Corowa History
Walking through history
Discover the historical heart of modern Australia in Corowa. Uncover the secrets of our vibrant town and the spirit of our proud people as you journey through a past that shaped a nation.
Corowa holds a unique place in Australian history as the 'Birthplace of Federation'. The pivotal People's Convention of 1893, held here, set the nation on its path to unity.
Explore this remarkable story at the Federation Museum, housed in a century-old building with a major exhibit dedicated to the road to Federation.
Immerse yourself in Corowa's rich past by admiring its captivating historic architecture, including the Corowa Courthouse and the Oddfellow's Hall, the very location of the People's Convention.
The best way to experience Corowa's history is through the self-guided historic walk. Follow the informative signs at key buildings and the storyboards at the Corowa Civic Centre and Sanger Street to bring the story of Federation to life.
Allow about three hours for the walking tour, with plenty of opportunities to stop and relax. Alternatively, explore the central sites on foot and then drive to the outer locations for a tour of approximately one hour by car.
Explore Corowa History
Arts Rutherglen Sculpture and Portal Trail
Arts Rutherglen Sculpture Trail – A Journey Through CreativityWhether you choose to walk, cycle, or drive, you'll discover a collection of remarkable sculptures dotted throughout Rutherglen, Wahgunyah, and Gooramadda.The trail began in…
Hardworking Horse Sculpture
The "Hardworking Horse" sculpture at Daysdale, situated in the picnic area across from the Exchange Hotel, had a plaque unveiled on 27th March 2021 in honour of the late Len Hanrahan, a local farmer who lost his 40 year-long battle with…
Shearing the Ram Sculpture
Inspired by the Tom Roberts painting of the same name. Urana artist Andrew Whitehead was commissioned in 2018 by Federation Council to create a lifesize replica of a shearer using blade shears to shear a curly horned ram. The sketches Tom…
Rutherglen Gold Battery
Step back in time at the Rutherglen Gold Battery, located just on the northern edge of town—an easy stroll from the centre. Built to crush quartz from nearby reefs and release the gold hidden within, the Battery is a fascinating reminder…
Orchid in a Teacup Sculpture
Oaklands is home to a unique threatened orchid: the Oaklands Diuris. To celebrate and raise awareness of the orchid and improve the streetscape for locals and travellers alike, the Oaklands Country Women's Association commissioned a…
Shearing the Rams Trail
Tom Roberts' legacy looms large North of the Murray. The famed Australian artist spent a considerable amount of time at Brocklesby Station, about 20 minutes north-west of Corowa, where he developed a series of sketches around the shearing…
Rutherglen Wine Bottle
Standing tall since 1900, Rutherglen's historic water tower, now affectionately known as "The Wine Bottle" is a beloved local landmark with a fascinating story. Originally built to hold 72,000 gallons of water for the town, it became a…
Australian Soaring Centre
The skies around Corowa are perfect for gliding, with many clear days throughout the year. The Australian Soaring Centre is in a class of its own. Come out and watch the gliders take off and fly around the countryside, or, for those a…
Federation Timeline
A storyboard sits on the street outside the Royal Hotel in Corowa, detailing the story of Federation, particularly how it relates to Corowa as the Birthplace of Federation. The timeline steps through the Federation story year by year.The…
Odd Fellows Hall
The Oddfellows Hall was originally constructed by the Loyal Border Lodge of the Manchester United Independent Order of Oddfellows. Construction commenced on this site in May 1886 and the finished hall was handed over to the Oddfellows in…
Rutherglen Silos
Visit the Rutherglen Silo Precinct in the heart of Rutherglen and see four enormous, colourful, contemporary murals by Wangaratta-based artist Ronan Holdsworth.Titled 'Birds of Seasons', these vibrant artworks celebrate the local fauna…
Sculpture Walk at Gooramadda Olives & Providore
Enjoy a self-guided stroll around the large metal sculptures in close proximity to the cellar door. The grove has several large metal sculptors and sculpted furniture of interest. The property is a working farm and the ground in places can…
Birthplace of Australian Federation
Step back in time and discover Corowa’s history and its role in the birth of Federation at the Corowa Federation Museum. Museum displays describe Australia’s pathway from a series of independent colonies to a single, unified nation, and vital role the town of Corowa played in this story.
In 2020, to celebrate the 130th anniversary of “Shearing the Rams”, a large mural of the iconic painting reproduced by Tracy Hancock was unveiled at the Federation Museum. The mural was funded by a bequest from the late Tim Fischer AC, local identity and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, and the grand opening was attended by one of the descendants of Jim Coffey, the main shearer featured in the painting.
Among other displays, art lovers will also enjoy seeing sketches by Tommy McRae, an accomplished local indigenous artist. McRae, who is said to have worked at Brocklesby Station several decades before Roberts’ visit, depicted Aboriginal cultural life and the arrival of colonists through beautiful sketches. His work can be seen in venues including the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, the state libraries of Victoria and New South Wales, and the Melbourne Museum.
You may also like...
Explore more...
Explore more...
- Home
- →
- See & Do
- →
- History & Heritage
- →
- Corowa History
Sign up for our latest deals, events, specials & secrets from North of the Murray.
We'll send you updates once a month and don't worry, we promise not to spam you.