Murray River

As the river moves through rich agricultural land, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria, the river is fed by several significant tributaries. The most important of these are the Murrumbidgee River and the Darling River.

2520 kilometres from its source in the Upper Murray and the Kosciusko National Park, the mighty Murray meets the sea at the mouth of Lake Alexandrina in South Australia. Along the way it has provided farmland with irrigation water, sustaining a multi billion dollar industry. It also sustains wetlands and provides water for many towns and millions of residents of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, along its length. The river hosts four large dams, 16 storage weirs and 15 navigable locks.

One of the major challenges for the Murray River is the high level of salinity that has been caused by irrigation water raising the salt table. The runoff ends up in the river and threatens the many species of plants, animals and fish that live in and around the river.

The Murray River was a highway for transportation of goods and people on paddle steamers throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Before federation, the various crossings across the river saw customs posts which imposed duties for the movement of goods between the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales.

River towns such as Corowa and Wentworth have rich historical significance in the role that was played at these places during the early negotiations that lead to federation.