Bowna on Lake Hume: Water and Village History

Bowna is a place whose history is closely linked to Lake Hume: in 1934, Bowna was flooded by the Hume Weir, now known as Lake Hume. This turning point is part of what makes the place distinctive. Here, the history of a flooded village, experiences on the water and a section of the Hume and Hovell Track come together. Bowna therefore offers different perspectives to consider when planning your trip: you may be interested in water activities, exploring traces of the old settlement or including the region’s walking routes in your plans.

Lake Hume and the Traces of Old Bowna

Lake Hume Holiday Park is in Bowna, on a 2-kilometre stretch of private Lake Hume shoreline. Activities offered at the park include swimming, fishing and boating.

The 1934 flooding remains part of the area’s history and can still be seen directly under one particular condition: when Lake Hume’s water level is very low, the mud-covered remains of old Bowna’s houses and bridges become visible. These traces make the village’s transformation tangible. They are not a permanent sight, but one that depends on the water level being very low.

Walking in the Bowna Area

The section of the Hume and Hovell Track from Lankey's Creek to Bowna passes through Woomargama National Park. This connects Bowna with a walk along this particular section of the track. The entire Hume and Hovell Track stretches for 426 kilometres between Yass and Albury. This total distance gives the broader context of the long-distance trail; it is not the length of the section from Lankey's Creek to Bowna.

When planning, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between the specific section and the entire track. If you are interested in walking, the route through Woomargama National Park offers one way to shape your trip. The lake and its activities provide a different focus. You can explore Bowna according to what you would like to prioritise, without combining the two experiences into a single outing.

The Historic Village and Life in Earlier Times

Historic Bowna developed on the main road between Sydney and Melbourne. The settlement was intended to serve the rural population and travellers. This earlier role places Bowna within the history of transport and everyday life along the road. Historic Bowna held an annual horse race on Easter Monday. The race belongs to the settlement’s past and adds an account of a recurring event in village life at the time.

Old Bowna Cemetery is also a point of reference for the area’s history; it is on private property. Bear this in mind when planning how to explore Bowna’s historic traces. Together, the flooded settlement, the remains visible at certain times and the accounts of earlier village life tell different parts of the story of how Bowna has changed.

Which Holiday Accommodation Is Right for Your Stay in Bowna?

When looking for holiday accommodation in Bowna, you can start by considering which aspect you would like to shape your trip: water activities at Lake Hume Holiday Park, the history of the flooded village or the Hume and Hovell Track’s walking connection. These interests offer different reasons to choose Bowna as a destination.

For the broader travel overview: Greater Hume Shire Council.