Murchison is a small rural village located on the Goulburn River, Murchison is the oldest town in Northern Victoria. The surrounding countryside contains orchards, vineyards and dairy farms.
In 1878, Murchison became the base for operations against Ned Kelly and his gang. The railway reached Murchison East in 1880. The building of the Goulburn Weir for irrigation in 1887-90 meant that the Goulburn River was no longer navigable by paddle steamer leading to Murchison declining in importance.
Approximately 4,000 Italian, Japanese and German prisoners of war (POWs) were interned near the town between 1941 and 1947. Dhurringile Homestead, 11 kilometres to the north, was used as a POW camp for German officers while the Italians and Japanese were kept at an internment camp in the town.
Origin of name: Named after an early white settler, Captain John Murchison.
Points of Interest: Murchison meteorite; Days Mill; Murchison Meteorite site (1969); Goulburn River; Ossario Italian war cemetery. During World War II many Italian prisoners of war were interned in this area. A Prisoners of War Memorial to those who died was erected in Murchison; 'Noorilim' (c.1870); Site of the original punt; Riveted steel bridge (1937); Day's Steam Flour Mill (c.1865); HM Prison Dhurringile.