NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

OUR BIG BACKYARD

Is there a city anywhere in Australia that has such a gloriously big backyard, full of so many natural wonders, as ours to play in?

The very best attributes of our great land, its snowy mountains and forested foothills, sprawling valleys and fertile plains, clear watered lakes and streams and its fascinatingly unique wildlife have all been drawn together by the majesty of the Murray.

They invite you to join them in enjoying our natural gifts. Here, nature visits you.

Our mighty river icon, fed by the pure waters of melting snow, is the liquid path through a vast fenceless zoological garden. Framed by the muscular forms of centuries-old River Red Gums, the Murray is home, feeding place and holiday resort to a vivid range of animals, fish and birds.

White plumed honeyeaters, rainbow bee eaters, cormorants and kookaburras, eastern rosellas, wood ducks and swamp hens can be seen sharing the air space and shallows, feasting and festooning themselves amongst the Murray’s billabongs and lagoons. While below the water, Murray Cod, platypus and tortoises share the shaded roots of the gums.

High up in the silver wattles squirrel gliders and brush tail possums launch themselves from tree to tree. While on the ground dusky moors and darters dance about hysterically.

Downstream, on the Murray floodplains, are the unique Wonga Wetlands, a natural conservation area with bird hides for the serious naturalist, that is home to over 130 species of birds.

For those who prefer to take in nature’s big beautiful brushstrokes, there is Huon Hill Lookout. Rising over 260 metres above the Murray valley, this easily walked to vantage point provides a panoramic view of Albury Wodonga, Lake Hume and the Kiewa River, three converging valleys, river plains and the surrounding mountain ranges in vividly natural technicolour.

 The Man-Made Magnificence Of Lake Hume

Spreading out over more than a million hectares of rugged countryside, Lake Hume is both a magnificent achievement of human engineering ingenuity, and a beautiful natural resource. Held back by a 1600 metre long concrete and earthen embankment, the Mitta Mitta and Murray Rivers have accumulated six times the amount of water of Sydney Harbour, creating over 350 kilometres of shoreline and inlets.

Lake Hume is a spectacular man made aquatic playground for families and fishermen, sailers and windsurfers. It also marks the place at which explorers Hume and Hovell crossed the Murray.

Maps & Guides

General Information