Moama
Moama is a town in the Murray region of southern New South Wales, Australia, located on the northern bank of the Murray River directly opposite the Victorian town of Echuca, forming a cross-border twin-town destination.[1]Established in the mid-1840s as Maiden's Punt by settler James Maiden, the area served as a vital river crossing and cattle market during the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s, with the town officially named Moama in 1851 following a land survey.[2]
By the late 19th century, Moama had grown into a bustling river port with infrastructure including a railway line (completed in 1878), an iron bridge over the Murray, and flour mills supporting wheat farming, though it faced significant challenges from major floods in 1870 that prompted rebuilding on higher ground.[2]
Proclaimed a municipality in 1890 with a population of around 700, it later merged into larger administrative areas, becoming part of the Murray River Council in 2016.[2][3]
At the 2021 Australian census, Moama's population was 7,213, reflecting steady growth in this semi-rural community with a median age of 49 years; the estimated resident population reached 7,879 as of June 2024.[4][5]
The local economy is anchored in agriculture—particularly citrus, stone fruit, and livestock production in the fertile Murray River valley—alongside manufacturing and food processing, contributing to the broader region's status as a key agricultural hub.[6][7][8]
Tourism plays a central role, drawing visitors to the historic river port heritage, paddle steamer cruises, fishing spots like Horseshoe Lagoon, and the nearby Perricoota wine region, known for varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Chardonnay grown in the riverside soils.[1][9]