Located 695 Klm south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Riverina Highways, Barooga is a popular holiday resort, attractively situated on the banks of the Murray River in the Riverina district of NSW close to the Victorian border. Albury/Wodonga is a short 2 hour drive east, Melbourne 3.5 hours south and Midura 5 hours west.
This is an area which was once occupied by the 150 or so members of the Jeithi Aboriginal tribe. Charles Sturt was the first European to investigate the area in 1838, finding fertile soil, abundant natural resources and a reliable water supply. 'Barooga' station was taken up in 1847 by George Hillas who used it for wool growing. He sold the property to Patrick McFarland who established wheatgrowing. The Barooga homestead is still standing and can be seen from the Barooga-Tocumwal Road, about 5 klm out of town. That station's woolshed, one of the Riverina's largest, still exists.
The township itself developed in the late 1880's on the land of an adjacent property, 'Boomanoomana', acquired in 1863 by William Hay. The property was subdivided in the late 1870's leading to the development of the township. Hay's decendants have restored the home and surrounds to its' original condition.
Today Barooga is supported by citrus and grape-growing, agricultural production (grain, rice, tomatoes, lucerne), dairying, livestock and two large bottling and canning factories.
Tourism also sustains this area as visitors are drawn to the large sandy beaches, unusual alongside an inland river, with a backdrop of red-gum forest and abundant wildlife. There is plenty of bushwalking, camping, a variety of water activities available, also arts and craft and antiques in this region.
Cobram Barooga has a combined population of 7500, which share a number of restaurants, a large sports club and entertainment centre. Barooga has a number of golf courses, as well as the nearby towns of Tocumwal and Yarrawonga. Wineries are scattered throughout this regions for those that like to do some wine tasting tours.
The Autumn, Winter and Spring seasons can be the colder months, especially at night and early mornings, the days are normally mild. From mid November to mid April the day time temperature fluctuates between 25 - 35c.
For more information on the Barooga region contact the Visitors Information Centre on 1800 607607.
