The twin cities of Albury and Wodonga straddle the river that forms the border between Victoria and New South Wales, and to hear the locals talk you’d be sure there was a fierce rivalry between the two towns. It’s all in jest though, and this thriving borough is a welcoming place both sides of the river, as you’ll soon discover when you take the time to explore.
Climb the Monument
Albury’s arrow straight main street runs right up the hill – you can walk directly from the centre of town to the war memorial at the pinnacle of Monument Hill if you’re up for a challenge, or if you prefer to do it the easier way, you can drive up there too. Either way, it’s well worth making the trip – there’s a lovely view overlooking the town and there are picnic tables too, so pack yourself some lunch and enjoy the panorama on display.
Botanical Beauty
More than a hundred and thirty years old and manicured to perfection is the Albury Botanic Gardens. Of special interest to those with younger children along for the ride is their newly created Children’s Garden. There’s a dinosaur to discover, a fairy temple and a troll cave, so flights of imagination will find plenty of fertile ground here. There are some lovely paths to wander and a gazebo where you can rest and take in the scenic gardens, too.
Come to Mama
Forget MOMA and MONA, in Albury, MAMA is where it’s at – the Murray Art Museum Albury is a vibrant space full of surprises. They encourage a hands-on approach to art making, and have a variety of courses on offer – spend a day or a weekend building a new skill – from jewellery making to printmaking, ceramics, drawing or photography and lots more there is no end to what you can learn here. Walk away with a new talent and some of your own creations for a souvenir you’re sure to treasure forever.
Sculpture by the Murray
The Murray cuts right through the centre of town, defining what is Albury and what is Wodonga – but along its banks you will find a lot to do. One of the most intriguing is the Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk. You can walk, run or bike down the trail, and there’s a myriad of places where you can stop to enjoy the views or have a picnic. Local Aboriginal artists have made the sculptures adorning the trail, and there is an app to download so that you can use the interpretive panels to play video and audio for your own self-guided tour. You’ll hear some wonderful stories of Aboriginal history and learn about the cultural significance of the Murray itself.
LibraryMuseum discoveries
When you consider the interesting history of two cities combined into one that created this place, it should make sense that they would also create a Museum and Library combination known as Albury LibraryMuseum. This state of the art facility invites people to explore their collections through a variety of modern means – you really have to see if for yourself when you’re in town.
