The Cobram Hotel

Cobram (including Koonoomoo)
Substantial town on the Murray River
The Murray River forms a substantial part of the border of Victoria and New South Wales. It also separates the NSW town of Barooga from Cobram which is located 244 km north of Melbourne on the Murray Valley Highway and 113 metres above sea-level. The population is currently about 4700

This is irrigated fruit and dairying country, hence the appellation 'Peaches and Cream Country' . In reality it is quite a diverse agricultural district which produces citrus fruits, vegetables, wheat, oats, barley, sunflowers, wool and beef cattle. Cobram also has an industrial section.

The area is thought to have been occupied by the Bangarang Aborigines prior to white settlement. Charles Sturt explored the Murray downstream of the present townsite in 1830 and, in 1838, he led a droving party with 300 head of cattle through the district, en route to South Australia. Cobram station was taken up in 1845 by Octavius Phillpotts.

The Land Acts of the 1860s opened up the district to small landowners. The first arrived in 1872 and by the 1880s most of the land was settled by wheat-growing selectors, although diversification had occurred by the end of the century as intensive wheat farming was depleting the soil.

A store, post office and school were in operation by 1880 and a sawmill was set up in 1883. In 1886 locals lobbied for the extension of the railway into the area as a terminus could act as a collection point and shipment centre for the wheat-growers. The site was chosen by a surveyor, and the selector who owned the land in question soon broke it up into town lots which went on sale in 1887. All of the usual infrastructure - hotels, businesses, a school, a doctor, a foundry, banks, a cordial factory, stores, churches and a newspaper - had appeared by late 1888 when the first train arrived. The railway signalled the decline of the river trade but the paddlesteamers were still a part of the passenger service in the early days of the town. A punt service was established in 1889 and the first bridge was opened in 1902.

The concept of irrigation caught on after the Chaffey brothers proved its workability at Mildura in the 1880s. Thus, in 1892, a local farmer set up a windmill to draw river water for the irrigation of his orchard and others followed suit. In 1915 a pumping station was built to irrigate several local properties. However, change was not dramatic and the town grew very slowly until the 1940s when a major boom occurred.

At the end of World War II the government decided to use the area for a major soldier settlement scheme. Moreover, Italian immigrants, who first arrived in the 1920s, began to migrate in far greater numbers after 1945 and they are a significant presence to this day. Consequently, irrigation surged forwards and many dairy farms and orchards were established.

In 1949 the Soldier Settler's League formed the Murray-Goulburn Co-operative for the manufacture and marketing of their dairy produce. It became the largest organisation of its type in the world and it is now one of the state's largest milk producers and a major player in the local economy. The Co-op set up a cheese factory at Cobram in 1951 which has since diversified and it is still a significant employer.

The Peaches & Cream Festival is held biennially around the Australia Day weekend in January.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information and Log Cabin
The Cobram-Barooga Visitor Information Centre is located in a 1910 grain shed at the corner of Station St, which was the town's commercial centre prior to 1900, and Punt Rd. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5872 2132 or free-call (1800) 659 258.

Opposite the centre and adjacent the railway station (1888) is a log cabin which was originally erected in the Yarrawonga district as a home for the Toms family c.1875. It was moved to the present site in 1977.

Historic Buildings and Sturt Monument
The Masonic lodge, by the south-eastern corner of Main and Station St, was built in 1888 as a store. On the south-western corner is the Cobram Hotel (1892). Walk south along Station St. The law offices also date from 1892, as does the old mechanics institute (now the RSL Hall). At the south-eastern corner of Station and Queen is one of the town's oldest houses (1887). It was built for James Grant who was co-owner of one of the first businesses to open in town - a highly successful foundry which was located at Station and Oak.

Adjacent the highway, opposite Station St, is a memorial to explorer Charles Sturt, the leader of the first European party to pass through the area in 1838.

A riverside beach on the Murray at Cobram

Murray River Beaches
Naturally the mighty Murray, with its towering river red gums and sandy beaches, is one of the town's greatest attractions. Popular activities are canoeing, boating, swimming, bushwalking and fishing.

The small section of land between the town and the river has forest and wetland areas. It is crisscrossed by unsealed tracks which span out from the town's roads, providing access to the numerous beaches to the north-west, north and north-east of town. They also provide opportunities aplenty for walking and cycling and the information centre has material which outlines the possibilities.

The most popular and readily accessible beach is Thompson's which is located near the bridge at the north-eastern edge of town (off Boorin St). It has picnic-barbecue facilities, a kiosk, boat ramps, toilets and a playground. Murray Waters Boat and Bike Hire operate from the beach, tel: (03) 5872 2132.

Dead River Beach is just to the north-west of town along a track which heads off Racecourse Rd. There are picnic areas to the north at Big Tom's and Little Tom's Beaches (access via Wondah St). To the east of town are Scotts Beach, Horseshoe Lagoon and Twin Knobs Beach. To access this area head east along Morakii St towards the bridge then turn right onto River Rd, passing orchards to the right and red gum forest to the left.

Houseboats moored along the Murray near Cobram

Quinn Island
River Rd leads past Quinn Island (40 ha) which is a waterbird haven formed by a bend in the river that has been cut off by Scotts Creek. A bridge facilitates pedestrian access to the island where a number of Aboriginal artefacts such as scar trees, flint tools and middens, have been found.

Ozzie Orange Juice
Tours are conducted through the premises of this fruit juice factory at around 10.00 a.m. each weekday. Ring (03) 5871 1725 or just turn up.

Strawberry Picking
If you wish to pick some fresh strawberries (in season) there are two operations at Koonoomoo, which is slightly north of Cobram along the Tocumwal Rd (head north-west off the Murray Valley Highway at the western edge of town). Scenic Drives Strawberry Farm is in Torgannah Rd (tel: 03 5871 1263) and K.N.M. Strawberries can be contacted on (03) 5871 1992.

Wineries
Heritage Farm Wines, 5 km west on the Murray Valley Highway, is a family winery (and orchard) that was established in 1986. Clydesdales are used to plough the land. There is a restored collection of antique farm machinery, buggies and gigs, a picnic area and a childrens' playground. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5872 2376.

Strathkeller Wineries, 8 km east on the Murray Valley Highway, were established in 1990. They produce chardonnay, chenin blanc, shiraz and fortifieds and are open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily. There are picnic and barbecue facilities, children's swings, slides and netball, tel: (03) 5873 5274.

Horse riding
Murray River Horse Trails come highly recommended for those wanting to do some trail riding, tel: (03) 5868 2221.

	Tourist Information
	Cobram-Barooga Visitor Information Centre 2-4 Station St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2132, 1800 659 258 Facsimile: (03) 5871 1727
	Motels
	Cobram Central Motor Inn Cnr Murray Valley Hwy & Station St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1633 Facsimile: (03) 5872 1121 Rating: **
	Cobram Colonial Motor Inn Cnr Murray Valley Hwy & William St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1866 Rating: ***
	Moara Shire Holiday Lodge 59 Warkil St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2681 Rating: **
	Regency Court Motel 1 Main St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2488 Rating: ***
	The Charles Sturt Motor Inn 31 Mookarii St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2777 Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Cobram Hotel Station St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1015
	Grand Central Hotel Punt St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1912
	Royal Victoria Hotel Moolarii St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1009
	Holiday Homes & Units
	RACV Holiday Centre Holiday Flats Campbell Rd Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2467 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Sunset Villas & Gallery Murray Valley Highway Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5871 1382 Facsimile: (03) 5871 1382 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	RACV Club Cobram Campbell Rd Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2467 Rating: *****
	Cobram Apex Caravan Park Cnr Punt & Campbell Rds Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2223 Rating: ***
	Cobram East Caravan Park Murray Valley Hwy Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1207 Rating: ****
	Cobram Oasis Tourist Park Cnr Koonoomoo & Race Course Rds Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5871 2010
	Cobram Willows Caravan Park Cnr Murray Valley Hwy & Ritchie Rd Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1074 Rating: ***1/2
	Time Out Holiday Village Off Goulburn Valley Hwy Tocumwal P.O. Box 45 Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5874 2031
	Restaurants
	Alices Restaurant, Royal Victoria Hotel Moolarii St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2877 or 019 308 125
	Cobram HotBake 69 High St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5871 1335
	Colonial Steakhouse Cnr Murray Valley Hwy & William St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1866
	Fasta Past & Pizza Restaurant Mookarii St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2019
	Grand Central Hotel Punt Rd Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1912
	Old Currency Restaurant Cnr Main & Station Sts Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 2990
	Tavern Room Chinese Restaurant , Cobram Hotel Station St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1148
	Cafés
	Comedy Cafe Cnr William St & Punt Rd Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1941
	Sweet Bites Cafe 19 Bank St Cobram VIC 3644 Telephone: (03) 5872 1173