Tallangatta

Towns & Villages

The town that moved in the 1950's – Tallangatta is conveniently located on the edge of Lake Hume and only a short drive from Albury/Wodonga.

Tallangatta was originally founded in the 1870s and served as a rail gateway for the Mitta Valley and Upper Murray Valley. Gold and tin mining occurred in the area in the late 1800 and 1900s. After the mining era, Tallangatta became a service centre for the local farming community and a butter factory operated throughout much of the 1900s. When the road transport links improved, the rail link ended. Today you can walk or cycle the High Country Rail trail and still see old rail trestle bridges.

Today, the Tallangatta township is home to 935 people and is a busy little town with a supermarket, several cafes, takeaway stores, several pubs, many parks, several primary schools, a high school, a medical clinic, petrol station and more.

Tallangatta has many accommodations on offer including; a caravan park, bed and breakfasts, motels and hotels.

Take a short drive out of Tallangatta toward Wodonga, up to the Tallangatta Lookout where you'll experience some great views of the township and Lake Hume below, or take a trip out to Old Tallangatta and see where the town used to lay.

When Lake Hume is at full capacity the Tallangatta Foreshore is the perfect place to go for a swim, put in your boat, fish or allow the kids to play at the new splash park and take a photo with the silver pelican.

Tallangatta has lots to offer you all year round, so what are you waiting for? Come and visit.

Old Tallangatta History

Settlers arrived in area of the present day Old Tallangatta in the late 1830s after securing leases from the Crown to graze and farm the land. The settlement was initially established at Tatonga before moving northeast to the junction of the Mitta Mitta River and Tallangatta Creek. Due to frequent flooding, it was relocated again and eventually developed beside Tallangatta Creek. The town was officially named Tallangatta in 1854 and became an important supplier for regional goldfields.

By 1873, Tallangatta became the headquarters of Towong Shire and when rail arrived in 1891, it significantly boosted the population and economy. The rail line facilitated transport for agriculture and mining and served as a rail gateway for the Mitta Valley and Upper Murray Valley.

Since 1918, the township lived under the threat of being submerged, as the area was being considered for a major reservoir. However, the first stage of the project was completed in 1936, and the township was ultimately spared. Yet it was always the intention to expand the reservoir's capacity and talk of moving the town soon began.

Following WWII, the demand for irrigation water increased and Tallangatta would be moved. Much ‘discussion’ took place as to where to relocate the town with three potential sites favoured. Ultimately, the town would relocate to Brolga.

Relocation would take place from 1952 to 1958. Find out more about the 'town that moved in the 50s' at the Old Tallangatta Lookout.