.