Step into history at Bonegilla Migrant Experience
A former migrant camp, walk in the footsteps of more than 300,000 newly arrived migrants.
Spend a day at Bonegilla Migrant Experience, immerse yourself in post-war history and discover stories of resilience, hope and new beginnings which have shaped our multicultural landscape.
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When I set out to explore Bonegilla Migrant Experience, nestled on the outskirts of Albury Wodonga in the curves of Lake Hume, I wasn’t expecting to be drawn into a story that felt so personal. What began as a visit to learn about the waves of migrants who passed through this site became something much deeper, more unexpected. Bonegilla is a place where history speaks to you in the most surprising ways—and on this visit, it spoke to me in a way I never anticipated.
Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre, which operated from 1947 to 1971, is a site of remarkable historical significance. It was one of Australia’s largest migrant reception centres, processing more than 300,000 immigrants from all corners of the globe, many of whom arrived with little more than hope in their hearts and dreams of a new life.
From the moment the guided tour began, I could sense the gravity of the stories that had unfolded here. Our guide, a passionate local with a deep connection to the history of the site, brought the experience to life. She spoke not only of the challenges migrants faced upon arrival—adjusting to a new country, language barriers, the trauma of displacement—but also celebrated their resilience and determination to make Australia their home.
One of the most striking moments came when we visited some of the original accommodation huts, where migrants once lived in temporary accommodation. These huts were basic, with not much more than a few metal beds and communal facilities. The sense of uncertainty was palpable as we imagined what it would have been like, arriving in a foreign land with little to no support.
As we moved through the site, we came across personal belongings, photos, and letters—authentic mementos of the migrant experience. These items on display in the original buildings tucked in nooks and crannies, gave a face to the history, turning dry facts into lived experiences. I could feel the weight of the journey these people had made, and it was impossible not to think about what it must have been like to arrive in such a different world.
Then came the unexpected discovery. I decided to visit the interactive “Identity Card Lookup”—a chance to search the records of those who had passed through Bonegilla. I didn’t expect to find anything related to my family, but to my surprise, a match appeared—it was my grandfather, who had passed through Bonegilla in the 1950s. Seeing his name, the date of his arrival in Australia, and his face staring back from the yellowed card was an emotional moment. It was a connection I wasn’t sure I even had, and standing there,
surrounded by the very history he had lived, I felt a profound sense of pride and wonder.
I am eager to research and learn more about his journey, and I plan to look into arranging a plaque on The Arc Memorial Sculpture that stands on the site as a tribute to all those who passed through Bonegilla. Now, with this connection, it feels like the perfect place to honour him.
One of the most moving spaces on site is the Quiet Room, a place designed to let visitors pause and reflect. The room is simple, serene, and powerful. It’s a space where you can sit in silence and think about the stories you’ve just learned, the lives that were lived here, and the emotions that come with it. In the room, visitors can complete a small card with their reflections which are placed on a wall, alongside the thoughts of others, creating a collective, evolving record of personal impressions.
Filling out the card was a moment of deep reflection for me. As I wrote, I thought about how many others had walked this same path—strangers to each other, yet united by their shared experience of migration.
After the emotional highs of the tour and the discovery, I decided to take a moment to breathe in the fresh country air, and was greeted by a large group of kangaroos. Bonegilla is surrounded by open grassland and bushland, and it’s not uncommon to spot these iconic creatures on site.
As I watched them it felt like a surreal juxtaposition—kangaroos quietly grazing on the land where so many families had once stood, uncertain but hopeful. There’s something oddly symbolic in that—just as the kangaroos have made this place their home, so too had the migrants who passed through, carving out new lives in a land that was once foreign to them.
Leaving Bonegilla, I carried with me more than just facts and figures. I felt a deeper understanding of the human stories that are often hidden beneath the surface of history. The connection I found to my own family, combined with the chance to reflect on the broader experiences of migrants, made this visit feel like more than just a day out. It felt like an encounter with the past, a recognition of the shared human experience of migration, and a reminder that history is often closer to us than we think.
I highly recommend visiting Bonegilla Migrant Experience —It’s a place of surprising connections, emotional reflections, and a deeper appreciation for the histories that shape us all. And, of course, don’t forget to look out for the kangaroos—they’re part of the story, too!
- Written by Anna G, following a visit to Bonegilla Migrant Experience in November 2024.
