The Murray River

The Murray River is one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. It stretches 2,700 kilometres from the mountains of the Great Dividing Range in north-eastern Victoria to near Adelaide in South Australia. It varies from a mountain stream in its upper reaches to a wide meandering river lined with magnificent forests of red gum and sandy beaches in its lower reaches. The river is also home to plentiful animal and bird life and supports over 350 varieties of birds, as well as many species of mammals, reptiles, and fish.

Since ancient times Aboriginal tribes have lived along the river. After European settlement the system was travelled by some of Australia’s earliest European explorers including Hamilton Hume, William Hovell, Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, Charles Sturt and Edward John Eyre and later became a trading route. By the late 1800s the river was busy with boats carrying supplies to and carting wool from the region’s stations and homesteads. Board an historic paddle steamer or visit museums and the river towns of Albury Wodonga, Echuca-Moama, Swan Hill or Mildura to find out more about riverboat history.

There are many ways to experience the river. Captain your own houseboat and drift at your own pace or take a cruise through the renowned Barmah State Forest, hire a boat for a day’s fishing or paddle through Kings Billabong in a canoe. For a faster pace, waterski on Lake Hume, Lake Mulwala, Lake Charm or on wider sections of the Murray River.

If you prefer dry land, play a round of golf on a riverside course or visit one of the many restaurants and wineries that overlook the Murray and combine great wine and food with stunning river views. For a more informal dining experience, spread out your picnic blanket on one of the sandy beaches that line the river.

Many and diverse walking tracks follow the river’s course through natural bushland. Follow the High Country Rail Trail in Albury Wodonga, Barmah Lakes Loop walk in the Barmah State Park near Echuca-Moama, or the Kings Billabong Nature Trail in Mildura past local wildlife, including pelicans, wedge-tailed eagles, spoonbills, herons, goannas and kangaroos. Alternatively, launch in a balloon at sunrise from the river flats around Mildura and see the river from the air.