Overview
Mathoura is just 40km north of Echuca-Moama and is a gateway to the World's largest redgum forest, wetlands of international significance and has arguably the best access in the region to the Murray River, with good dry weather roads and no high banks.
Mathoura began as a market garden and a pub on a drovers' track in the mid-1800s, and built itself as a timber source for the developing young nation of Australia. Today, it has become a mecca for lovers of a gentle country lifestyle and those seeking peaceful holidays amid forests, waterways and a beautiful natural environment.
History
As the overlanders trekked Queensland cattle and sheep to Adelaide and Melbourne markets, the runs they passed through soon began to sprout services and settlements. Mathoura Station was one such run. It was taken up by Peter Stuckey in l842 and comprised 60,000 acres.
Around l853 a Yorkshireman named William Carter had taken over a rough pub known since at least 1848 as Ward's Inn and established a vegetable garden on the Gulpa Creek on part of Mathoura Run. Two years later he replaced the original slab inn with a brick building and named it "Redbank Inn".
In l858 the inn became a coach changing station for Taylor & McKenzie's coaches running between Deniliquin and Moama. It prospered because of its location at the junction of major stock routes and between the NSW and Central Victorian goldfields. It was described by the Melbourne Argus as 'one of the best inns for accommodation between Wagga Wagga and Melbourne.' Soon a small settlement named 'Redbank' grew up around the inn, which sat on top of the red ridge forming the edge of the Cadell Tilt and the west bank of the Gulpa Creek.
The Cadell Fault is a ridge running from Echuca to Deniliquin that was formed when the land was thrust upwards by earthquakes perhaps 10,000 years ago; not long in geological terms.
This uplifted section of land diverted the Murray River's western flow, with the new western wall of earth holding back water in flood times, to create the new flood plains and a complex system of lakes and creeks. This produced ideal conditions for the establishment of what is now the largest river red gum forest in Australia. The Cobb Highway runs along the uplifted portion, some l5 metres above land east of the fault, making it possible in some places to look directly over the canopy of trees growing on the lower level.
In l865 Henry Burton, Australia's "Father of the Circus", who formed Australia's first touring circus in 1850, bought the Redbank Inn where he wintered and trained his animals in a special ring located on the banks of the Gulpa Creek behind his hotel. In l867 he became Mathoura's first postmaster and remained there, still touring his circus, until l882.
Mathoura's history owes much to the timber getters, sawmill operators and charcoal producers who cut and processed the region's renowned River Red Gum - Eucalyptus camaldulensis . In those days Mathoura's population was clustered around the inn with a sawmill on the creek, the Mathoura Hotel and a flour mill operating nearby.
The timber's durable qualities made it a prized and versatile commodity for fencing, house building, railway sleepers, wharf piles and paddle steamers. Red gum blocks from Mathoura once paved the streets of Melbourne.
Attractions
The collectively known Barmah-Millewa Forest covers some 70,000 hectares and is the largest Redgum forest in Australia. Frequent flooding has created a vast mosaic of swamps and lagoons known as the Millewa Wetlands. The area is home to hundreds of tree, plant, bird and animal species and is a great playground for visitors to explore.
The Murray and Edward Rivers and the Gulpa Creek are all within 10km of Mathoura and are prized by anglers throughout Australia as fishing grounds. The Gulpa Creek Reed Beds Bird Observatory is a world class bird watching facility, providing accessible viewing of exceptional birdlife, when the wetlands are flooded.
The section of the forest known as Gulpa Island offers more bird-watching opportunities particularly along the sand hills where you may see the beautiful Superb Parrot and many other native birds.
Experience one of the many forest walks and drives on offer, utilise the picnic sites and barbeque facilities available, go camping, canoeing, swimming, play golf or tennis, wander along the heritage walk, enjoy wine tasting or learn more about the region along the Murray Valley Trail.
The Mathoura Visitor Centre can provide maps and information required to make the most of any visit to the Mathoura and Picnic Point area.
Accommodation
Accommodation is available in town or at picturesque Picnic Point on the banks of the Murray River. Camping is also permitted throughout the forest where there are many free-of-charge established camping areas.
Further information can be obtained from the Mathoura Visitor & Business Centre on 03 5884 3730 or visit www.mathoura.nsw.gov.au
Visitor Information Centre
- Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre
- 23 Moama Street (Cobb Hwy)
- Mathoura NSW 2710
- Ph: 03 5884 3730
- Email: redgumbranch@murray.nsw.gov.au
- www.mathoura.nsw.gov.au