The Murray River is Australia’s longest river at 2508 kilometres and it is the third longest navigable river in the world. It starts its journey in the Australian Alps. The Murray River now forms much of the border between Victoria and New South Wales. The river then meanders it’s way through South Australia before meeting the Southern Ocean at Goolwa near Adelaide.

Early morning on the Murray at Robinvale

Beginning at the start of The Cut – where the river broke through and formed an island the walk through river history begins.

Houseboats now inhabit the banks of the Murray. There are a series of nine boards along the path that meanders from here to the bridge. They tell the stories both old and new.

At one time the island now formed by the Cut was a place of significant culture and heritage to the local aborigines. On Bum Bang Island there are many canoe trees, middens and artefacts.

On the far left bank still visible are the remains of a barge that broke away in the 1939 flood. The Barge was once used to transport livestock across to Bum Bang Island.

The beauty of the river

River gums

Built in 1926 the home of the founders of Robinvale, Herbert and Margaret Cuttle sits facing the river. It is now a museum.

More river beauty.

Two sentinels stand outside the Civic Centre near the bridge. To the left John Egge came here from China and started working on riverboats in 1854 a year after the first boats travelled on the Murray. He became very successful and was very generous to those in need. The man to the right represents the woodcutters. In the paddlesteamer heyday over 200 boats travelled the Murray. Each burnt over half a ton of dry red gum an hour. Woodcutters supplied wood for the paddlesteamers. The Captains would take what they needed and leave a note to pay later.