Great little spot on the river

Koondrook and it's NSW border town of Barham form the commercial centre for the region’s timber, fat-lamb, cattle and dairy producers. You can catch the mood of the Murray with a leisurely stroll on the river walks, test your golf on a championship course, or take a swim in the man-made 80 ha Barham Lakes recreational park and picnic on the banks.

The twin towns service the extensive pastoral and horticultural regions, but they are also adapting to the increasing demands of tourists. Just out of town are the extensive river red gum forests of Koondrook and Perricoota.

This part of the Murray rewards anglers with the odd Murray Cod, golden perch, silverfish and catfish, while dobbers can land some very tasty yabbies. A track through the caravan park leads to a boat ramp and sand bar which form a safe swimming hole. Further on, Riverside Park is a popular picnicking area and features a log buggy of the type which were once hitched behind the bullocks to haul timber to the local mills. Canoes and paddleboats are available for hire.

For many years the twin towns were important trading stops on the river-boat journeys and also developed sawmills which provided red gum sleepers for the Victorian Railways. Arbuthnot’s Sawmill still operates in Koondrook. Koondrook developed faster than Barham, which was more isolated, until the towns were linked by the bridge over the Murray in 1904. A number of paddle steamers and barges were built from locally milled red gum.

Beyond the wetlands is Kow Swamp, where in the late 1960s anthropologists uncovered 13,000-year-old fossilised bones. Evidence that at least two distinct Aboriginal races had colonised Australia.

The history of these towns dates back to the early expansion of the pastoralists. In 1843 Edward Green took up 54 000 hectares of land in NSW naming it ‘Barham’. While across the river in Victoria, the Gunnawarra Run was established. Koondrook eventually was settled by farmers about 1881.

The development was hastened by the 26 km Kerang-Koondrook Tramway, built in 1889, which linked the river port of Koondrook with Melbourne via the railway link to Kerang. It was called a ‘tramway’ because only light rails were used. The tramway was not fenced in, nor were signals allowed. The line operated until 1976 for passengers and 1978 for goods. Competition from a sealed road to Kerang reduced its business and forced its closure. The old station remains in the middle of the main street, together with a replica of one of the last locomotives used on the line.

Things to see and do

Shannkirst Zoological Reserve Koondrook Track, Gunbower Island: The road south leads through ‘Victoria’s Kakadu’, the Gannawarra wetlands which support nearly 160 different species of birds and countless numbers of native fauna. It is also Victoria’s first commercial water buffalo and emu farm with other native wildlife and an animal nursery. Admission charged.

Barham Lakes East Barham Road. This is a wonderful 32 hectare lake complex constructed by the Barham Services Club. It includes sheltered picnic areas, playgrounds, barbecues, waterslide, sail boards and pedal boats, making it an ideal spot for a restful break. There are also wide expanses of lawn, 4.5 km of cycling/walking tracks and the lake system is stocked with native fish.

Brady’s Burls, Myall Road, Koondrook, specialises in crafting burls from river red gums into furniture, fruit bowls and ornaments.

The Redgum Refinery in Moulamein Road, Barham produces pieces ranging from fine furniture and ornaments to kitchen utensils.

Murrabit: A 25km drive north-east takes you to Murrabit which hosts a celebrated market on the first Saturday of every month.

Forest drives around Koondrook and Barham

From Barham scenic drives may be taken through three nearby areas of natural bushland. Sleeper cutters and charcoal burners are still to be found working in many places.

Campbells Island, near Murrabit, is bound by the Murray and Little Murray rivers, and an ideal location for fishing, swimming and boating.

Koondrook State Forest has excellent camping spots on the banks of the Murray and good fishing.

Barham | Swan Hill (Down River) - Kerang (nearby) - Cohuna (Up River)