Corryong – it’s a Champion Town
The town of Corryong is fighting back – it’s recovering from devastating bushfires and was all set to stage its fabulous Man from Snowy River Bush Festival next month.
However, the coronavirus has changed all that and it’s been cancelled along with many other celebrations throughout the country.
But the good news is you can still head to Corryong to discover its charm and enjoy all it has to offer.
It’s a great place for a get away with lots of activities for all.
The Man from Snowy River
Located in Victoria’s Upper Murray, the town is etched in Australian folklore and is where the Man from Snowy River legend was born.
It is the resting place of the legendary horseman, Jack Riley, who inspired famous Australian bard, Banjo Paterson to pen his iconic ode The Man from Snowy River, back in 1890.
Riley, who for many years was the Tom Groggin Station manager for the Pierce family of Greg Greg, is buried at the Corryong cemetery. His much-visited grave is marked “In memory of the Man from Snowy River.”
Each year The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival that is held on the first weekend in April, remembers the life of Jack Riley and other cattlemen who lived and earned their livelihood in the mountains.
Beautiful Scenery
The Corryong area boasts some of the most picturesque scenery in Australia. Much of the burnt land is already springing back to life with green shoots and extensive growth.
Drop into the Corryong Museum that features the folk history of the pioneering families of the Upper Murray including a section on Jack Riley and the largest ski collection in Australia dating from the late 1800’s.
Pioneer Village
There’s a pioneer village showcasing original buildings including the school, blacksmiths, bank and the old Corryong Police Station that takes visitors back in time.
Both adventurers and nature lovers are catered for with plenty of year-round outdoor activities offered in the Kosciuszko National Park while the Murray River is perfect for casting a line, white water rafting and canoeing.
Bigger than Uluru
There’s also a huge granite monolith said to be one and a half times larger than Uluru at Burrowa Pine National Park that is also home to a number of rare native plants – found nowhere else in Australia.
Cudgewa Bluff Falls, also located in the park is a spectacular sight when it’s in full flow and it’s a great area for camping.
Head to Lawrence Lookout, 39kms from Corryong for impressive 360-degree views of the surrounding pine plantations and stunning mountain landscapes.
Towong Turf Club
For a taste of fun country racing, the Towong Turf Club which started in 1871 still runs the Towong Cup on the March long weekend, plus a New Year’s Eve race meeting, at the scenic racecourse.
It is home to Victoria’s oldest grandstand nestled among a stand of more than a century old elm trees. Legend has it that notorious Melbourne gangster, Squizzy Taylor performed a cheeky robbery at the race course that also featured in the Phar Lap movie.
The vibrant town has a lot to offer- for a shopping fix search for second hand treasures at the Bacash Emporium and drop into A Little Thyme for gifts and keepsakes.
Feeling peckish? Try the Corryong Cafe Brew and Black Sheep. The cold beer and country hospitality at the Jingellic, Walwa, Tintaldra, Corryong, Tooma and Khancoban pubs are pretty good too.
Spend time in Corryong and it doesn’t take long to fall under its spell – Banjo Paterson got it right when he described the air as “clear as crystal” – as for those views they are simply magical.
Fast Facts
Where: Corryong is a small town in Victoria, close to the NSW border and 120 kilometres east of Albury-Wodonga. Rex, Qantas and Virgin fly in from Sydney daily and Rex from Melbourne.
Check out the wildlife sculptures by Benjamin Gilbert along the 155kms Great River Road from Bellbridge-near Albury to Khancoban. See visituppermurray.com.au
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival www.bushfestival.com.au
Accommodation:
Camping: Clarke’s, Neil’s and Towong Bridge Reserves.
Self- Contained Boutique accommodation: Milton- www.miltononhansen.com
