10 reasons to love a Murray River experience

The Murray River is Australia's most important and greatest river. Many national parks and diverse landscapes, over 100 towns along and nears its banks. 6 wine regions and some of the best river cruising in the world you'll love the Murray River as much as we do.

Because its the real Australia

Folkstories, heros and villains build the story. The Murray region is full of stories with bushrangers including Ned Kelly, explorers like Charles Sturt and legends like the Jack Reily, the Man from Snowy River. Discovering the Murray River is stepping into the soul of Australia's culture, heritage and foundation that makes our country great.

The people along the river in the communities are just as authentic today as during the 1800s when they had to carve out a living and develop their communities. The Murray River region is the Real Australian experience as the river winds from the mountains to the outback and then to the ocean.

Because the river is back to life again

The Murray River is back to life. After many years of drought, the river has had a great drink. The lagoons are full, birdlife is breeding, the yabbies are biting and the river is flowing. Its amazing that in a country of drought and flooding rains that the Murray River typifies the very saying from Dorothea Mackellar's famous poem, My Country.

After years of struggling from drought and irrigation demands the Murray River and Basin has come roaring back to life. Floodplains, lakes and river is now flowing freely into the Great Southern Ocean once again. Its looking magnificent once again.

Because there's so much to experience

Where do you start. No matter on the Murray River Trail that you start there's plenty to see and do...or not if you're into relaxing. There's amazing experiences that start from the mountains and the engineering feat of the Snowy Hydro System to the amazing Lake Hume near Albury. Unique river towns and stories that stretch back to the origins of colonial days and federation, through to major irrigation regions across Australia's food bowl.

The paddlesteamer capital of Echuca Moama and the beautiful forest of Barmah. The outback bounty starting in Swan Hill to Mildura and Wentworth and the confluence of Australia's other major river the Darling. Spectacular Chowilla floodplains, and the biosphere of the Riverland. Amazing food and wine experiences then down through the spectacular cliffs of the Murraylands to the massive Lake Alexandrina, Goolwa and the biodiverse Coorong. So much to experience indeed.

Because our Aboriginal culture is ancient

The Murray River region is one of Australia's oldest living cultural landscapes. Thousands of years before European settlement, the Murray River brought abundance to the many tribes along its banks where the traditions were passed on generation after generation. Existence of Aboriginal occupation of the Murray River starts way back over 40,000 years ago in the World Heritage Willandra Lakes and Mungo National Park north-east of Wentworth and north of Mildura and Balranald. The Mungo region was recongnised in 1981 because of its importance of both geological past and its record of Aboriginal settlement.

Because the Murray has the best playgrounds

There are great playgrounds all along the Murray River, however the Monash Adventure Park in the Riverland has been a destination for thousands of families for over 30 years. The Monash Adventure Park has been completely rebuilt and reopened in 1996 and is fun for all ages.

Mazes, slides, swings and more is a great day out for the whole family and definitely worth the visit. There's free electric barbecues and picnic facilities along with a paddleboat kiosk, and a lovely creek meanders through the park. One of the Riverland's most popular attractions.

Because there's a huge range of houseboats

The Murray River is the houseboating capital of Australia. There's a great range of boats from small boats for 2 to party boats for 12. Budget to five star luxury experiences. Without doubt a houseboating experience on the Murray River is one of the must do's in a lifetime. Be the captain of your boat, hang out with some family and friends to do what you want, when you want. The range of landscapes change constantly and you've got so much room for yourself. Hiring a houseboat is easy as you only need a car license and we guarantee its one of the most relaxing experiences you'll ever have.

Because its one of the world's great rivers

The Murray River is one of the world's greatest. In fact, the Murray is the third longest navigable river in the world, after the Amazon and Nile. It spans 3 states and is part of the third largest water catchment on earth. The river as part of the Murray-Darling Basin allowed for the development of inland Australia.

The river itself carves through 5 distinct landscapes, the mountains, steep banks and river gum forests, the outback and mallee, golden limestone cliffs and to the plains, lakes and mouth. Understanding the diversity of the river landscape and it's journey really allows you get connected to why people do fall in love with this great old man river.

Because of the paddlesteamer heritage

Sorry, we think if you haven't been on a paddlesteamer, you haven't lived. The amazing romantic experience of a paddlesteamer ride is one of the world's unique experiences. The Murray River has the largest range of operational paddlesteamers in the world. Lovingly restored, preserved and ready for you to get back to the origins that opened up Australia's way of life. From the first paddlesteamer launched in Mannum in 1853 you can still enjoy a range of boats by steam. There are still over 10 boats that are over 100 years old you can ride from the paddlesteamer capital Echuca to Goolwa. Put this experience on your buck list.

Because there's amazing food and wine

Australia's food bowl. Did you know that 40% of Australia's food comes from the Murray River region. You can experience all tastes sensations along the Murray River. Quality restaurants, farmers markets, fruit stalls, quality wine regions and growing beer experiences. The passion for food along the Murray River with the opportunity to catch the rare Murray Cod or Yabbie tops off the foodie experience.

Because we have Australia's best river cruising

To top off the cruising experience on our great river you can jump on the myriad of boats available. From the largest paddleboat, the Murray Princess to small cruisers that offer lunch and short trips through national parks. An on river experience is a must. Waking up to the chorus of corellas, with the clean crisp are and a sky filled with a trillion diamonds is just a magical experience you'll not find anywhere as you're moored near a 500 year old river red gum. Cruising the magnificent golden limestone cliffs, passing through a lock and stopping off at a Murray River winery are unique experiences to be enjoyed, shared and appreciated.