Kerang Ibis Rookery, Kerang, Victoria

Murray River Attractions and Activities

The Murray River is a playground for the young, old and everyone in between. No matter what you're interested in you will find it along the Discover Murray Trail. We've created a list of things in some of the towns to start and you can explore each region's website from there.

Murray River Aboriginal Experiences

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. You can enjoy learning and understanding one of the world's oldest cultures.

Murray River Drives

One of the best ways to discover the Murray River is a local drive

The Murray River has some wonderful local drives in each region. Although our list isn't exhaustive, it does allow you a taste of beautiful river scenery, farmlands, river communities and much more through Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

Murray River Canoeing and Kayaking

The Murray River has some of the best kayaking and canoeing experiences in the world. We're not talking about rapids, instead imagine the peace and serenity as you silently glide and discover the backwaters, creeks and lagoons on one of the many dedicated kayak and canoe trails along the Murray River. There is so much of the river to explore with its bio-diversity and abundant riverbanks that sustain so much life.

Monash Playground, South Australia

Family Fun Holidays On The Murray River

Another great thing about the Murray and Mallee is how kid friendly we all are. We love kids to come and play in our region and you'll find a host of things that will keep children entertained while they learn about our great river region. You can also find some great budget things to do yet still have yourself a good family holiday. This includes history walks, playgrounds, fishing (permit for NSW/VIC), camping, interactive centres and more.

Fishing On The Murray River

The Murray river plays host to many species of fish and apart from the regulars such as Murray Cod, Callop, Catfish, Bream, Macquarie, Perch and Redfin, there are a large number of assorted fish which are largely unknown. For instance there are Gudgeon, Tupong, Freshwater Sunfish, Pigmy Perch, Line-eye Gudgeon, Tcheri or Hairback Herring, Silver Perch, Blackfish, Trout, (both Brown and Rainbow) Carp, Tench and many types of native Trout. One of the challenges for native fish are the European Carp. If you catch a Carp you cannot return it to the river and will be fined if caught. They are a pest which destroys river quality and fish habitats.

Golfing On The Murray River

The great thing about the Murray region for golf is you can take short trips along the river and link together a great golfing experience with unique courses and clubs. Use the Discover Murray Trail to visit some of the 41 courses in the Murray region and and have yourself a great Murray River golfing holiday.

Port of Echuca, Victoria

Historic Experiences and Museums

Discover Murray offers you some amazing and interesting stories of the Murray River and Mallee regions that have shaped Australia's culture, tradition and heritage. When you explore the stories of our region you'll begin to see the rich experiences to connect with. The Murray River is a fine thread that runs through Austalian communities and within each community are their own unique stories you can appreciate and learn to enjoy and experience.

National and Conservation Parks

The national, state and conservation parks of the Murray-Darling Basin are exceptionally diverse from lush Snowy mountains tops to the big red sunsets and diversity in the Mallee and the ruggedness of the Coorong. Victoria has a series of River Red Gum Parks including Murray River Park, Murray Sunset National Park and Hattah-Kulkyne. Some of our parks are Ramsar listed and as part of Biospheres. Enjoy the beauty that a water landscape brings to life along an ancient river system.

PS Melbourne in Mildura, Victoria

Paddlesteamers and Paddleboats

Australia has the largest collection of active paddle steamers and boats in the world, so this is a great way to experience the Murray River and it's bygone era. You can also follow South Australia's River Boat Trail from the Border Cliffs to Goolwa.

Paddle steamers and paddle boats have been on the Murray River and in the Murray-Darling Basin since 1853 when William Randell launched the first steamer the P.S. Mary Ann near Mannum, South Australia. Today you can choose to see the Murray in various locations with some great boat cruises.

Choose to ride the historic P.S. Marion built in 1897 at Mannum or enjoy the luxury of the Murray Princess. Visit the Port of Echuca where you'll find Australia's largest paddle steamer fleet with a variety of boats including Australia's oldest, the P.S. Adelaide or the EmmyLou In Mildura you can experience a great boat cruise on the P.S. Melbourne or the P.S. Industry in Renmark.

Proud Mary Cruises, Big Bend, South Australia

Murray River Cruises

Cruising the Murray River is one of the most amazing and surprising experiences you'll have. The Murray is much more than a river, it is quintessentially Australian experience. Within a relatively short distance from Adelaide and Melbourne you can experience jaw-dropping beauty, diverse history and luxury all surrounded by a sense of peace that has to be experienced to understand.

As the Murray carves its way through our sun-burnt and contrasting landscape you'll discover a new part of the world that's not overrun with tourists and will allow you time to reconnect with yourself, family and friends.

Romantic Getaways

When you're looking for that special weekend away or a long term holiday we can assure you that there's some pretty special experiences along the Murray River.

The Murray River region is close to capital cities but offers something difference in the romance department...a tranquil river and magical, ancient location. Unique luxury accommodation options, some of the best food and wine experiences set amongts great landscapes ensures you and your love will find time, space and the perfect environment to reconnect.

Fresh fruit stall at Wood Wood, Victoria

Slow Food and Flavours Of The Murray River

There are a myriad of flavours to enjoy along the Murray River. Too numerous to mention in fact. So here's a taste of what's possible on your Murray River experience.

Since the early days of irrigation in the 1890s by the Chaffey Brothers, the Murray River has been the food bowl of Australia. Large irrigation schemes have allowed an abundance of local produce to be grown and shipped all over the world. The Murray River and surrounds has now become one of Australia's most important primary production regions.

Murray River Wine Regions

Explore the beautiful vineyards and taste world class wine from the Murray River region.

The Murray River has some of Australia's best known wine regions. Through Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia you can experience a treasure trove of tastes, styles, flavours, landscapes and cultures.

Houseboat cruising at Headings Cliffs,
Renmark-Paringa, South Australia

Murray River Houseboats

You can do it! Imagine boarding your very own river houseboat and cruising up and down Australia's greatest waterway with family, friends, groups or couples while calmly discovering a whole new world.

Cruising up and down Australia's greatest river on your own fully self contained houseboat holiday is a great way really disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life. There's an abundance of wildlife, character rich towns, stunning riverscapes, and hundreds of kilometres of stunning landscapes waiting for you and your family and friends. Just magic!

always more to explore...

As you can imagine, a river system 2,520 km long has lots of things to see and do. Visit the local towns page where you'll find events, attractions and much more and contact the local visitor centre through the Murray River website where their helpful staff can assist you with all the great experiences in their region.

Visitor Information Centres | River Towns
Discover Murray River Trail | Events & What's On