Corryong: Man from Snowy River Country

September 8, 2019•Glenn Marshall

Corryong is a beautiful country town nestled at the foot of the Snowy Mountains, only 130km from Albury via the Murray Valley Highway or 160km via the scenic Murray River Road. With a bucket load of things to see and do, it’s the perfect place to start exploring this section of the magnificent Murray Valley.

The first place you should visit is the Corryong Visitor Information Centre. Here the helpful staff can provide enough hints and tips to make the most of your time here. There are also several fantastic sculptures outside the centre that highlight the importance of bush heritage to the region.

DROP INTO THE VISITORS CENTRE FOR ALL THE TOP TIPS

Standing at 1003m, Mount Mittamatite overlooks the township of Corryong and can be easily accessed off the Murray River Road via Ranch Road. While a 2WD can navigate this unsealed road, it’s a dry weather road only. Emberys Lookout offers great views of the town as well as expansive views of the Snowy Mountains and across to Mount Kosciuszko.

WHAT A VIEW FROM EMBERYS LOOKOUT

Banjo Paterson, one of Australia’s most renowned poets, met some amazing people during his childhood spent living in the bush and gathered fame when his ballads were published in The Bulletin, penning “The Man from Snowy River” in 1890. It’s believed that the poem was based on the exploits of the legendary horseman Jack Riley whom Banjo had met on a couple of occasions at Tom Groggin Station. Jack had spent time along the Snowy River and would tell tales of his adventures to visitors. It was not long after the second meeting that Banjo wrote the “The Man from Snowy River”.

THIS IS MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER COUNTRY

On 14th July 1914, Jack Riley tragically passed away at Surveyors Creek while his mates tried to transport him on a stretcher from Tom Groggin Station to Corryong. His grave can be found in the cemetery with the interesting story of his life on an information board. The mountain bushmen did it hard, back in the day, living solitary lives for much of the time and if they became ill, it was always a challenge to survive.

THE GRAVESITE OF JACK RILEY, THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER

The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is held annually with the 2020 festival running from April 2nd to 5th. Showcasing traditions of the High Country bush heritage, from bush poetry, markets, a rodeo, a muster, Working Cattle Dog Championships and the opportunity to join Riley’s Ride (if you’re an experienced, capable bush rider with a mountain fit horse). This five-day trail takes riders from Tom Groggin Station to Corryong, following in the footsteps of Jack Riley.

The Cudgewa Bluff Falls can be found within the Burrowa – Pine National Park and puts on a show after good rains. The water cascades over Cudgewa Bluff and into a picturesque grotto below. The 500m return walk is moderate with some stairs at the top and later, steps carved into the trail. There’s a viewing platform at the bottom.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE TO BLUFF FALLS

The Man from Snowy River Museum can be found on Jardine Street that has an amazing collection of memorabilia and collection of relocated buildings including the old lockup and police station, blacksmith and farming equipment. For a gold coin donation, you can explore for as long as you like with the museum open seven days a week from 10am - 4pm and 1pm - 4 pm between June and August.

THE MUSEUM IS FULL OF HISTORY

The nearby Towong is home to a historic racecourse that has been holding race meetings since 1871, and with a track distance of 2100 metres has been nicknamed the “Flemington of the Bush”. The grandstand was used in scenes for the Phar Lap movie and is where the gangster Squizzy Taylor stole the day's takings in 1927. The Towong Cup held on the Victorian Labour Day weekend, is one of the most popular picnic race events on the bush racing calendar.

THE HISTORIC TOWONG GRANDSTAND

The tracks near Corryong offer some of the best 4WD experiences you’ll find. The pinnacle is reaching Mount Pinnibar, Australia’s highest driveable mountain peak and then head down to ford the Murray River via the rugged Mount Pinnibar and Tom Groggin Tracks. You can loop around and return to Corryong via The Alpine Way. Make sure you check out Geehi Hut at Geehi, and the Murray 2 Power Station at Khancoban on your way through.

THE REGION HAS A NUMBER OF SPECTACULAR NATIONAL PARKS

Where to stay

Colac Colac Caravan Park sits on the banks of the Nariel Creek, only 6km from Corryong, on the Murray Valley Highway. A visit in autumn is a must when the leaves turn golden, red and purple, just stunning. Set on 15 acres, this is a huge park with 126 powered sites and 97 unpowered sites. All sites are grassed and during summer you’ll enjoy ample shade.

There are several cabin options to suit all budgets as well as clean amenities, BBQs, a camp kitchen, kiosk and kids’ playground. Dogs are more than welcome (with some rules) and the bike trail to Corryong runs right out the front. Why not your hand at some trout fishing? There isn’t a pool, but who needs one with a clear water creek on site.