At the Gateway Island Trail, a paved path along the Murray River and Wodonga Creek meets sculptures by local Aboriginal artists and a natural landscape shaped by eucalyptus trees. Wodonga also offers cultural venues, parks and trails to suit a range of interests. When planning your trip, it helps to look more closely: a single riverside route is different from the city-wide trail network, and the cultural offerings each have their own focus.

River Trails and Art on Gateway Island

The Gateway Island Trail is 4.3 kilometres long and follows a paved path along the Murray River and Wodonga Creek. Its features include sculptures by local Aboriginal artists. In the natural landscape with its eucalyptus trees, you may spot platypuses, wallabies, antechinus, water rats, wedge-tailed eagles, kangaroos, bats and spoonbills, among other wildlife. Along the trail, the waterways, eucalyptus trees and diverse wildlife all form part of the landscape.

The trail is accessible from Gateway Village. Its starting point is behind The Lincoln, 64 Lincoln Causeway, Gateway Island. The Crossing Place Trail is also on Gateway Island in Wodonga, at Gateway Lakes. It is near the original crossing points of the Murray River at its confluences with Bungambrawatha Creek and Oddies Creek. The two trails therefore have different points of interest: the Gateway Island Trail focuses on riverside scenery, art and nature, while the Crossing Place Trail is defined by its location near the original crossing points.

Comparing the trails with the wider network helps put them in context. The Gateway Island Trail is a clearly defined 4.3-kilometre route. Wodonga has more than 80 kilometres of trails in total, offering opportunities for leisurely cycling or challenging hikes. The 4.3-kilometre individual route is therefore one part of a city-wide network spanning more than 80 kilometres.

Cultural Attractions in Wodonga

At Gateway Village, HotHouse Theatre presents a range of live performances in an intimate setting. Visitors can often meet the actors afterwards. Gateway Gallery has a different focus: it showcases contemporary works by more than 50 regional artists. These include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, textiles and jewellery. If you want to explore different art forms, you’ll find a broad range here rather than a single medium.

Hyphen is in Wodonga’s cultural precinct at 126 Hovell St. The building is fully accessible, with two lifts serving both floors. These specific details may be useful when planning a visit. Hyphen, HotHouse Theatre and Gateway Gallery represent different cultural offerings: accessible spaces, live performances and contemporary art.

Parks and Nature Experiences

Belvoir Park combines a large open green space with mature trees and a lake that is home to numerous waterbirds. The park has two playground areas, including an all-abilities playground with elevated platforms, decks, slides, nets, a climbing wall and a Liberty Swing. Playground equipment can change, so it’s a good idea to check the current setup before your visit.

Wodonga’s nature reserves also offer opportunities to observe or photograph wildlife, birds, flowers and plants. A chain of reserves stretches from the southern outskirts of Wodonga through Leneva and Baranduda, with opportunities for walking and cycling. This is a different focus from the trails along the Murray River and Wodonga Creek.

The High Country Rail Trail includes a section from Wodonga to Old Tallangatta along the shores of Lake Hume. The trail can be used for cycling or horse riding along its entire length. For planning purposes, it helps to distinguish between the two: the section described identifies a route and its lakeside location, while the information about cycling and horse riding applies to the whole trail.

Discover more destinations: Kilsyth, Cottles Bridge, Tawonga, Rosebrook, Glenlyon, Lakes Entrance, Tarneit, Brooklyn.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.