Albury Wodonga awaits: Culture, cuisine and character

The Murray River is full of adventure.Credit: Destination NSW

This is sponsored content for Destination NSW and Visit Albury Wodonga

Albury Wodonga is bursting with vibrant cultural activities, world-class hatted restaurants, a buzzing bar scene and charming vistas. Here, we reveal what to see, do, eat and explore in this riverside region.

Albury Wodonga, that straddles the Murray River on either side of the NSW and Victorian border, has more than 90kms of cycling and walking trails in and around the twin cities.

Wander along Albury Wodonga's scenic Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and you can spot turtles sunbaking on half-submerged logs and noisy pelicans partying.

It's the perfect combination of art and exercise while showcasing the striking contemporary work of 11 local indigenous artists that simply stops you in your tracks – literally.

The creative sculptures, along with information panels and videos accessed via smartphone, narrate the Aboriginal history and the cultural significance of the Murray River.

The popular 5.3 kilometre walk is part of the longer 8.5 kilometre Wagirra Trail that leaves from Albury's Kremur Street to the Wonga Wetlands and is suitable for cyclists and walkers.

Look out for the impressive sculptures including the riverside giant funnel style fish trap, a carved timber goanna lazing on a log and a tribute to Bogong moths flying high.

It's even more spectacular if you venture there at dusk or dawn.

Explore on foot

Delve into Albury's colourful past with the CBD Historic Walking Tour app or collect a map from the Albury Visitor Information Centre and head off. The full tour should take around an hour and a half to complete.

Discover the secrets and surprises of 21 sites spread over 13 locations marked by silver bollards.

They include the manicured Albury Botanic Gardens where a lofty 46m Queensland Kauri tree stars, plus a children's garden with dinosaur sculptures.

Another highlight is the Albury Railway Station with its grand Italianate architectural style. It is home to the longest undercover platform in the southern hemisphere.

There's even a little touch of 1930's New York glamour - check out the well preserved four storey T & G Building mini "skyscraper."

Albury Wodonga's scenic Yindyamarra Sculpture walk.Credit: Destination NSW.

Art fix

Vibrant artwork that challenges and intrigues can be found at Albury's eclectic art museum – Murray Art Museum Albury which stages exciting touring exhibitions and has diverse permanent collections. Fun, creative workshops are on offer to awaken your creative inspirations.

Water adventures

Surrounded by undulating hills, Lake Hume is a water lover's playground, located just 15-minutes from Albury Wodonga. It's perfect for swimming, wake boarding, kayaking and canoeing. You may be lucky to snag a Murray cod, brown trout, redfin or golden perch when you throw in a line. The dam that took 17 years to build and holds six times the water volume of Sydney Harbour. Take a walk across the dam wall for a spectacular sight - it's one of the best kept secrets for glorious sunset snaps.

Culinary delights

There's an exciting food scene to explore including the award-winning River Deck Cafe on the lush green banks of the Murray River in beautiful Noreuil Park with its huge plane trees that turn golden in autumn. Owner Alex Smit and Head Chef Ludo Baulacky offer a cosmopolitan menu using fresh local produce with a cosy fireplace in winter and a sunny deck in summer.

Bistro Selle, a European style bistro with Matthew Fuller and Tara Davis at the helm, offers contemporary bistro fare in Albury's CBD.

David Kapay does a modern take on European classics with his fine dining hotspot - the awarded Miss Amelie restaurant and Little Miss wine bar.

Housed in the former Wodonga Railway precinct, Kapay named them after an encounter with a whimsical fellow traveller, called Amelie on a French – Swiss train trip. His luscious lemon souffle is legendary as a sweet finale to a feast.

River Deck cafe, Albury.Credit: Destination NSW.

Check in here

Bunker down in the sophisticated CIRCA 1928 Hotel and Spa located in the former two-storey Commonwealth Bank in Albury's main street.

The striking art-deco building has two classy suites with deep copper baths, five chic spa treatment rooms, a retail area and art gallery. The spacious Dean Suite features a Pro Hart theme with the bank vault still in the bathroom. The second, the Stanley Suite, pays tribute to Andy Warhol – both artists were born in 1928.

The eye-catching Atura Albury, just a few steps from the Albury Botanic Gardens, has an industrial urban theme, bikes for hire, a pool and the fun Roadside Bar and Grill.

Mantra Albury Hotel is located in the Volt Lane precinct in the heart of the city's CBD. Its restaurant District Dining Bar and Grill features an innovative menu starring regional produce. The Yackandandah Walnut sticky date pudding has a cult following.

Find more to explore in the Albury Wodonga region at www.visitalburywodonga.com

For more NSW travel inspiration head to visitnsw.com