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Numurkah Victoria Travel Guide | Things to Do, Cafes, Heritage & Nearby Attractions
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Sep 6, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Numurkah Victoria Travel Guide - Things to Do, Cafes, Heritage & Nearby Attractions
Numurkah is a charming country town set along Broken Creek in northern Victoria. Located on the Goulburn Valley Highway, it sits approximately 227 kilometres north of Melbourne and just 37 kilometres north of Shepparton. With its leafy parks, historic buildings, welcoming cafés, and easy access to unique nearby attractions, Numurkah makes a lovely stop on a regional Victoria road trip.
During our stay in Numurkah, we enjoyed morning tea at a local café, admired colourful street art and heritage buildings, wandered through Rotary Park and along Broken Creek, and explored the peaceful Kinnairds Wetlands. We also took short drives to Cactus Country and the Katamatite Silo Art, both standout attractions in the region.
Numurkah Town Centre & Cafe
Melville Street is the heart of Numurkah’s town centre and is lined with cafés, traditional hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and specialty shops. One of our favourites was Cherish Brews and Bites, a welcoming café open daily from 6.00 am to 2.00 pm. Located beside a vibrant street mural, it’s a great spot for coffee and something sweet.
The impressive 20-metre-long mural, painted by well-known artist Sobrane, features local birdlife including a superb blue wren, an azure kingfisher, and a budgerigar. We enjoyed coffee and muffins while admiring the artwork — a perfect way to start the day.
Numurkah Heritage Buildings
Numurkah was proclaimed a township in 1875, and many of its historic buildings remain today. Information plaques along Melville Street make it easy to learn about the town’s past as you explore.
Number 70 Melville Street was originally a chemist's, built in 1881; it was the first brick building in town, and it is now a real estate office.
The Courthouse was built in 1890 and now houses an arts and crafts centre.
The Bank of Victoria was built in 1892 and now houses the Numurkah Historical Society.
The Numurkah Leader Newspaper building was built in 1896. A fire destroyed the building in the 1980’s but luckily the facade remained intact.
The Numurkah Hotel was built in 1911 and is still used as a hotel today.
The State Savings Bank was built in 1912 and is now a real estate office.
The Telegraph Hotel is a lovely two-storey Victorian-style building that was built in 1923.
In the centre of Melville Street, you’ll also find a miniature replica of the Dethridge water wheel, an Australian invention from 1910 that revolutionised irrigation water measurement. Nearby, there is another lovely mural on the Numurkah Kindergarten building, adding even more colour to the town.
Broken Creek & Rotary Park
We enjoyed a leisurely walk along the Broken Creek walking track, passing Apex Park, which features a children’s playground, picnic tables, and toilets.
Further along is Rotary Park, where you’ll find an old steam train, a collection of brightly painted tractors, and the Frank Yarwood Pavilion. Inside the pavilion is an interesting display of historic machinery and local memorabilia, complete with informative signage.
On the opposite side of Broken Creek, a small colony of grey-headed flying foxes and little red flying foxes roosts in the river red gums. During the day, they can be seen resting in the trees, and in the evening, it’s fascinating to watch them take flight at dusk.
Kinnairds Wetlands
Located just 2 kilometres from Numurkah, Kinnairds Wetlands is a mix of natural and man-made wetland areas. Several walking tracks wind through the wetlands, making it a peaceful spot for a gentle bushwalk and birdwatching.
Cactus Country
Cactus Country is Australia’s largest cactus garden and is located in Strathmerton, approximately 20 kilometres from Numurkah. The gardens are open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Covering 12 acres, the gardens feature thousands of cacti and succulents from regions including Mexico, the Sahara, Patagonia, and South Africa. There are eight colour-coded walking trails, plenty of photo opportunities, and something new to discover around every corner.
After exploring the gardens, we enjoyed nachos and frozen margaritas at the fun Mexican-themed café, with seating in a colourful outdoor courtyard. There’s also a gift shop and on-site cactus nursery, perfect for picking up a unique souvenir.
Katamatite Silo
The Katamatite Silos, painted by artist Tim Bowtell in July 2023, are another nearby highlight worth visiting. The mural beautifully weaves together local heritage, Indigenous culture, and community history, featuring a wedge-tailed eagle, Indigenous figures along Boosey Creek, a scar tree, the town’s first train engine, and imagery representing the irrigation systems that shaped the region. It’s a powerful artwork that connects the past and present while paying tribute to both traditional owners and early settlers.
Why Numurkah Is Worth the Detour
Numurkah may be a small country town, but it offers a lovely mix of heritage, nature, street art, and unique nearby attractions. From relaxed café stops and historic buildings along Melville Street to peaceful walks beside Broken Creek and through the Kinnairds Wetlands, it’s an easy town to slow down and enjoy.
Add in standout experiences like Cactus Country and the impressive Katamatite Silo Art, and Numurkah becomes a rewarding stop on any northern Victoria road trip. Whether you’re passing through or staying a little longer, Numurkah is a friendly, low-key destination that’s well worth taking the time to explore.