Cummeragunja Reserve, Aboriginal community reserve near Murray River, New South Wales, Australia
Cummeragunja Reserve is a Yorta Yorta community territory on the Murray River in New South Wales, Australia, made up of residential and farming land. The area sits along the riverbank and consists of family lots alongside fields that the community works and manages.
The land was set up as a mission station in the late 19th century and for decades served as a controlled settlement for Yorta Yorta people under government oversight. Over the course of the 20th century, the community gradually gained more say over how the land was managed.
The name Cummeragunja comes from the Yorta Yorta language and refers to this stretch of land along the Murray River. Those who visit can observe how daily life here stays closely tied to the river and the surrounding land.
Access to the reserve requires advance permission from the community, so it is best to reach out directly and well before any planned visit. Taking time to ask about local protocols beforehand helps ensure the visit goes smoothly for both sides.
In 1939, a large group of residents walked out of the reserve and crossed into Victoria on foot to protest the living conditions imposed by the government. This walkout is considered one of the first organized civil rights actions by Aboriginal Australians in the country's history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
