Albury Wodonga - Top 10 Things to Do on the Murray River

Albury Wodonga - Top 10 Things to Do on the Murray River

The twin cities of Albury (NSW) and Wodonga (Victoria) sit on opposite sides of the Murray River, creating a unique cross-border destination rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located around 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 580 kilometres south-west of Sydney, Albury Wodonga is an easy and rewarding road trip destination.

With grand heritage buildings, a thriving arts scene, scenic lookouts, riverside walks, and beautiful parks and gardens, the region offers plenty to see and do for visitors of all interests.

Albury Botanic Gardens

Located on the corner of Dean and Smollett Streets, the Albury Botanic Gardens are open daily from 6.30 am until sunset. Established in 1877, the gardens feature winding paths through colourful flower beds, lush rainforest plantings, and mature heritage trees.

A highlight for families is the Children’s Garden, open six days a week from 8.30 am to sunset (closed Wednesdays). This shady, fully fenced space includes playful features such as a life-sized dinosaur and a troll cave.

Take in the Views at Monument Hill

Monument Hill, at the western end of Dean Street, offers sweeping views across Albury and beyond. At the summit stands the city’s striking War Memorial, unveiled on Anzac Day in 1925 in honour of those who served in World War I.

The memorial rises 30.48 metres high and is surrounded by commemorative plaques, walking tracks, and picnic areas, making it both a place of reflection and a scenic lookout.

Visit the mighty Hume Dam

Just 16 kilometres east of Albury-Wodonga, Hume Dam is an impressive engineering feat. When completed in 1936, it was the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world, capable of holding around six times the volume of Sydney Harbour.

Today, visitors can walk across the dam wall, relax along the foreshore, go fishing, or enjoy water activities such as kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Discover Albury Wodonga Street Art

As you explore both cities, keep an eye out for colourful murals, sculptures, and creative installations scattered throughout streets and laneways. The Albury Wodonga street art scene reflects modern stories and bold artistic expression.

A standout piece is the Porta Balls sculpture, which overlooks the Murray River and symbolically links the two cities together.

Step into history at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience

Located around 15 minutes from Albury-Wodonga, the Bonegilla Migrant Experience is open daily from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and offers a powerful insight into Australia’s post-war migration story.

Once covering 24 blocks, the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre housed more than 300,000 migrants between 1947 and 1971. Today, Block 19 has been preserved, with original buildings, exhibitions, videos, and interactive displays sharing the stories of those who passed through this significant site.

Visit the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)

Located in the heart of Albury, MAMA is a striking contemporary art gallery open daily from 10.00 am. The gallery is renowned for its innovative exhibitions, featuring works by leading Australian and international artists.

The building itself blends historic architecture with modern, light-filled spaces and hosts up to six exhibitions at any one time, focusing on contemporary stories, ideas, and living artists.

Walk the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk

The Yindyamarra Sculpture Trail is a 5.3-kilometre loop beginning on Kremur Street and winding along the Murray River toward the Wonga Wetlands.

Along the trail, you’ll encounter 15 large-scale sculptures by Aboriginal artists, each telling First Nations stories through contemporary art. Interpretive signs provide insight into the meaning behind each artwork and the artist who created it.

Admire the Albury Historic Buildings

Albury’s city streets are lined with elegant 19th and early 20th-century heritage buildings. A heritage walk brochure is available from the Visitor Information Centre to help guide your exploration.

Highlights include:

• Albury Railway Station (1882), with its Italianate design and one of Australia’s longest platforms

• Albury Post Office (1885), featuring a grand clock tower

• Albury Court House (1860), built in Classical Revival style

• The Mate’s Building (1916), a city icon

• Colonial Mutual Life Building (1925–1938), with a distinctive five-storey clock tower

• The Australian Building (1911), featuring an Australian coat of arms

• Edwardian Town Hall (1907), now part of MAMA

Enjoy the Views from Huon Hill Lookout

Located around 10 kilometres from Wodonga, Huon Hill Lookout offers some of the best panoramic views in the region. From 263 metres above the Murray and Kiewa floodplains, you can see Lake Hume, the Kiewa Valley, the Murray River, and both Albury and Wodonga.

The area includes multiple viewing platforms, picnic tables, toilets, and walking trails for those keen to explore further.

Browse the Albury Wodonga Farmers Market

Held every Saturday from 8.00 am to 12.00 noon at Gateway Village on the Lincoln Causeway in Wodonga, the Albury Wodonga Farmers Market is a vibrant showcase of the region’s produce.

Local growers and makers sell fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, handmade treats, and specialty products — making it a great place to taste local flavours and meet the producers.

Why Albury Wodonga Is Worth Visiting

With its riverside setting, rich history, creative arts scene, scenic lookouts, and relaxed pace, Albury Wodonga offers a diverse and rewarding visitor experience. Whether you’re exploring heritage sites, enjoying outdoor adventures along the Murray River, or soaking up local culture and food, this vibrant border region is a destination that has something for everyone.

👉 Click here to discover more places to explore in Victoria

👉 Click here to discover more places to explore in New South Wales