Fast facts
- Border town on the western shore of Lake Mulwala; twin-town to Yarrawonga, which lies on the Victorian side of the lake
- The lake was created in the 1930s by the building of a weir across the Murray River
- 654 km south-west of Sydney, population 2,200
Great specials
Why go there
Lake Mulwala is more than 20 kilometres long and the perfect venue for all sorts of water activities, including fishing and water-skiing.
History
The original inhabitants of the area were the Pangarang Aboriginals. Mulwala is thought to mean "big lagoon". Mulwala and its twin town of Yarrawonga emerged in the 1850s, thanks to prospectors heading from New South Wales to the Victorian goldfields. By the 1890s, Mulwalla-Yarrawonga was an important border crossing point. Lake Mulwala was created in the late 1930s when the Murray was dammed at the Yarrawonga Weir as part of the Murray-Darling Irrigation Scheme.
Things to do
- Scout the river beaches along the banks of the Murray and take a picnic lunch.
- Throw in a line on the lake and try your luck at hooking the elusive Murray cod.
- Cruise the lake on a paddleboat or paddle yourself by canoe.
- Get on your bike and pedal the bike paths around Mulwala and neighbouring Yarrawonga.
- Pick up the pace on water-skis or take a spin in a speedboat.
- Take a side trip to Boat Rock – one for the history buffs.
Events
- Mulwala Football Club Cod Opening Classic, in December, is one of the biggest fishing competitions in Australasia.
Don’t miss
- Pelican Island, a breeding ground for pelicans.
- The early farming artefacts at the Yarrawonga/Mulwara Pioneer Museum.
- The canoe tree at Kyffins Reserve.
- Camping along the river and lazing on one of the river's sandy beaches.
- A cellar door visit and tasting at one of the area’s wineries.
