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First Overland Mail CrossingPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates first overland mail crossing of the Murray River by John Conway Bourke in 1838.
The plaque was erected as a bicentennial project to commemorate the nation`s bicentenary in 1988.
22. The Historic Crossing Place. Situated downstream from the main Howlong Murray River Bridge. To the right of Rutherglen Road on the Victorian side, is a pleasant roadside stopping place. This stop is significant because on the night of 17 October 1836, Major Mitchell and his party camped here prior to crossing the River on his return to Sydney from his historic exploration of Western Victoria. In 1838 Mr Joseph Hawdon crossed here establishing the first overland mail service between Port Phillip and Sydney. Later in 1838 Charles Sturt set out to prove the Hume River and the Murray River were the same river
Howlong Historic Trail.
As at 17-February-2014 the plaque no longer exists on the stone.
Location
| Address: | River Road, Howlong, 2643 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -35.994632 Long: 146.620038 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Technology |
| Sub-Theme: | Industry |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1988 |
|---|
Australia
1788 - 1988
John Conway Bourke, carrier of the first overland mail from Melbourne to Sydney, crossed the Murray River at this point in January, 1838.
An Australian Bicentennial Project with financial assistance from the Commonwealth Government.
