Forty million years ago, through the forces of water and geophysical uplifting, the valley that cradles Australia's greatest river began to take shape. The Murray is a river whose character encompasses environmental beauty, rich heritage and history, busy townships and major regional centres, with amazing tourism and recreation experiences, and a world class agriculture and wine industry.
It creates a natural border between New South Wales and Victoria and is 2,520 kilometres long. It is fed by many tributaries, including the Darling and Murrumbidgee, on its journey from the Australian Alps before flowing through South Australia to the Southern Ocean. It sits in the Murray-Darling Basin, draining most of inland Victoria, New South Wales, and southern Queensland from the western side of the Great Australian Divide.
For millennia, Aboriginal people have relied on the river's abundance. The many various groups included Moorundie, Goodwarra, Paakantyi, Tongwillum and Yorta Yorta. The Ngarrindjeri people lived on and along the lands around the Murray and the Coorong and are, today, South Australia's largest Aboriginal community.
First discovered by European explorers Hamilton H. Hume and William H. Hovell in 1824, it wasn't until six years later, however that Charles Sturt navigated down the Murrumbidgee to encounter the Murray and named it after Sir George Murray, when his exploration party encountered the Darling River connection.
Paddle steamers were used to carry wool, wheat, and other goods up and down the river system including theMurray, Darling and Murrumbidgee Rivers. Since settlement of the river basin was so late, the introduction of the railroad came much sooner to the river towns and had a large impact on the steamers along the Murray. Irrigation was introduced in 1887 by Canadian's George & WB Chaffey around Mildura and Renmark. This greatly accelerated settlement and exploitation of the river's water supply.
In 1918, a commission was formed to manage water supply and it also coordinated the construction of storages, locks and weirs to reduce the effects of drought and flood. Today, the water flow is still managed by these locks and weirs on the river from Yarrawonga in Victoria to Blanchetown (Lock 1) in South Australia. Millions of people rely on the Murray as a source of water for domestic and industrial use and it plays a significant part in Australia's economy.
A diverse range of species can be found living in the basin, including emus, koalas, Western Grey kangaroos, Bearded Dragon lizards, red-rumped parrots, black swans, and pelicans. The Murray contains a range of freshwater fish such as the famous Murray Cod, Bream, Perch, Redfin along with the Murray River Yabby.
The redgum fringed reaches of the Murray River attract more campers than any other part of Australia. Naturally, water sports are one of the main attractions with a wide range on offer including water skiing, swimming and canoeing. The entire Murray River has much to offer. Explore the great outdoors in one of the many forests, marvel at the beauty of the wetlands or simply sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of Australia's greatest river, The Murray.
Murray trip visit Discover Murray website www.MurrayRiver.com.au
