Kids crossing the weir at Cohuna

Cohuna (including Gunbower Island)
Pleasant service town surrounded by the waters of the Murray River
Cohuna is an immaculate and peaceful little town of some 2200 people situated on the Murray Valley Highway, 265 km north of Melbourne and 80 m above sea-level. Adjacent the main road is a portion of Gunbower Creek, an anabranch of the Murray River. Sandwiched between the creek and the main body of the Murray River, 8 km to the north, is Gunbower Island and Cohuna is the main access point to the island's many attractions.

Cohuna is flanked by lush pastures which have been generated with the assistance of the Torrumbarry Irrigation System. They have been put to good use by the district's many dairy cows. Pigs, cattle, wool and timber also contribute to the local economy. The town has a caravan park attractively situated on the banks of Gunbower Creek.

The area is thought to have been occupied by the Baraparapa people long before white settlement and prehistoric burials of world importance were found locally in 1925 and in the late 1960s.

Major Thomas Mitchell passed through the area on his 1836 exploration of 'Australia Felix'. The first settlers came to the district from the north in 1835 or 1836. However, the boon of irrigation did not get under way until just before the First World War. The myxomatosis virus made its first successful debut in local rabbit warrens c.1950.

Unbeknownst to most Australians Cohuna's casein factory became involved in one of the most famous projects in human history when its produce became a part of the diet of the astronauts flying the Apollo space missions.

At Easter-time the town takes on a festive atmosphere as a result of the Easter tennis tournament. The Cohuna Secondary College hosts the Camping and Leisure Expo on the Melbourne Cup Weekend. There are outdoor and camping displays, caravans and 4WDs, arts and crafts and a wide variety of foods, tel: (03) 5456 2555. The Cohuna Aquatic Festival is in February. It includes the 10-km Bridge to Bridge Swim.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The Golden Rivers Centre at Barham, tel: (03) 5453 3100.

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.

The Gunbower Creek Lake, marshy lakes and billabongs with dead trees on the edge of Cohuna

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).

	Motels
	Cohuna Motel/Hotel Cnr King George & Market Sts Cohuna VIC 3568 Telephone: (03) 5456 2604 Rating: **
	West End Motel Cohuna Murray Valley Hwy Cohuna VIC 3568 Telephone: (03) 5456 2974 or (03) 5456 2547 Rating: **
	Caravan Parks
	Cohuna Caravan Park Island Rd Cohuna VIC 3568 Telephone: (03) 5456 2562 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Bower Tavern King George St Cohuna VIC 3568 Telephone: (03) 5456 2425
	Cohuna Grove Cottage Restaurant Murray Valley Hwy Cohuna VIC 3568 Telephone: (03) 5456 3233
	Occasion Cottage Coffee Lounge Market St Cohuna VIC 3568 Telephone: (03) 5456 2400