BRIEF HISTORY
Murray Bridge has had many names during its time. The local Ngaralta
tribe of Aborigines called the area, Moop-pol-tha-wong, meaning “haven
for birds”.
The Ngaralta Aboriginals were one of
eighteen proud tribes known as the Ngarrindjeri, who lived in the area
from Mannum along the river, lakes and Coorong to Kingston in the south
east and Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The area was plentiful with food for the
hunters, who used spears, boomerangs and waddies to kill game.
They cut bark canoes from trunks of red
gums, the canoes being used for fishing and transportation along the
River into swampy areas, which abounded with bird life.
Aboriginal homes were wurlies made of sticks
and branches and then covered with reeds, grasses and bark.
White man adapted the Aboriginal name to
Mobilong
FIRST WHITE VISITORS
In 1830 Captain Charles Sturt and seven companions travelled down
the river in a whale boat. They were on a mission to see where the
westward flowing river went.
They discovered the large river, the river
was known as Moorundie to Aboriginals, Captain Sturt named River Murray,
then journeyed down its entire length.
On 8th February, 1830, the party camped
where Sturt Reserve is now.
When the group reached the mouth of the
river, they were disappointed to see that it would be too difficult for
ships to navigate because of sandbars and the unpredictable Southern
Ocean.
Sturt’s crew retraced their voyage, rowing
most of the way. His report recommended the Murray Valley to be ideal
for settlement.
The first paddle steamer on the River Murray
was the Mary Ann, built at Noa-no near Mannum by William Randell. The
Mary Ann steamed past Murray Bridge in March 1853.
Within the next 10 years, there were 30
steamers, and by 1880 about 100 steamers and 200 barges were engaged in
river trade on the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Darling Rivers.
When the first resident, Mr. George Edwards,
bought property, he called it Coninka. The property was near what is
known today as Hume Reserve, just north of the two bridges. Stock swam
across the river near the Edward’s house, and the place came to be known
as Edwards Crossing. At the same time, the site was also known as the
Turn-Off, because drovers would divert from the north to Adelaide, cross
the river, or follow the river south. As more people came to live in the
area, the settlement was called Mobilong.
When the first bridge was built over the
River Murray (1873-1879), the town became known as Murray Bridge, but
it was not until 1924 that the name became official.
RIVER TRADE
Land reclamation, irrigation & agricultural development opened up
the Lower Murray in the early years of the 20th century and Murray
Bridge became an important centre for trade and milk production. The
opening of the road bridge in 1879 developed the area, more business
was attracted when the railway crossed the river.
A milk factory was established in Murray
Bridge, milk being collected by boat from dairies situated along the
surrounding river flats. As the industry grew, paddle steamers were
replaced by a fleet of motor launches owned by the milk factory &
Farmer’s Union.
In 1853 the first
load of wool was towed down the Murray on the “Eureka” barge, this
opened the Murray River to steam navigation and commerce. Cargoes
carried included bales of wool, sheepskins, tallow, flour, tea, sugar &
tobacco. They also delivered mail and groceries to the farms along the
river banks
For further information, contact the Visitor Centre, which
is open seven days a week at
Murray Bridge Visitor Centre
3 South Terrace
Murray Bridge
Phone 08 8539 1142
Fax 0885 325 288
Email Us today!
