Immerse yourself in a natural wonderland . . . MATHOURA

Mathoura is located in the southern depths of NSW, 40km north of the Victorian border community of Echuca Moama. A spectacular gateway to one of the largest Red Gum forests in the world, Mathoura is an enchanted wonderland for lovers of the Australian bush, the river and the great outdoors.

The Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre

The forest, which stretches more than 70,000 hectares and includes wetlands of international significance, has arguably the best access in the region to the Murray River, with good dry weather roads and sprawling low river banks that feed out across gloriously flat sheets of water. Mathoura is a popular destination for those seeking the gentle country lifestyle and a peaceful retreat in the heart of a beautiful natural environment.

There is so much to see, touch and experience in our little slice of river paradise. Mathoura has a rich and unique history, a charming main shopping street, a vast array of public artworks and a popular calendar of events. There are local touring routes to explore, beautiful forests and waterways at every turn and old-world towns and villages to discover.

Visit the Mathoura Visitor Information Centre and the Mathoura website (www.mathoura.com) for maps, brochures, local advice and accommodation information and bookings. Fact sheets are also available for collection detailing the story behind the region’s local timber heritage, the forests, local history, the Cadell Fault plus many more.

Mathoura Visitor and Business Centrewww.mathoura.com 23 Moama St (Cobb Hwy), Mathoura NSW 2710Ph: 03 5884 3730 Email: info@mathoura.com www.facebook.com/MathouraVIC

Echuca Moama Visitor Information Centrewww.echucamoama.com Freecall 1800 804 446. 2 Heygarth St, Echuca VIC 3564Ph: 03 5480 7555 Email: info@echucamoama.com www.facebook.com/echucamoamawww.youtube.com/echucamoama

Disclaimer: Murray Shire Council proudly brings you this guide to enhance your visitor experience. Murray Shire Council has made every attempt to ensure that details are correct at the time of printing but accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracy or misinterpretation, whether by inclusion or omission. *Images opposite page supplied by NSW National Parks (OEH Gavin Hanson / OEH D. Finnegan).

NATURAL FEATURESFrequent flooding over the millennia has created a vast mosaic of swamps and lagoons, known as the Barmah-Millewa Wetlands. These have been recognised under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international significance. The area is home to hundreds of species of birds, animals, plants and trees.

The Cadell Fault is a ridge running from Echuca to Deniliquin. It was formed when the land was thrust upwards by earthquakes, tens of thousands of years ago. This uplifted section of land diverted the Murray River’s western flow and it is claimed to be one of the world’s most spectacular examples of seismic activity altering the course of a river.

A few hundred yards upstream of the Picnic Point Boat Ramp, those traveling by boat can experience a natural phenomenon, where the waters of the Murray River separate and flow partly north into the Edward River, or continue south along the Murray to Barmah and Echuca Moama.

The Reed Beds Bird Hide is a hidden gem located 5km from Mathoura along Picnic Point Road. This is a unique space to absorb and explore the rich diversity of birds while you wander along the board walk, turning the panels, using your smart phone to learn more, or just relaxing and being at one with the bird symphony.

Mathoura is home to one of the largest Red Gum Forests in the world which offers many popular sites with camping facilities including Edward River Bridge Campground and Swifts Creek.

Make Mathoura your base and lose yourself in the quiet peacefulness of the forests and waterways.

For maps and further information visit the Mathoura Visitor Information Centre, visit www.mathoura.com or call 03 5884 3730.

Reed Beds Bird Hide, Mathoura

PICNIC POINT

SHOPS

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WY

Edward St

Mitchell St

Moira St

Moira St

Bunnaloo Rd

Frome St

Gray St

Jones St

Picnic Point Rd

Frome St

West >

Stevens St West

Forest StConargo St

Mathoura St

Moam

a St

Moam

a St

Conargo StLivingstone St

Stevens St

Morris St

Morris St

Lawrence St

Herald St

Morris St

West >

Clifton St

< Carter St North

Gulpa St

North >

POLEYSBRIDGE

BURTONPEDESTRIANCROSSING

LISTONPEDESTRIANCROSSING

SKATEPARK

CRANESPEDESTRIANCROSSING

MurrayValley

Regionalpark

Gulpa Creek

TO DENILIQUIN

TO MELBOURNE

TO PICNIC POINT,EDWARD &MURRAY RIVERS

TO CEMETARY CO

BB H

WY

Picnic Point Rd

Mathoura Visitor & Business Centre

Skate Park

Bed & Breakfast

Post Office

Newsagency & Hardware

Café / Coffee Shop

Opportunity Shop

Butchers

Chemist

Hotel

Hairdresser

Community Centre

Police Station

Swimming Pool

Fuel

Picnic Bench

Public Toilet

Playground

Drinking Fountain

Shopping Precinct

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Lawrence St

Morris St M

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athoura St

Livingstone St

Conargo St

Drinking Fountain

Picnic Bench

Public Toilet

Playground

Wine Sales

Bird Observatory

Tourist Information

Footbridge

Town Map

Bowling Club

Off Road Track

On Road Track

Recreation Trails

MATHOURATown Map

LOCAL EVENTSMathoura boasts a number of popular annual events including the Dash for Cash, the Mathoura Fishing Classic, Mathoura Easter Fair and the Cadell Fair.

The Dash for Cash is an exciting prelude event to the Mathoura Picnic Point Fishing Classic and is held annually in January with limited places available for competitors. The popular Mathoura Fishing Classic, usually held the first weekend in March, draws fishing enthusiasts from across the nation, all vying to be in the running for a swag of major prizes. Both events are held at Tarragon Lodge (Picnic Point) on one of the most picturesque stretches of the Murray River, where there is an abundance of camping spots to pitch a swag or tent.

The annual Mathoura Easter Fair is held in the leafy Soldiers War Memorial Gardens on the morning of Easter Saturday. The event includes market stalls as well as kids games and activities. The ever popular raffles, BBQ and guest appearance by the Easter Bunny are also a permanent feature of the event. On Easter Sunday, don’t forget to take a trip to Picnic Point to witness the annual Murray River Duck Race. Bring your dog and enter in the very popular pooch parade while enjoying a BBQ lunch on the banks of the Murray River.

The Mathoura Cadell Country Fair is an annual event held the weekend before Melbourne Cup Day on the scenic visitor centre lawns. The fair features a wide variety of market stalls and activities, with great emphasis on entertainment for children including plenty of competitions, games, dancing and giveaways.

Top image supplied by NSW National Parks OEH / D. Finnegan.

HISTORY In 1842 a young squatter named Peter Stuckey claimed what we today know as Gulpa Island and all the land westward for 16 kilometres.

He named his run Mathoura.

A few years later a man known to us only by the surname Ward built a shanty on the bank of the Gulpa creek. It is shown on an 1848 map as Ward’s Inn and was the only place a thirsty overlander could get a drink between the Wanderer Inn (Deniliquin) and Maiden’s Inn (Moama).

Around 1853 a Yorkshireman, William Carter, took over from Ward and transformed the rough pub into a high-class establishment, rebuilt in brick and renamed the Redbank Inn. Carter added accommodation and a store to the establishment and planted a market garden, fruit trees and vineyard. Cobb and Co were known to change horses at the Redbank Inn during their travels.

Carter, expanding with borrowed money, eventually went broke. The inn then became the headquarters of Burton’s Circus, one of Australia’s favourite entertainment acts of the

time. For almost 20 years it was here the performers relaxed and practised new routines for their next tour of the colonies.

When the township was surveyed in 1858 it was named Mathoura after the pastoral run in which it was located, however the name Redbank persisted for many years.

In the 1860s timbercutters arrived and began harvesting the local river red gum forests.

Initially their market was limited by the cost of transporting the timber but the arrival of the privately-owned Deniliquin and Moama Railway in 1876 provided access to the world.

Railway sleepers were sent as far away as India, and mine props, bridge timbers and wharf piles were distributed all over Victoria.

For more than a century Mathoura prospered, its growth driven by the mighty red gum forests which, as the Deniliquin Pastoral Times remarked in 1889 ‘grows, apparently, as fast as it is cut’.

HERITAGE TRAILThe Mathoura Heritage Trail offers visitors the perfect opportunity for a self-guided tour to retrace the footsteps of the early pioneers. Pick up a brochure/map from the Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre.

Absorb our region’s old-time atmosphere through a visit to the historic Pioneer Cemetery and the McLaurin Family Cemetery which record the passing of some of the earliest settlers in the district.

Cranes BridgeMathoura Picnic Point Fishing Classic

Above & below: Mathoura Easter Fair

Below: Mathoura Mandarins (farm gate sales)

The Long Paddock Cobb Hwy Touring Route

The Long Paddock is a cultural heritage touring route that boasts eleven major public artworks - six of which are within approximately 100km of Mathoura. The route also includes 47 information panels along the way, which share the stories and legends of the stock route’s drovers, its history and its people. For your very own guided tour download the Long Paddock App on our website.

A Long Paddock brochure can be collected from visitor centres in the region, businesses along the route, or can be downloaded from www.thelongpaddock.com.au

BACKROADS TRAILThe Backroads Trail weaves together themes of heritage, environment, food, wine and culture through its signposted interpretive sites and small businesses along the way offering delicious produce and a comfy bed for an overnight stay. The trail features many extra attractions including stunning sculptures, leafy bushland walks and relaxing river cruises.

Grab a Backroads Trail brochure to guide you around the many businesses and attractions that form the trail’s rich tapestry. Brochures can be collected from visitor centres in the region, businesses along the trail, or can be downloaded from www.backroadstrail.com.au

Gulpa Retreat Tourist ParkType: Caravan Park 32 Picnic Point Rd, Mathoura0427 580 904gulparetreat@gmail.com www.gulparetreat.hopout.com.au

Happy Hermit CabinType: Self Contained Tarragon Rd, Mathoura0457 336 958

Liston Caravan ParkType: Caravan Park Morris Street, Mathoura03 5884 3730info@mathoura.com.au

Murray Bank Caravan ParkType: Caravan Park, Cabins Tarragon Rd, Mathoura03 5884 3518murraybk@mcmedia.com.au murraybankcaravanpark.com.au

Picnic Point Caravan ParkType: Caravan Park, Cabins Picnic Point Rd, Mathoura03 5884 3375picnicpointcp@bigpond.com picnicpointcaravanpark.com.au

Redgum Country Motor InnType: Motel Cobb Hwy, Mathoura03 5884 3404mathourainn@telaustralia.com.au www.redgummotel.com.au

Tarragon LodgeType: Cabins Tarragon Rd, Mathoura03 5884 3387mail@tarragonlodge.com.au www.tarragonlodge.com.au

Willow Bend Riverside CabinsType: Cabins Tarragon Rd, Mathoura03 5884 3388

Free campingFor maps and further information visit the Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre, visit www.mathoura.com or call 03 5884 3730.

Image 2 & 3 supplied by NSW National Parks OEH / D. Finnegan.

ACCOMMODATIONThe accommodation at Picnic Point recreation area is extremely popular and is a major drawcard in attracting visitors to the region year after year. A variety of accommodation properties are located on the Murray River, in peaceful surrounds with a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. For something closer to town there are also two caravan parks located on the Gulpa Creek, which offer great facilities in a lovely natural setting. Mathoura township offers travellers a motel and of course there are plenty of free, established camping spots in the forest (many with camp facilities).

Picnic Point, Mathoura The Old School Winery and Meadery, Backroads Trail

A spectacular gateway to one of the largest Red Gum forests in the world, Mathoura is an enchanted wonderland for lovers of the Australian bush, the river and the great outdoors.

Mathoura Visitor and Business Centrewww.mathoura.com Ph: 03 5884 3730

Echuca Moama VisitorInformation Centrewww.echucamoama.com Freecall 1800 804 446