Heritage & Culture

The Murray is more than just a river, it’s an integral part of Australia’s colonial history and helped shape the country as we know it today. It’s the birthplace of Federation and home to iconic paddle steamers that transported essential goods. Visit historic river ports Mildura and Echuca Moama to cruise on a piece of history.

This beautiful region is blessed with a number of historical and heritage sites. Explore the colonial grandeur of the Albury Railway Station and visit the hideout of infamous colonial bushranger Dan ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan near Culcairn. While there, pop into the Culcairn Hotel, a classic railway pub built in 1891.

Just east of Culcairn is Holbrook, named after the first submariner to receive the Victoria Cross for bravery at the Dardanelles during the Gallipoli campaign in 1914. Visit the Holbrook Submarine Museum and climb inside HMAS Otway, a decommissioned Oberon-class submarine.

Heritage walks are a great way to explore historic towns. Follow the Federation Story self-guided tour around Corowa and visit the Corowa Federation Museum. Here you’ll learn about the 1893 Corowa Conference, credited with starting the popular movement towards a federation.

One of the best regional museums and galleries in Australia is MAMA – Murray Art Museum Albury in Albury. It has an impressive collection of indigenous works and is known for its bold contemporary exhibitions. Historic Tocumwal is home to one of Australia’s iconic ‘big things’ – the Big Murray Cod – and World War II aviation heritage.

The Murray is part of the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’s food bowl, and is rich in agricultural history. In Henty, learn the story of farmer Headlie Taylor, who revolutionised grain harvesting in 1914, at the Headlie Taylor Header and Blacksmith Shop Museum. Then get a taste of country life at agricultural shows, farmers markets and festivals.