Barmah
Small Murray River township
Barmah is a small Murray River town located 236 km north of Melbourne and about 30 km north-east of Echuca. It is best-known as the gateway to the superb Barmah State Forest which contains the largest redgum forest in the world.
The area was occupied by the Yorta Yorta people prior to European settlement which occurred in the 1870s. A state school was established in 1876, at which time there were around 100 people in the vicinity. St Michael's Catholic Church was built in 1877 and the Barmah East Wine Palace, now known as Moira Lakes Wine Palace, was built sometime between 1876 and 1880.
Things to see:
Tourist Information
The Barmah General Store and Post Office (tel: (03 5869 3219) or the Dharnya Centre, tel: (03) 5869 3302.
Barmah State Forest and the Dharnya Centre
Barmah State Forest (29 500 ha) is situated upon the floodplains of the Murray River. The combination of the Barmah State Forest and the Moira State Park (in NSW) forms the largest redgum forest in the world. It has a World Heritage listing. It is on a major flightpath for migratory birds and is an important breeding ground for waterbirds. Some of the trees in the forest are estimated to be over 300 years old and are over 40 m high. There are a number of canoe trees and ancient middens in the forest. Evidence that Aborigines inhabited this area long before Europeans arrived.
In winter the area usually floods creating a wetland biosphere which becomes a breeding ground for birds (there are 206 species in the forest). Consequently it is a popular spot for birdwatching, as well as fishing, walking, boating, camping, picnicking and car touring. However, in the wet season, the tracks are flooded and canoeing becomes a preferred means of exploration. Gondwana Canoe Hire are located on Moira Lakes Rd between Barmah and the forest. They have a drop-off service, tel: (03) 5869 3347. Emus, kangaroos, wild horses, reptiles and amphibia are also found in the forest.
The forest occupies an area which borders the southern bank of the Murray from a point due north of Barmah and stretching eastwards to Morgans Beach, not far from Cobram. Two sections at the easternmost and westernmost fringes of the forest are technically known as 'Barmah State Park'.
The western section is 9 km north of Barmah and is accessed by Moira Lakes Rd which is unsealed but manageable in a 2WD. Just after it crosses Broken Creek on Rices Bridge there is a side road on the left that leads to a day visitor area where the Murray River, Moira Creek and Barmah Lake meet. There is a boat ramp, a fireplace, a picnic area and toilets.
Beyond this branch track Moira Lakes Rd becomes Sand Ridge Track. It soon passes another side road on the left which leads to the Barmah Lake Camping Area before arriving at the Dharnya Aboriginal Centre where there are displays relating to the history and culture of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal community, the forest and their association with it. Information can be obtained here concerning a forest drive and walking tracks. There is also accommodation available. World Forestry Day is celebrated at the centre in mid-March. It is open from 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5869 3302.
Three walking tracks start from the Dharnya Centre. The Lakes Loop Track takes in Aboriginal middens, passes the edge of Barmah Lake, the campground, the day visitor area, following the Murray for a short distance before it veers off to pursue Broken Creek. When it arrives at Rices Bridge you can either follow Sand Ridge Track back to the visitor centre (making it a 4 km return walk), or continue via the Broken Creek Track (making it 5.5 km) which starts at the rear of the Dharnya Centre. The latter walk follows the edge of a marshland area through river redgum and greybox woodland to Broken Creek which it follows downstream past Aboriginal middens and Rices Weir to Rices Bridge where you can follow Sand Ridge Track (3.5 km) back to the centre or continue along the Lakes Track (5.5 km).
The other track is the Yamyabuc Discovery Trail (1.5 km return) which explores river redgum forest around the centre. An accompanying brochure outlines natural and cultural features of the forest including the stock yards, a canoe tree and middens.
There are many point of access to the sections of forest (and park) which lie to the east. Departure roads head northwards off the Barmah-Picola Rd and the Murray Valley Highway. However rain, flooding and seasonal closure affect access. Ring (03) 5866 2702 for a report on the state of the roads.
Barmah Island Forest Drive
Barmah Island is the section of land to the north-west of Barmah which is sandwiched between the Murray River on the western side and Barmah Creek on the eastern side. The Forest Drive starts from the Barmah Town Gates at the end of Schier St and then heads off along River Rd which is 2WD-friendly but dusty when dry. After about 1.5 km the road veers north-east to follow the southern bank of Barmah Creek for about 1 km before turning left over the crossing. If the creek is flooded it is necessary to take a sharp right onto a 1-km track which will take you east to Moira Lakes Rd where you can turn right to Barmah.
If the creek is fordable veer left once across the creek and River Rd follows the northern bank of Barmah Creek to the Murray River junction. It then follows the river north for about 2.5 km. If Pontoon Creek is flooded turn right at this point onto the Centre Track which loops back around to the Barmah Creek bridge. If it isn't, continue along River Rd which follows the Murray around to the northern end of Moira Lakes Rd by Rices Bridge. Bushcamping is permitted anywhere along this route.
Kingfisher Wetland Cruises
Two-hour interpretive cruises of the lakes and forest are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from Kingfisher Wetland Cruises which are located just off Moira Lakes Rd (take the left off the bitumen just past the bridge). They operate daily in holiday periods if numbers are sufficient. The cruises focus on the ecology and history of the forest, the birdlife and its habitats and the Aboriginal significance of the area, tel: (03) 5869 3399.
Moira Lakes Wine Palace
This is an original wine palace which is located in the Barmah Forest and was licensed between 1888 - 1922. It is where the first permanent white settler (Joseph Rice, also known as "Governor") came to live in 1856 and started up the Murray Fishing Company. From here fish were transported to the goldfields in Bendigo and to the markets in Melbourne. As well leeches were collected and exported to London in the 1860's for medical research.
The building was in very poor condition when it was purchased by Robyn and Chris Mitchell in 1993, restored and opened as 'Moira Gums Gallery'. Chris Mitchell is a full time craftsman/woodturner in River Red Gum and his work is on display in the gallery and well as Bungendore Wood Works Gallery near Canberra.
Motels
Barmah Motel/Hotel
Murray St
Barmah VIC 3639
Telephone: (03) 5869 3270
Rating: *
Lodges & Chalets
Belinda Lodge Holiday Farm
Barmah East Rd
Barmah VIC 3639
Telephone: (03) 5869 3244
Caravan Parks
Barmah Caravan Park
Murray St
Barmah VIC 3639
Telephone: (03) 5869 3225
Rating: **
Restaurants
Barmah Motel/Hotel
Murray St
Barmah VIC 3639
Telephone: (03) 5869 3270
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