ACCOMMODATION MURCHISON EAST VIC

The Murchison Museum showcases the varied local history of Murchison and District. Murchison is the oldest European settlement on the lower Goulburn Valley. Its recorded history began in 1838 when the first of many pastoralists Hawden and Bonney, traversed the site on their epic cattle droving journey to Adelaide. Prior to this, the land had been occupied for ages by the Ngurai-illum tribe of Aboriginals. A reliable river punt crossing, then the first town bridge built in 1871 ensured the future growth of the town. Construction of the Trust pumping site near the town in 1885 and later the Goulburn Weir saw the beginning of irrigation. Many civic-minded residents worked to build a vibrant community in the ensuing years and many of its son's left for active service in the World Wars. During World War II the town serviced nearby prison camps. Murchison gained notoriety in 1969 when an ancient meteorite now known as the Murchison Meteorite, fell on the town. Many substantial facilities for sporting and cultural pursuits have been developed in the town through the years due to the efforts of dedicated and community minded residents....

During World War II, 4000 Italian, German and Japanese Prisoners of War were detained at Murchison. Those who died at Murchison were buried in the local cemetery but floods in 1956 did major damage to the graves. The Italian families in the municipality were persuaded by Luigi Gigliotti to pay for the building of a mausoleum - the Ossario. Luigi also convinced authorities to bury all the Italian Prisoners of War and detainees who died in Australian prison camps in the mausoleum. The Ossario is the home of mass celebrations each year around the time of Remembrance Day. The mausoleum, completed in 1961, is in Italian style. It is built of Castlemaine stone with Roman roof tiles, a campanile and an altar of Italian marble. Each year, on Remembrance Day, mass is celebrated before a large gathering. There is also an Italian war memorial and chapel. Elsewhere in the cemetery is the grave of King Charles Tattambo, the leader of the Goulburn tribe at the time of white arrival. He died in 1866. His son (the next leader) and widow were buried adjacent in 1874....

Heritage listed Thornebridge was built in 1868 as a Commercial Travellers Inn. Today she has been transformed into historic luxury accommodation with an unrivalled opulent restoration back to a bygone Victorian era, lavishly furnished with Victorian antiques and adorned with magnificent period lighting. The building commands centre stage nestled behind a magnificent heritage listed Plane tree on eight acres of river flats adjoining the Goulburn River with beautiful Victorian gardens. Each queen room offers luxury, space, privacy, quality linen, fluffy soft mattresses and will transform you into a forgotten time that you will not experience anywhere else. Thornebridge is ideal for that special occasion, an escape for the weekend, a weekend away with that special group of friends or family or just an excuse to get away. Situated just 90 minutes drive north of Melbourne it is the ideal place to relax and enjoy a monument to a lavish extraordinary period....