The charming city of Albury is positioned just off the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River, New South Wales. It covers an area that stretches from Splitters Creek in the west to the Victorian border in the south, and from the shores of Lake Hume in the East and Tabletop in the North. It is one of the largest inland cities in the state and offers everything a modern, trendy, cosmopolitan city should.

Albury is surrounded by so much natural beauty that it will be difficult for you to decide where to look first. Its position at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range means that it enjoys a stunning backdrop that also offers endless exploration opportunities. Even its position on the Hume Highway contributes to its popularity; it is situated practically midway between Sydney and Melbourne.

The city is also surrounded by a wide variety of tourist attractions, which include the Rutherglen wineries, the historic goldfields towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah and the Hume Weir. History and heritage seeps through these towns and attractions and they are all worthy of visitation.

Just a little further up the road, you will come across the Hume Dam and the Murray River. The Hume Dam holds six times the amount of water as does Sydney Harbour. It took a total of 17 years to build, making it the most ambitious public project of its time. It was built using horse power, steam engines and manual labour so it is safe to say that it is somewhat of an engineered masterpiece. The lake is now a mecca for water lovers and provides a year round playground. The shores of the lake are made up of some ideal picnic and camping sites, as well as plenty of sandy beaches to sunbathe and ski off. This is a great place to bring the family to spend a day outside in the sun.

Other popular outdoor activities to take part in while in Albury include fishing, sailing, jet skiing and windsurfing. Getting active in the great outdoors is a popular pass time on holidays and the opportunities to do it in Albury are seemingly endless.

The mighty Murray is the King of the region and its presence is greatly felt, within Albury and its surrounding areas. Boating and fishing are popular on this river and there is no better way to experience this then by hiring a boat and heading out on the water. Journey up the river and each bend seems to bring something new and exciting with it.

Visitors to Albury should also take some time to explore the magnificent reserves and parklands that surround the city. They encompass the best of nature and are ideal for family outings. Another great garden to check out would have to be the century old, award-winning Botanical Gardens, which are situated at the top end of Albury's main street.

The actual city's cosmopolitan feel reflects a unique multicultural heritage which tourists can't help but fall in love with. Its thriving nature is full of varsity and vitality and truly is a great destination for any kind of holiday.

Christine Barton