Albury Wodonga
Albury Wodonga is the gateway to the Victorian High Country and Murray Region. The Murray River meanders through the twin city, which is nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Great Dividing Range. Albury is part of New South Wales and Wodonga is in Victoria.
Albury Wodonga has always been a meeting place, first for indigenous people and later also for farmers. It’s a convenient stopover between Sydney and Melbourne, which was why the 19th-century Albury Railway Station was built. Today, you can meet locals at the Hume Murray Farmers’ Market, held each second Saturday of the month. Other events include sports tournaments and dragon boat races in February.
Find showcases of the city's greatest athletes and musicians, among other displays, at the interactive Albury Library Museum. The Albury Regional Gallery features the work of local artists; however, it is closed until September 2015 for a major redevelopment.
Get outdoors at one of the city's many parklands. See native and exotic plants at the 130-year-old Albury Botanic Gardens, which has a fun Children’s Garden. Stroll through Noreuil Park to see the region’s distinctive red river gum and plane trees. Get a more panoramic view from Monument Hill where there is a memorial dedicated to the men and women who served in World War I.
Experience the basics of Aboriginal life in the sanctuary’s traditional Wiradjuri campsite in the Wonga Wetlands bird sanctuary. Walk or cycle the Wagirra Trail along the river, which was also a Wiradjuri initiative. Another significant indigenous site is Mungabareena Reserve and Waterworks, which is great for swimming.
Just outside Wodonga is Block 19 Bonegilla, a former army camp that became a major migrant centre after World War II and is now a fascinating interpretive centre.
Albury Wodonga has good car, plane, train and bus links to Sydney and Melbourne. As a regional centre, it’s a good place to stock up for outdoor adventures in the region. In winter, ski down the slopes of Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Buffalo. On a sunny day, discover Victoria’s Rutherglen wine region and the quaint gold mining town of Beechworth.
