Be Bushfire Smart

Today, the Murray is a major source of domestic water for around 1.25 million people and is often referred to as the 'food bowl' of Australia. Some products of Murray irrigation are fruit (fresh, dried, canned and juiced), dairy produce, vegetables, rice and other cereals, wine, meat and vegetable oil and many are exported.

Lake Hume
Lake Hume, 16 km upstream of Albury, is the main operating storage of the Murray River system and more than four times the size of Sydney Harbour. Fishing from boat or bank is the main attraction. The waterway attracts catamarans, dinghies, windsurfers and powered crafts.

Lake Moodmere
A natural lake declared a wildlife refuge in 1889, Lake Moodmere has a wide range of bird life. It is also the venue for the Moodemere Masters Ski Tournament held towards the end of January. There is no camping at Lake Moodmere.

Lake Mulwala
More than 15 km in length, Lake Mulwala is a haven for birds such as pelican and ibis and native fish and is used all year for a variety of water sports. Work on the lake began in the 1930s with the damming of the Murray River at the Yarrawonga Weir as part of the Murray-Darling Irrigation Scheme.

Today, the lake is a mecca for holiday makers with tourist resorts and clubs along the shoreline. The eastern end of the lake offers shelter among the dead trees while the western end has a large expanse for sailing and boating. Murray cod, trout and yellow belly seem to thrive in the lake.

Activities include picnicking, birdwatching, fishing, boating, sailboarding, water-skiing, swimming, canoeing, sailing, and paddle boat cruises. Access is from the Murray Valley Highway, Yarrawonga-Benalla Road or Yarrawonga-Wangaratta Road.

Barmah Forest
Listed as a Wetland of International Importance, Barmah Forest comprises 290 square kilometres of River Red Gum and is home to abundant native birds and animal life. Throughout the forest are reminders of Aboriginal habitation with canoe trees, middens and burial sites visible.

West of Yarrawonga
West of Yarrawonga are many access points to the river. Earth tracks lead from the Murray Valley Highway through state forests to picnic areas with fire places and tables and to beaches. Bush camping is allowed. Cullen, Brears or Browings Roads lead to Rifle Butts, Green Bank and Chinamans beaches. Forges Bend Track leads to Forges No. 1, Forges No. 2 and Little Bruces Bend beaches.

Byramine Homestead
Byramine Homestead is off the Murray Valley Highway, 15 km west of Yarrawonga. It has an unusual octagonal design with a central fortress room that was used for protection against bushrangers and other intruders.

Cobram Regional Park and Cobram Forest
Combram Regional Park is 20 km west of Cobramoff the Goulburn Valley Highway via Finley Track. This small section of park and forest is closed to vehicels, but a walking track leads past a small billabong through open river red gum forest to the Murray River.

Canoeing, kayaking and rafting
Scope for these activities ranges from an extremely wild length of the river north of Tom Groggin, regarded as one of the most demanding stretches of white water in south-east Australia, to ideal conditions for beginners and family groups on the river from Bringenbrong Bridge to Walwa/Jingellic. Downstream from Lake Hume, the Murray River provides excellent flat water canoeing experiences.

Camping
Corryong to Wodonga: Camping grounds at Clarkes Reserve, north of Tintaldra, Neil's Reserve, between Tintaldra and Walwa, Jingellic Reserve, north of Walwa and Burrowye Reserve at Burrowye.

Barnawartha North to Lake Mulwala: Camping grounds at Richardsons Bend, Doolans Bend, Gooramadda State Forest (Police Paddocks provides excellent summer campsites), Shaws Flat (north of Rutherglen) and Granthams Bend.

Lake Moodemere: There is no camping at Lake Moodemere itself, but camping grounds around the area are Stantons, upstream of Lake Moodemere, Lumbys Bend and Taylors Bend near Dugays Bridge and Parolas (forms part of the Lower Ovens State Forest).

Be self-sufficient with drinking water. Carry it in and/or know how to make untreated water safe for drinking. For more information contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit the Department of Human Services Better Health website www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

After the exploration of the river by Sturt and Mitchell in the early 1830s, stockdrovers began following the Murray to the newly founded town of Adelaide.

The development of some Murray River townships was also linked to the Gold Rush. Corowa had a rapid population growth due to the discovery of gold and the historic townships of Chiltern and Beechworth lie within easy reach of the Murray River. Wahgunyah became an important river port and the district supplied meat and grain to the goldfields.

In the mid 1850s Customs Houses were established at each crossing point along the Murray so the colonies could gather, excise and regulate imported goods. A conference held at Corowa, to call for free trade between the colonies by the abolition of custom duties, was a catalyst which eventually led to Federation.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

The Murray River's vegetation is dominated by both the River Red Gum and Black Box woodland (on the higher outer parts of floodplains). Red Gums are perfectly suited to the Murray River environment, since they are reliant on regular flooding to regenerate and grow.

• Visitors are encouraged to use gas stoves.
• You are permitted to light a fire for cooking or warmth provided: it is in a properly constructed fireplace or or trench 30 cm deep (trenches must be backfilled before leaving); all flammable materials within a distance of three metres is removed; it is no larger than one square metre; and the fire is not left unattended and is completely extinguished with water before leaving.
• No fires, including portable gas fired appliances (even if in tents, caravans or vehicles), can be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
• Satisfactory toilet facilities must be provided. Portable chemical toilets are recommended, but sanitary pans and earth pit latrines are acceptable if well maintained. Earth pit latrines and disposal pits must be located at least 100 metres from the high bank of any river, creek or billabong and be backfilled before leaving.
• Take rubbish with you or dispose at colleciton points where provided. Do not litter or bury rubbish. Do not place bottles, cans or other rubbish on camp fires.
• Firewood for camp fires may only be collected from dry, fallen timber lying on the ground. Trees are not to be felled or damaged.
• A license is required to remove firewood or any forest produce. All native trees and plants are protected.
• Dogs, where permitted, must be kept on a leash at all times and must not disturb other visitors.
• Camps must be at least 20 metres from any river, creek or billabong.
• Camping is not permitted in 'Day Visitor' areas or on licensed water frontages adjacent to private property.
• Permanent structures or camps and unauthorised works are not permitted and camp sites must be vacated when so directed by a Parks Victoria Ranger.
• A six week limit applies to camping except where otherwise indicated by signs.
• A Victorian Amateur Fishing License is required for fishing in waters south of the Murray. Contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for further details. For information regarding fishing on the Murray contact NSW Fisheries.
• Off road use of any vehicle, including motorbikes, is prohibited. Normal road and traffic laws apply (including licensing and registration).
• Tracks may be closed during wet weather or flooding.

• Avoid resting, picnics or camping under or close to River Red Gum trees. They may drop heavy branches at any time without warning. Find out more about how to avoid tree risks here.
• Take extreme care when swimming in the Murray as it can be hazardous because of fast currents, cold water, hidden snags and shifting sands.
• Do not dive or jump into the river or use any kind of swing attached to trees or other structures.

• Barmah State Park
• Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park
• Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
• Mount Granya State Park