Great little spot near the great Murray River
Cohuna situated on the Murray Valley Highway between Echuca Moama and Kerang, is a bustling township with a strong commercial centre. The picturesque main street is situated opposite the Gunbower Creek (which forms Gunbower Island) providing an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch in the park.
Cohuna’s modern shopping centre has a diverse range of shops, cafes and restaurants, Historical Centre with archives, a Museum, and an Information Shelter. Cohuna is an ideal base from which to explore the Gunbower Island State Forest, through to the Murray River and is a popular destination for bird watchers, especially during the spring nesting season.
Cohuna caters for the canoeist, camper, fishers, bushwalker, birdwatcher or water-skier with a well-maintained ski run on the Gunbower Creek close to town.
Cohuna Lifestyle
What makes the Cohuna lifestyle different
Cohuna is situated on the Murray Valley Highway, between Echuca and Kerang, and is a bustling township with a strong commercial centre. The picturesque main street is situated opposite the Gunbower Creek, which forms Gunbower Island – a large and forested island supporting a diverse system of native animals and birds.
Activities and attractions
Cohuna has it all. Everything from Watersports to Museums.
Major events
Cohuna Bridge to Bridge – February.
The Murray River
Australia’s longest river, stretching approximately 2,500 km
Quick facts
A little about Cohuna
Situated on the Murray Valley Highway, between Echuca and Kerang, and is a bustling township with a strong commercial centre. The picturesque main street is situated opposite the Gunbower Creek, which forms Gunbower Island – a large and forested island supporting a diverse system of native animals and birds.
Population approx.
North North East of Melbourne
Drive from Melbourne
Above sea-level
Tourist Information
The Golden Rivers Centre at Barham
(03) 5453 3100.
Major Attractions
Golf Course
The home of Stuart Appleby. Cohuna Golf Club offers manicured turfed greens, stunning rivergum lined fairways, full clubhouse facilities with full bar, Cohuna Bowling Club sharing facilities. Cohuna Golf Club is a much sought after course for golfing enthusiasts. Within 3 minutes from the fringes of Cohuna township, Cohuna Golf Course is tucked away in a beautiful and secluded pocket adjoining the Gunbower State Forest.
Museum
The former Scots Presbyterian Church has become the display centre for the Cohuna and District Historical Society. There are household items and memorabilia of the district, including a portion of a tree marked by Thomas Mitchell in 1836 on what was the first exploratory journey by Europeans into this part of the country.
There is also a separate brick building housing archives and photographs for those interested in family and local history research. The museum is located in Sampson St and is open on the first Sunday of the month from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. or any time by appointment, tel: (03) 5456 2422 or (03) 5456 2713.
Waterwheel Museum
Mathers’ Waterwheel Museum is located 9 km out of town. It houses a well-laid out collection of memorabilia from yesteryear. There is also an aviary of native birds. The Mathers cater principally to coach groups but individuals and small groups are also welcome. Follow the Murray Valley Highway towards Kerang for about 5 km, turn right onto Carwardines Rd (bitumen) just before Barr Bridge, then turn left onto Brays Rd when you come to the church. They are open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day but Monday, tel: (03) 5456 2473.
Grove Cottage
Grove Cottage Crafts and Tea Rooms is located 4 km south-east of town on the Murray Valley Highway, tel: (03) 5456 3233.
Gunbower Island
Gunbower Island is the section of land sandwiched between the Murray River and its anabranch, Gunbower Creek. 50 km long, it is reputedly Australia’s largest inland island. It runs from Koondrook to Torrumbarry Weir. The island is characterised by swamps, enormous river red gums and, on the higher ground, box forest. The beautiful red gums make excellent timber and have been milled since the 1870s.
Gunbower supports a diversity of native animals (including kangaroos, emus, goannas, possums and snakes) and 160 bird species. Still entirely in its natural state it is ideal for bushwalking, bush camping, birdwatching and canoeing.
Cohuna is the primary jumping-off point for those wishing to visit the island. Cohuna Island Rd heads off the highway at the roundabout and leads directly over the creek, which is adjacent the highway. Alternatively, if you head south along the Murray Valley Highway, there are a number of signposted side roads (unsealed but fine for 2WD when dry) which lead onto the island. Roads to and on the island are detailed in a map which can be purchased from the Cohuna office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in King Edward St (tel: 03 5456 2266) or from the main Melbourne office. You can also obtain brochures outlining the Gunbower Island Canoe Trail (5 km return).
Kow Swamp
On two occasions this century, the Kow Swamp Area has been the site of palaeontological finds of world importance. In the late 1960s about 40 human skeletons, dating back ten to fifteen thousand years, were discovered in a prehistoric burial site. Remarkably, the skulls possess archaic physiological features which predate those of modern humans and yet much older skulls found at nearby Lake Mungo do not. This has led to speculation as to whether Aborigines were the earliest inhabitants of the country. These wetlands support many waterbird communities and are popular with anglers.
There are two approaches to Kow Swamp from the north: via Cohuna or Leitchville. If you are coming from Cohuna head towards Echuca on the Murray Valley Highway for about 8 km then turn right into Pipers Rd. After about 6 km you will come to a T-intersection at the north-western corner of Kow Swamp. Turn right onto Pyramid Hill Rd. After about 50 m there is a cleared area on the left at Box Bridge where you can stop for a picnic.
If, instead, you turn left onto Kow Swamp Rd it ends, after several kilometres, at a T-intersection with Leitchville South Rd. Turn right and the road leads to a park with barbecue facilities on the swamp’s eastern shore.
If you are coming from Leitchville just follow Leitchville South Rd to the eastern shore or turn right onto the Kow Swamp/Pyramid Hill Rd for Box Bridge. Accommodation is available for 6 to 8 people at Swampy’s Holiday House, tel: (03) 5456 7528.
Mt Hope
About 10 km beyond the aforementioned Box Bridge, Pyramid Hill Rd passes Mt Hope which was climbed in 1836 by Thomas Mitchell on his exploratory journey into ‘Australia Felix’. The name derives from Mitchell’s hope that he might discern the sea from its peak. There are picnic facilities and a Mitchell plaque at the base of the mountain and it is but a short walk to the top of the hill from whence there are good views of the district and Kow Swamp.
Pyramid Hill and Terrick Terrick State Park
The main road continues on through Bald Rock to Pyramid Hill. If you take the turnoff to the left at Bald Rock, onto an unsealed road, it will lead you south through Terrick Terrick State Park (see entry on Pyramid Hill).