Wodonga

Wodonga Vic 3690 (Pop 40 500)
Pic: by Wongm

Wodonga is located on the Murray River and Hume Hwy 322 km n-e of Melbourne. Albury, its twin town, is 7 km away in NSW and on the other side of the Murray River. These border cities are usually referred to Albury-Wodonga with larger Albury being the more interesting, attractive and thriving. Original inhabitants were the Wiradjuri Aborigines with Wodonga (formerly Belvoir) becoming a busy river port for nearby goldfields around mid 19^th century. During WWII army camps were established nearby, with one, Bonegilla becoming Australia’s largest migrant centre between 1950s-1960s. Wodonga was declared the first ‘rural city’ in Australia in 1973. Border Country Fair (markets) 2^nd Sun each month. Albury Festival of Sport (Feb), Wodonga Show (Mar), Albury-Wodonga Wine & Food Festival (Oct), Bonegilla Festival (Oct), Albury-Wodonga International Festival (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
National Museum of Australian Pottery, South St. 19^th century Australian pottery collection. Open (10am-4pm) Sun/public hols. Sumsion Gardens, Church St pretty lake, gardens, birdlife and walking trails. Wiradjuir Walkabout, Aboriginal sites along the Murray shores.

Nearby:
Bandiana Military Museum (4 km s-e) large and interesting historical collection. Open daily. Mount Granya State Park (56 km east) eucalypt forests, steep rocky slopes, spring wildflowers, walking trails  and Mt Granya summit views. Hume Weir (15 km east) great walks and picnicking.

Visitor Information Centre: Lincoln Causeway. Tel (02) 6051 3650 or 1300 796 222.