The Story of Yarrawonga: A Journey Through Time

Long before European settlers arrived, the land we now know as Yarrawonga was home to the Mulla Walla people, the First Nations custodians of the region. They lived in harmony with the river and land, maintaining a deep and spiritual connection to Country.

In 1838, explorer Charles Sturt journeyed through the area during his expedition down the Murray River, marking one of the first European incursions into this part of what would become Victoria.

Just a few years later, in 1842, European settlement began to take root. Elizabeth Hume, sister of famed explorer Hamilton Hume, established one of the first pastoral runs in the district. She named her property Byramine, a home that still carries historical significance today.

By 1850, a police camp had been established in the area, bringing the beginnings of formal law enforcement. That same year, a punt service began operating across the Murray, allowing for the easier movement of people and goods—a small but vital link in the region’s early infrastructure.

The discovery of gold in the central highlands in 1851 brought a wave of activity and growth across Victoria. Though the goldfields were further afield, their economic ripple was felt even in the developing settlements along the Murray.

By 1858, the nearby township of Mulwala was formally proclaimed, and in the 1860s, a series of Land Acts began to dismantle the old pastoral monopolies, opening the door for closer settlement and agricultural development.

River transport played a key role during this era. In 1864, the paddlesteamer Lady Daley passed through Mulwala, reflecting the growing use of the Murray as a commercial waterway.

Yarrawonga itself was beginning to take shape. A permanent police station opened in 1867, and the following year, the village was formally surveyed. It was clear that this small community was growing in both population and importance.

By 1874, Yarrawonga had grown enough to justify its own court house, and that same year, a Post Office opened its doors, connecting the town to the wider colony. Expansion continued with a second land survey in 1875, and the opening of the town’s first pub, offering hospitality to locals and travelers alike.

In 1878, the formation of the Shire of Yarrawonga provided the area with formal local governance, a milestone in its civic development.

The community continued to flourish. In 1883, the Yarrawonga Chronicle & Riverina Advocate published its first edition, chronicling the life and times of the region. By 1885, Yarrawonga boasted two banks, four hotels, three churches, a school, a newspaper, and two flour mills—a sign of both prosperity and permanence.

The arrival of the railway from Melbourne in 1886 was a transformative moment, connecting the town to major markets and fostering trade and travel. This was followed in 1888 by the construction of a more substantial Court House, a symbol of Yarrawonga’s growing stature.

In 1891, a road bridge was built across the Murray River, improving access between Yarrawonga and Mulwala. That same year, a second local newspaper began publication, reflecting the town’s cultural and social vibrancy.

The early 20th century brought continued progress. In 1920, the Union Flour Mill began operations, processing locally grown wheat and supporting the region’s agricultural economy. By 1926, the long-anticipated railway bridge across the Murray was completed, strengthening ties between Victoria and New South Wales.

The towns of Yarrawonga and Mulwala were formally linked by road and rail in 1932, ushering in a new era of regional cooperation and shared growth. Two years later, in 1934, work commenced on the Yarrawonga Weir, a major engineering project that would shape the area’s future and secure its place along the mighty Murray River.