Broken Creek Drive
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Are you looking for something to do locally over the Easter Holidays?
Have you been for a trip around the Broken Creek Drive?
This is a beautiful scenic drive around the Broken Creek! We are so lucky to have such an amazing part of nature so close by! Approx: 58km (allow 2 hours for the return trip). If you call into the Barmah Forest Heritage & Education Centre or Nathalia Printers you can pick up one of the Broken Creek Drive brochures to help guide you along the roads! This brochure will also offer you points of interest and the history of locations along your journey! Why not drop into the local pub at Barmah or the General store for a cold drink or something to eat while you are out and about! There's also the Picola Pub and the beautiful silo art not too far off, its definitely worth a little detour to check out the Silo Artwork! And of course there are plenty of Cafe's and the local bakery for coffee, cakes and more to visit in Nathalia!
A LITTLE HISTORY
Nathalia and District developed along the banks of the
Broken Creek. In dry conditions the creek reverted to a
series of water holes.
Along the banks of the creek is ample evidence of a
much earlier history. There are numerous scar trees,
middens and camp sites. The ephemeral creek was
used in a similar way to our roads and highways. The
environment was entirely different to what we have
today.
1878: The creek was entirely dry and settlers built dirt
banks to retain enough water for stock and domestic
use. In the early 1900’s the Shire began building
wooden weirs and the final weirs were built in the late
1930’s.
1938: The Broken Creek went dry for the last time.
With farmers’ donations and a government grant, water
was pumped upstream from Rice’s Weir into Kennedy’s
and Schiers weirs. The water reached back to James
Bridge.
1942: Irrigation water was diverted from the Goulburn
River at Casey’s Weir, water rights were granted
and large-scale irrigation began. From this time an
altered eco-system has evolved and we have abundant
flora, fauna and fish, which have adapted to suite the
permanent water conditions. The Broken Creek is
considered one of the most significant breeding streams
for the Murray Cod.
Communities have also adapted and now town’s folk
rely on this water supply as much as the farmers.
There are no bins provided along the drive. Please take all your
rubbish home.
Please observe all road laws and drive according to the road
and weather conditions.
The Nathalia & District Local Area Plan Implementation Committee,
the Broken Creek Improvement Landcare Group (both now Goulburn
Murray Landcare Network) and the Superb Parrot Project, Picola, have
combined to provide the information for the drive.
Broken Creek Improvement Landcare Group
The Broken Creek Improvement Landcare Group was established in- The members are committed to maintaining and improving the
aim is to preserve the quality of the Broken Creek so that it can be
enjoyed with confidence, by those that wish to use its many attributes,
and who’s environment is respected and improved by the community
and authorities that are charged with its care. This group is in recess as
of 2017.
Superb Parrot Project - Picola
The Superb Parrot Project was established in 1992 to protect and
enhance remnant Box-Woodland the primary feeding grounds of the
endangered Superb Parrot. The Superb Parrot nests in the Red Gums of
the Barmah Forest with the young fledging late spring. The annual count
takes place in November each year. The group consists of 50 farming
families and community members who work together to plant and direct
seed local native species to provide critical foraging habitat.
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