Yarrawonga
Yarrawonga Town Hall.
A pleasant stretch of the Murray and the attractive Lake Mulwala have made this border town and Mulwala (in NSW) extremely popular holiday resorts. In town there are Markets at the Showgrounds,& 3rd Sun,& each month. Jan: Rowing Regatta,& Powerboat Racing,& Rockalonga Concert. Oct: Linga Longa Festival. Dec: Murray Marathon.
Is a town in the Shire of Moira Local Government Area in the Australian state of Victoria. The town is situated on the south bank of the Murray River, the border between Victoria and New South Wales and is located approximately 265 kilometres (165 mi) north-east of the state capital, Melbourne. Yarrawonga’s twin town of Mulwala is on the other side of the Murray River. At the 2006 census, Yarrawonga had a population of 5,727.
Yarrawonga Post Office opened on 28 November 1874.
Yarrawonga is served by a broad gauge branch railway, though with gauge conversion of the line between Seymour and Albury, the line will be temporarily orphaned.
Yarrawonga’s main attraction is Lake Mulwala, formed by the damming of the Murray River, immediately downstream of Yarrawonga. The lake is a popular location for activities such as boating kayaking and fishing. There are two crossings of the Murray between Yarrawonga and Mulwala; across the weir (a stock route carrying a single lane of traffic); and a bridge over Lake Mulwala. This bridge contains an unusual bend and dip in the middle, a result of miscommunication between the two state governments.
The Yarrawonga Football Club participates in the Ovens and Murray Football League in the sport of Australian rules football, which has produced the likes of Barry Mitchell, Joel Smith, Ben Dixon, and Tom Lonergan.
Historically, one of the major industries in the Yarrawonga/ Mulwala area has been the explosives factory, which was constructed in Mulwala over 1942-43. It is now owned by French company Thales.
Federation Park Plan Approved
Federation Park
Moira Shire Council this week approved a plan for the redevelopment of Federation Park, Cobram. The plan will include retention of the log cabin in its present location, retention of the historic station and a section of the railway platform, a skate park, parkland and an open space area and car parking. Moira Shire Councillor Garry Jones, who has been associated with the project to redevelop the site for some time, said a wide variety of uses, together with expanses of open space, was provided to ensure the original intent of the park – to facilitate visitation to Cobram – was preserved and implemented. “This project involves a major financial investment by Council in the Cobram community, but it is the community itself and its personal investment in seeing the project proceed that has provided the drive and direction,” Cr Jones said. “Council received hundreds of written submissions to the project, and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide that input. Each will receive a letter of thanks for their efforts in the near future. “Federation Park will be a public space, a space for the community to use and appreciate, so it was important the community had a say in what would be included in the redevelopment.” The Federation Park project is a million dollar redevelopment. Council will seek funding for the implementation of the complete development plan throughout the next few years, but has already allocated a budget of $250,000 to construct the Dillon Street link.
Lady Murray Cruises, Yarrawonga
Cruise Lake Mulwala
Boat Shore
Whether it be our Lunch Cruise, that operates most days and consists of a BBQ and five tasty salads, or our 2 p.m. Lake cruise, take the time to sit back and relax with us whilst we cruise around the Lake. During the warmer months Dinner Cruises are also available. Sunset Cruises.
The Lady Murray is fully licensed, with disabled access, male and female toilets, and boomnetting available for the kids. For the more adventurous, try your talent on the karoake machine. Hens Nights,Birthdays,Christmas Functions,Kids Paties.
Finger Food Cruises,Romantic Dinner Cruises,Devonshire Teas, or any Special Occasions that you may require. We will send you a menu just email us for a more comprehensive MENU.
The Yarrawonga Mulwala Story
Early Settlement
The Yarrawonga Mulwala
In 1824, Hamilton Hume (Hume Highway fame) assisted his brother John’s widow to form the ‘run’ which eventually became known as Yarrawonga Station. (John Hume had been killed by bushrangers whilst living with his wife, Elizabeth, and their nine children in Gunning, NSW.) Elizabeth took with her plans of a home that had been drawn up by an English architect for use in India. The most unique aspect of the house is the octagonally shaped central room called the fortress which was designed to provide a clear view of all angles in case of attached from bushrangers or aboriginals. Elizabeth named her home, ‘Byramine’, meaning ‘rustic retreat’. The elm trees she planted remain today, the oldest elm trees in Victoria. ‘Byramine Homestead’ is open to the public. The village of Yarrawonga was founded in 1868, and by 1874 was large enough to justify the opening of a courthouse.
Before the railway was extended to Yarrawonga in 1886, paddle steamers plied their way as
Early Transport
far as Albury, transporting all kinds of general merchandise, including timber, wheat and wool. One such paddle steamer was The Pilot, reputed to be the slowest craft on The Murray. She ended her days in Lake Mulwala, near Capri Waters. Her paddle wheels were raised from the lake and are now on display at the Visitor Information Centre. Another paddle steamer that the people of Yarrawonga Mulwala were attached to was The Australien which also sunk in Lake Mulwala. It is presently being restored in Echuca. Punts were operated between 1850 and 1890 in order to access both sides of the Murray river between Yarrawonga and Mulwala. The building of the first bridge to span the Murray River at Yarrawonga saw the end of the punt operations. This wooden bridge survived until 1917 when construction of the existing concrete and steel bridge was begun and still serves the area. The dip in the southern end of the bridge, a feature much discussed by our visitors, was the result of poor communication between Victoria and NSW Governments. Construction of each end began independently and at different levels and the bridge had to be redesigned to smooth out the difference, resulting in the dip!
The Old Customs House
In the 1890′s the Colonies of Victoria and NSW had Customs Houses at the border crossings. They imposed import duties on goods such as grain products and livestock taxes moving across the border. The Yarrawonga Mulwala Customs House, restored to its original condition is located on the Yarrawonga side of the road bridge, next to the Visitor Information Centre.
Population
Yarrawonga’s population has grown from 366 in 1881 to 5953 in 2001.
Mulwala’s population in 2001 was 2217.
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