short break in Albury
art trail, MAMA, heritage and gardens

Albury @Wikipedia

You have arrived the day before and are raring to go. Perhaps breakfast in a local cafe between Dean and Queen Elizabeth II Square. Consider browsing the local Saturday market. Albury Wodonga Farmers’ Market: Home is a classic market with local produce, artisan goods, deli goods and designers are dipping their toes into the retail world. A lovely slow start to your weekend away will get you fueled up for MAMA.

Moments on the Murray @mamalbury

Your first day is a must do visit to MAMA, Murray Art Museum to view contemporary art and the latest exhibition. Rain or shine, a museum is always a great indoor space. Together with public art spaces MAMA firmly establishes Albury on the international circuit as a regional town where originality is strongly encouraged.

Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk @Visit Victoria

Today is outdoors exploring the Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk. Planned is an alll day exploration of a significant wetland and adjoining sculpture park. NOTE For visitors where the walk is outside their comfort zone an alternative Day two follows. Wonga Wetlands Trail has three trails around seven lagoons at the Wonga Wetlands Trail. “About 3 kilometres of walking paths allows visitors to experience these beautiful wetlands which are home to around 150 species of birds. You can also see ancient river red gums and a traditional Wiradjuri campsite. Wonga Wetlands is located on the Riverina Highway, 6 km west of Albury. A self-guided tour map is available from the car park area.”

Wonga Wetland

In Winter you’ll find the wetlands full to capacity. Pelicans and Swans love this time of year. Over Spring the water starts to recede exposing muddy shorelines which attracts hundreds of wading birds. During Summer the water levels reduce and may dry out completely and as Autumn arrives and temperatures drop the wetlands are again flooded and life begins all over.

Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk features a series of stunning contemporary Aboriginal sculptures lining the Wagirra Trail from Wonga Wetlands to Kremur Street.  Albany is winning accolades for its innovative approach to art.  Art is not hidden in stately architectural museums, rather it is installed in the community for people to bike or walk past.

Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk @Visit Victoria

Wonga Wetlands opening hours and facilities are:

• The wetlands are open 24/7 with the carpark open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.
• If the main gates are closed there is some parking and access to the facility via a pedestrian gate to the right of the main gate.

Features and facilities

The wetlands have an extensive range of features and facilities including:

• Seven lagoons covering approximately 80 hectares (when full)
• Original 1890s homestead, now the visitors centre
• Aquatic Environment Education Centre for schools and groups (by appointment)
• Three walking trails (0.5km, 1.2km and 2.5km), all starting from outside the visitors centre
• Six bird hides for watching wildlife in a natural setting
• A scaled-down replica of an Indigenous campsite
• Ancient river red gums and an Indigenous scar tree
• Picnic and barbecue facilities
• Bottled water vending machine
• Diverse native flora and fauna including 155 identified bird species
• A site available for weddings for up to 150 guests (by appointment)
• Links to the Albury CBD via the Wagirra Trail (bike/pedestrian)
• A map is available from the information booth near the car park for self-guided tours.

Due to the sensitive nature of the wetlands, no dogs or bikes are permitted on the walking trails within the wetlands area.

Getting here

Wonga Wetlands is a five-minute drive from the Albury CBD along the Riverina Highway (the road to Howlong and Corowa).

Route map:

• 5.8km walk on sealed flat track shared pathway with bicycles
• No dogs allowed.
• No admission fees

This route is one way.  Suggested you are transported to Wonga Wetlands where there are informative plaques about the lagoons,  your way back to Albury (walk or bike)

A 5.8  km sculpture trail, follows the banks of the Murray River connecting Albany to Wonga Wetlands. Known as the Wagirra Trail with the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk as part of the trail the sculptures narrate the story of the Wiradjuri people and their connection to the Murray River.  The river is part of the story’s fabric and backdrops the installations.

Map of Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk

Map of Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk

Library Museum @Raeco Library Solutions

For those who want to view the sculptures yet the 5.8 km one way walk is not within their comfort zone it is suggested that you walk or drive from your accommodation to the Kremur St Boat Ramp, location and explore sculptures in the vicinity of the entrance to the walk.

The adjoining boat ramp carpark has spaces for up to 20 cars.

Today is a planned visit to a library and I can hear the groans?

We know you have a library back home, and even a library card.

This is not your regular issuing books and magazines library rather it is a museum / library space which is a great place to be for heritage fans.

Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre @Wikipedia

Did you know one in twenty Australians have links to Bonegilla?

A must do experience for all of us who remember the stories of our grandparents or more recently our parents. Your first port of call at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience is the Welcome Centre, where staff can get you started on your tour of Block 19 and provide information on the history of the site and the people who came through it.

We have a range of tours available, all of which provide a rare opportunity to explore a collection of original buildings and to truly walk in the shoes of those migrants who made this their first Australian home.

Cafe Musette @kenny-bower-x4l5.squarespace

Prepare to return home. Perhaps there is enough time to explore the commercial galleries that are on your list, another chance to visit the artisan store that took your fancy or to simply relax in your new favourite Albury cafe and watch the world go by. A return visit is guaranteed.