FINLEY

With a population of about 2500 people, Finley is located at the intersection of the Newell and Riverina highways, 145 kilometres west of Albury in NSW. The Wiradjuri Aborigines inhabited the area prior to European settlement when squatters from Port Phillip moved to the Riverina in the 1840s. Just 10 minutes from the Victorian border, Finley is a service hub for the diverse Berriquin Irrigation Area with produce that includes wheat, canola, rice, cereals, wool and vegetables. The 155-kilometre Mulwala Canal is the longest irrigation channel in Australia (which is bridged across the main street of town) and connects water from the Murray River to the west. Finley has an active sporting community and the man-made Finley Lake, which was officially opened in 1975, is a popular fishing, barbecue and recreation spot. Visitors to Finley can experience the Historical Museum, a pioneer log cabin replica at the Mary Lawson Wayside Rest area, the Railway Museum and Livestock Exchange.