Set on the mighty Mulwala Canal, Finley is a laid-back town in rural New South Wales. It's part of the picturesque Riverina Region and is surrounded by a patchwork of rolling farmland and golden fields. There are a handful of shimmering lakes and lagoons and a rich railway heritage.

Things to do

At 155 kilometres, the Mulwala Canal is the longest irrigation channel in Australia. Finley's main street crosses right over the canal, which means you're never too far from the water. At the northern end of town is an interesting Wheels of Prosperity display featuring a vintage waterwheel.

On a hot sunny day, there's no better place to cool off than Findley Lake. There are plenty of picnic tables and barbecues available, so why not pack lunch and make a day of it? Keep an eye out for local birdlife, such as plumed whistling ducks and emerald green swift parrots.

Run by a team of train-loving volunteers, the Finley Railway Museum showcases a fantastic collection of artefacts, memorabilia and railway stories from people who worked on the original tracks. It's housed in the Heritage-listed Finley Station, one of Australia's few remaining "Pioneer Rail Standard" stations.

If you've ever wanted to stand on an Australian state line, head to nearby Tocumwal. The town straddles the Murray River between NSW and Victoria and is home to some fantastic cafes and farm-to-table restaurants. It also boasts a beautiful sandy foreshore dotted with over 20 beaches.

Getting around

Finley is compact, which makes it easy to explore on foot., but having a private car unlocks the rest of the Riverina Region. From Melbourne, the drive to Finley takes around 3.5 hours. Local trains also run from Southern Cross to Finley in around five hours.