Understanding River Landscapes

Heritage Values

Australia's riparian country is culturally important for its heritage significance. River landscapes have featured throughout the history of white settlement and as places of significance for indigenous Australians. As a source of food, shelter, ceremony and settlement, river landscapes are strongly linked to our sense of place.

Conservation of this heritage as essential elements of river landscapes ensures that we continue to appreciate the special significance of rivers to many cultures.

Canoe Tree, Barmah Forest, VIC

This picture is of a 'canoe tree' in the Barmah Forest on the Murray River in Victoria. It shows the scar left after bark was prised off by Aboriginals to make a canoe, probably more than 100 years ago.
 
 

Steam Pump Chimney, Waikerai, SA

The town of Waikerie in South Australia depends on irrigation water pumped from the Murray River for its thriving citrus industry. The picture shows an old chimney used in the days when the pumps were steam powered. It is now classified by the National Trust.