Prior to European settlement, the area around Nathalia was occupied by the Yorta Yorta people. In 1838, Charles Sturt was the first European to explore the area, following the Murray River downstream. The squatter, W.J Locke established Kotupna station on the future site of Nathalia in 1843. The station was broken up for closer settlement in 1869. A selector, Richard Blake took up the townsite in 1875 and established a sawmill and flour mill soon after. Hotels, a post office, schools and churches followed and Nathalia was officially gazetted as a village in 1880. The railway arrived in 1888, allowing local production to increase and a butter factory was established in 1895. The Nathalia Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.
Economy
The main industries in Nathalia are cropping, dairy farming and grazing. Some of the town’s major businesses are Rex James Stockfeed, Trans Tank International, Remax Products and Ryan’s abattoirs.
Education
Nathalia has five schools, both a government high school and primary school as well as a regional Catholic college and a Catholic primary school. There is also a campus of the Glenvale School, an independent primary and secondary school. There is also a pre school and a new child care facility in Nathalia.
The Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre is a large building featuring displays on the history and the environment of the nearby Barmah Forest and Barmah National Park. The centre opened in 2011 with funding from the Victorian government and the Moira Shire Council. A feature of the building is the use of redgum timber recycled from the old wharf at Echuca. It is open from 9.00am-5.00pm every day.
Sporting
The town is well known for quality sporting facilities for its size. Notable sporting clubs in Nathalia include Nathalia Football Club competing in the Murray Football League. Recent premierships for the NFNC are 2005 2006,2007,2008, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Golfers play at the course of the Nathalia Golf Club on Paynes Road. Nathalia also has an active Canoe club, Lawn tennis club, bowls club and the Nathalia Association Cricket Club. The annual agricultural show is held on the first Saturday in October. The Nathalia and Lower Moira Agricultural Pastoral and Horticultural Association held its first agricultural show in 1888, after a prolonged drought in the district. A New Year's Eve carnival is held every year. Nathalia is developing its creative arts tourist potential through the Nathalia Living Arts/ Rural Arts Project under the guidance of internationally recognised resident artist William Kelly.
Natural Attractions
The Barmah National Park and Murray River is only a short 15 minute drive from Nathalia. The national park is the world's largest redgum forest and is listed as a Ramsar site of international significance. The Murray River is always a very popular destination for camping, water skiing and fishing. This tourism over summer is of great benefit to Nathalia. The Goulburn River and Lower Goulburn National Park is also a short drive from Nathalia and is a good fishing and camping destination.
