Nyah West, Victoria: Travel guide and things to do

Nyah is a border town located on the Murray Valley Highway, 371 km north-west of Melbourne and 27 km north-east of Swan Hill. Nyah West, 3 km off the highway, is the business and commercial centre of a prosperous irrigation district which produces wine and dried fruit, as well as vegetables and wool.

Things to see

State Forests
The Nyah and Vinifera State Forests contain a wealth of archaeological material relating to ancient Aboriginal occupation of the land, including canoe trees, middens, burial grounds and boundary markers. These forests of redgum and box follow the Murray and are open to cars, campers and bushwalkers.

Koraleigh Country Collection
Koraleigh Country Collection is a heritage display in a rural parkland setting, featuring horse-drawn machinery and other artefacts and memorabilia of the pre-tractor dried-fruit era (1910-40). There is a nursery, a cactus garden, a craft shop and plenty of birds wandering about.

The principal opening hours are Sundays from 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on Monday and Tuesday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., although other times can be organised by appointment, tel: (03) 5030 2141. During the Victorian school holidays, the business is also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The business is well set up for coach tours.

To get there turn off the Murray Valley Highway at Nyah onto the road signposted 'Koraleigh Collection'. It heads east across the river and the state border. Turn left after 2 km into the road signposted for Koraleigh. After another 2 km take the signposted right into Eagles Lane and it is a final 2 km to your destination.

Ring Tree
If you ignore the turnoff into Eagles Lane and continue along the main road towards Tooleybuc then, about halfway there, a small blue tourist sign will draw your attention to the presence of the Ring Tree on the left-hand side of the road. A remnant of the pre-colonial days this is a rare surviving example of an old Aboriginal boundary marker in which the branches of a tree were tied together in such a way as to grow in the form of a ring. It is a large tree which stands alone about 10 metres back from the roadside.There are plans to erect a cairn with an explanatory plaque.

Tooleybuc
Another way to access Tooleybuc is to continue north from Nyah along the Murray Valley Highway for 19 km to Piangil North. From this point a road heads east across the river towards Kyalite and Balranald. On the far side of the Murray is Tooleybuc, a tiny and tranquil settlement with a village atmosphere. It is a pleasant spot for picnicking and riverside walks. Fishing is especially popular and there is a boat ramp.

In the warmer months you can take an informal ride on a barge along the Murray River. There is no set fee although a donation will be greatly appreciated as it will go to the Red Cross. You can cook up a barbecue on board, fish or just relax and enjoy the scenery, tel: (03) 5030 5025.