Fast facts
- Pretty riverside town with river, lakes and nearby forests
- On the opposite side of the Murray River to twin town Koondrook
- 822 km west of Sydney, population 1,250
Why go there
This attractive town straddles the mighty Murray River and offers relaxing riverside breaks and great fishing in both the river and nearby lakes. Close to town are the Barmah Forest wetlands, which have attracted international recognition as one of the most important wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin.
History
Edward Green acquired the lease of a massive area of land in the district in 1843 and named his property after his wife’s maiden name.
Settlers occupied the southern bank of the river at Koondrook after the end of the 1850s gold rush in Victoria. By the 1870s it was a service point for paddlesteamer trade on the Murray. Many paddlesteamers were built from wood logged in the area. A bridge across the river, built in 1904, brought new life to Barham.
Things to do
- Take a rest stop at the Barham Lakes Complex, four interconnected artificial lakes surrounded by grasslands, native plants, picnic facilities, a walking track and a swimming area with a beach.
- Go for a forest drive in the Koondrook State Forest and look out for kangaroos, emus, wild pigs and hundreds of bird species.
- Search for waterbirds in the Gunbower Island State Forest, a 20,000-hectare flood plain.
Don’t miss
- The lift bridge across the river, one of the oldest across the Murray.
- Swimming in the river at the Barham Sandbar.
- A barbecue at Lions Park and a walk through a redgum forest.
- A fishing trip by cruise boat on the Murray River.
- Showrooms displaying fine furniture and souvenirs made from local redgum.
