Morven, with a population of less than 250, is believed to be named after a mountain and town in Scotland. The area was first settled in the 1860s when Captain T.J. Saddlier and his wife camped by the deep waterhole of nearby Hamburg Creek. This waterhole became Morven’s main water supply and supported a large Chinese market garden, though it now only fills after rainstorms.
A hotel was established near the waterhole to service the Cobb and Co. Coach route, offering comfort to passengers, drovers, and bullock drivers. By 1887, Morven had expanded with three more hotels, a railway station, and a school. As the town grew, the waterhole could no longer meet demand, prompting the drilling of bores into the Great Artesian Basin.
Today, Saddliers Waterhole and Hamburg Creek serve as a tranquil oasis for travellers. Surrounded by large red river gums, it offers welcome shade and is an ideal spot for visitors to unwind and refresh after a long day’s journey.