The Murray River Tourist Information
The Murray River Tourist Information
Corowa, Rutherglen, Wahgunyah
Sydney may have a nice harbour but Rutherglen has a great port is the sign that greets the visitor to this historic town. Like the Murray River, Rutherglen has had its ups and downs. First the gold which made it famous as a boom town of the 1850s and 60s petered out and then, after wine replaced gold as the principal industry of the area, the vine disease Phylloxera, hit between 1895 and 1900. Rebuilding the wine industry was a slow process but the Rutherglen area has remained famous throughout the 20th century for its Big Reds and especially its fortified Madieras, Tokays and most notably Muscats which abound in this region.
Wine-loving visitors can tour the many vineyards by car, bus or even raise a thirst by doing the rounds on a hired bicycle. Courage, it is flat country. The Rutherglen wineries are noted for their festival weekends, with the Victorian Labour Day Weekend in March set aside for the Tastes of Rutherglen. But for the piece de resistance, the famous Winery Walkabout, you must wait until the Queens Birthday in June. Fine food is as much a focus of the region as the wine and the opportunity to stretch your tastebuds abounds in a wide variety of restaurants, clubs, pubs, delis and cafes.
Only 9 kms away is Wahgunyah (Koori for Big Camp) home to the old bonds store and All Saints vineyard with its imposing towers and crenellations giving it the appearance of a Scottish castle.
Local pioneer John Foord is remembered in the John Foord Bridge which is the Southern gateway to Corowa, a town famous in the history of Australia's Federation and with a Federation Museum to prove it. It was here that a motion was passed in 1893 which in turn led to the conference involving the premiers of the six colonies from which the Australian Constitution was formed. No small wonder the town claims to be the Birthplace of Federation.
Corowa is rich in parks and public areas with many situated upon the banks of the Murray River, including the Corowa Common which is a publicly administered area of 48 hectares of natural River Red Gums. The Common overlooks the rolling and magnificent club house facilities of the 27 hole Corowa Golf Club and if it is sport you're after, don't forget lawn bowls as both Corowa Bowling Club and the Corowa RSL boast top class greens, gaming, bar and dining facilities. Sports such as swimming, fishing, tennis and water skiing are perennial favourites among visitors.
Howlong, situated 22 kms up-river from Corowa-Rutherglen, is home to the Howlong Golf & Country Club which boasts 18 fantastic holes, neat clubhouse facilities and incorporates a motel on site.
So, if you're an active type or you'd prefer to tackle the delights of the region in a more relaxed fashion, remember its the welcome that you'll recall over and over again.
