Wahgunyah River Track Walk

The Wahgunyah River Track Walk follows the Murray River through magnificent old River Red Gums, floodplain bushland, vineyards and adjoining farmland. Interpretive signs along the route explore the district’s natural and cultural history.

The circuit also passes the historic John Foord Pioneer Cemetery. Local Aboriginal artist Tommy McRae lived nearby at Lake Moodemere for several years and drew scenes depicting Aboriginal life, ceremonies and interactions with settlers.

Walk Details:

The official route summary lists 7 km, although the introductory description and turn-by-turn directions indicate a circuit of approximately 5.6-6 km
Approximately 1.5 hours
Grade 2
Circuit walk
Suitable for families comfortable walking the full distance
Combination of sealed shared paths, dirt tracks and unsealed roads
Includes a short section beside traffic on Distillery Road

Route:

Park the car at the Wahgunyah Football Oval car park. The Trail starts at the barriers on the Oval boundary. Head south and at the 200m point there is a pedestrian bridge on the left and a path to the right which leads to the netball courts. Follow the walk/cycle sign straight ahead.
The Trail winds through the floodplain of the Murray River and majestic river red gums are a highlight of the landscape. There are seats for a rest or to take in the views at the 1.5 and 1.6km marks. Continue straight ahead at the white gate (1.9km mark) where there is a walk/cycle sign.
European settlement here began in the early 1840s when around 12,000ha around Wahgunyah (said to mean ‘big camp’) on the southern side of the river was selected for cattle grazing by pioneer, John Crisp, who later sold the land to John Foord. Foord’s name is synonymous with the development of the town. John Foord bridge on Foord Street today links Wahgunyah in Victoria to Corowa in NSW across the Murray.
At the 2km mark veer left. There is an interpretive sign here. Nearby there is a seat, a great view of the river and a really interesting water tank with a hut on top! The Trail changes from bitumen to dirt here at the 2.1km mark, keep left and continue on. At the next T intersection (2.2km) turn left onto an unsealed road and continue.
The unsealed road veers to the left at the 2.8km mark, there are vineyards to the right. The next junction is ODonoghues Road (3.2km mark) – turn right here. In 300m turn left onto Distillery Road (3.5km mark). This is a sealed main road with regular traffic so use caution. Reaching Cofield Wines take a left turn onto Kilborn Road (4.3km mark).
At the 4.9km mark you will see the John Foord Pioneer Cemetery on the right. The road veers to the right at the 5.1km mark. There is a left hand turn at this point which crosses the creek but don’t take this one.
At 5.4kms there is a pedestrian bridge on the left. If it looks familiar that is because you passed it on the start of the Trail. Take the bridge and turn right after exiting it. The finish point is a short stroll down the Trail.