Visitor Information Murtoa

Wimmera’s hidden treasures

Located in the heart of Victoria’s far west region of Wimmera, north of the fabulous Grampians and Halls Gap and south east of Wyperfeld and Little Desert National Parks, Murtoa is a quaint country town, roughly half way between Melbourne and Adelaide. It is known for its remarkable history and successful grain farming industry producing wheat, barley, chickpea & lentil for our domestic market as well as export.

Just a short 25 minute drive from the main regional city of Horsham, Murtoa contains hidden treasures of this rural region, and has now become an important part of the Silo Art Trail, which celebrates regional Australia in a modern and accessible artistic context.

The town’s natural beauty

There are a number of good reasons to start the exploration of the region in Murtoa. This quaint town, established in 1876, has been designed around the picturesque Lake Marma, which not only provided the town and its first settlers with much needed water but has been a habitat to abundant wild life and the most incredible views of sunrise and sunset one can imagine.

Today Murtoa remains home to the descendants of the town’s first selectors as well as those who prefer the slow paced country lifestyle for their growing families.

Home to the Jardwa Aboriginals, visiting Murtoa will feel like you have been here before. Serene and relaxing. Not many people know that “Murtoa” actually means ‘Home of the Lizard’ in Aboriginal language. See how many giant lizard sculptures you can count in your walks around the town!

Murtoa’s fascinating history

Murtoa is also home to three of Victoria’s Heritage Listed sights – the impressive Stick Shed (1941), a massive grain store, the Railway Water Tower (1886), a water storage facility, and the Kurrajong Tree Avenue (1901), the oldest native street planting in Victoria. These are just a few examples of the incredible boom Murtoa experienced at the turn of the last century, thanks to the opening of the railway line in 1878.

The local newspaper Dunmunkle Standard (1878) mentions The Sawpit brick kiln, Garland’s Saddlery, Thomas Flour Mill, Scott’s Coach Builders and The Freezing Works amongst the biggest privately owned businesses that thrived in Murtoa around that time. There were also numerous clubs and associations that provided services and leisure activities to the town’s growing population.

The Murtoa and District Historical Society, which collects, preserves and displays the examples of the town’s remarkable history, will shed some light on the town’s interesting past, including hints and tips on how to best explore the history of our town.

Download the Murtoa Heritage Trails Brochure for a self guided tour through the town. Follow the Blue and Red Trails as you discover the heritage buildings in the town’s centre.

And make sure you do not leave Murtoa without seeing the Murtoa Museum Precinct with its beautifully restored Railway Station, Concordia Cottage and The Water Tower Museum, which hosts famous James Hill’s Taxidermy Collection and historic artefacts.

Places to Eat and Places to Stay

Grab a coffee and a bite in one of the Murtoa’s cafes or pubs while exploring the town.

Do you need somewhere to stay during your time in Murtoa? Have a look at the accommodation options in the town.

Things to Do and See

Be amazed… The Stick Shed, often referred to as “The Cathedral of the Wimmera”. This large, Heritage Listed structure is open for sightseeing, with guided tours available all year long. It occasionally hosts various pop up art installations, expos, concerts and fine wine & dine events. View the incredible Murtoa silo art, recently painted...

Places to Eat

From little quaint cafes and catering facilities to good old pub meals, there are a few places to eat whilst visiting Murtoa. Whether you choose to dine in or set a picnic rug in the park next to Lake Marma, you will love the experience.

Accommodation

Visitors to Murtoa can enjoy a range of accommodation options at various price points. From the self contained Murtoa Cabins and the Caravan Park on the picturesque Lake Marma to private Airbnb homes, there is a comfortable place to stay should you choose to explore the town and its surrounds or spend your holiday here....