Yarrawonga - Culture and History

The Mulla Walla people are said to have occupied the area before the first white settlers arrived in 1842. These were the party of Elizabeth Hume, the widow of explorer John Kennedy Hume who was murdered by bushrangers at Gunning in 1840. His more famous brother, Hamilton Hume, took up the run on her behalf (the homestead is now a tourist attraction).

The 1860s Land Acts broke up the old pastoral runs so as to enable closer settlement and the village of Yarrawonga was founded in 1868. By 1874 the village was of sufficient importance to warrant a courthouse. The railway arrived in 1886.

The major development in the town's history has been the construction of the Yarrawonga Weir and Lake Mulwala in the late 1930s as part of the Murray-Darling Irrigation Scheme. This irrigation project greatly enhanced the productivity and prosperity of the district and it allowed the government to provide opportunities for war veterans after World War II when they were given land throughout the district as part of a major soldier settlement scheme.

A pine plantation was established to the west of town in 1958 to supply a local match factory although Yarrawonga has been a resort town since the early 1960s.

January witnesses the Australian speed boat championships, the Lake Mulwala Water Ski Spectacular and rowing and sailing regattas. There is a noted tennis tournament at Easter, the Yarrawonga Show in October and the Red Cross Murray River Marathon, a canoe race from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill, on December 27. Yarrawonga also has the largest golf course in Australia (45 holes).

Bush markets are held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at the railway station and the Rotary Markets on the third Sunday at the primary school.

Restaurants

Burkes Royal Mail Motel/Hotel
96 Belmore St
Yarrawonga VIC 3730
Telephone: (03) 5744 3033

Mulwala Water ski Club Chinese Restaurant
Melbourne St Mulwala
Yarrawonga VIC 2647
Telephone: (03) 5744 1515

Oriental Pearl Chinese Restaurant
Melbourne St Mulwala
Yarrawonga VIC 2647
Telephone: (03) 5744 2577