Have you ever taken a trip along the border to the towns of Robinvale and Euston? If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. Both these towns share the banks of the Murray River and there’s so much to see and do.
Robinvale: a taste of cultures from around the world
It’s quite surprising to learn that Robinvale boasts incredible cultural diversity. Here you’ll find people from Italy, Greece, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Pacific Islands to name a few. Plus, Robinvale has the largest indigenous population in the state of Victoria.
According to one long-time resident and local councillor, it’s a pot of culture. And, the best part is that everyone gets along and enjoys sharing their cultures with each other and with visitors from near and far.
However, it wasn’t always like that. Years ago, the different cultural groups would tend to stay within their own group and not mingle much. However, with the concerted efforts of some key people and through music and sports, the residents of Robinvale have cemented a culture of acceptance and interest in each other’s cultures.
Robinvale history
Robinvale has a rich history for such a tiny town, with its population of around 3,500 permanent residents. First established in 1924, the town boosted its population after World War II when the government of the day gave returned soldiers large blocks of land they could farm. The area where these parcels of land were was affectionately known as ‘block country’.
Nowadays, those early farming blocks have been purchased by large horticultural companies and are planted with huge orchards growing almonds, citrus fruits and grapes.
If you happen to get the chance to take a flight over the region, the view below is absolutely amazing and will show you the immense orchards that cover the surrounding countryside.
Euston: the original township
On the opposite side of the Murray, the town of Euston was established before Robinvale in 1846. However, the latter has a larger population and nowadays, many local sporting clubs have players from both towns.
Nevertheless, Euston has much historical significance for the area and a visit to the Old Euston Courthouse is a must when you’re in the vicinity. Then, take a stroll through the main part of town where you can see several plaques that have been placed at sites of historical significance.
What to see and do around Robinvale and Euston
Here’s a snapshot of some of the things to put on your list when you take a trip to Robinvale and Euston:
- Take a stroll down the main street of Robinvale and absorb the multicultural vibe. There’s no need to travel overseas if you love ethnic foods. You’ll find everything you’ve ever wanted to try right here in Robinvale.
- For a spot of history, visit the War Memorial Museum and Park in Robinvale.
- A visit to the Rural Life Museum in Robinvale is also a must and will give you a glimpse into how life used to be in the region.
- Take the river walk across the bridge to Euston and visit the Euston Lock & Weir 15. Here you can see a fish ladder that was constructed to allow the native fish in the Murray to travel upstream.
- Visit the Robinvale country market which is on once a month and taste some of the seasonal delicacies straight from the growers.
- Visit one of the many parks and reserves along the Murray where you can take a walk and experience the beauty of the natural environment.
- For local maps of the many nearby places that you can explore, visit the Robinvale Euston Visitor Information Centre on Bromley Road.
- Don’t forget to sample some more of the local produce by visiting Robinvale Estate Olive Oil. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see how chilli-infused oil is produced.
If you’re planning to stay in the area for a few days, hop in the car and visit some of the beautiful national parks and waterways in the area. There’s Mungo National Park, Yanga National Park and Hattah Kulkyne National Park, where you’re likely to spot kangaroos, emus, wedge-tailed eagles, whitebellied sea eagles and whistling kites as well as threatened mallee birds such as the malleefowl, black-eared miner and mallee emu-wren. Mungo National Park is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area and definitely worth a visit.
Where to stay
When visiting Robinvale and Euston, you really need a few days to absorb everything there is to see and do. Lucky for you, there are plenty of places where you can stay for a night or two:
- The Euston Club & Resort is right on the banks of the Murray River and offers both cabins and motel-style accommodation. They have free live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
- The Euston Riverfront Caravan Park is great if you have your own van or motorhome and want to stay right beside the river.
- The Euston Club Motel is also situated on the banks of Murray. It’s set in beautiful grounds filled with river red gums.
Copyright: Photo by www.visitthemurray.com.au
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