Visit the Riverland and Murraylands
Author: Abby Allen, December 2003

South Australians love holidays on the river and during winter, the mild, calm days provide still and beautiful conditions for a river cruise. Our Riverland and Murraylands regions are gorgeous and unique locations, drawing visitors from near and far.

The peace and tranquility of the river, teamed with the endless options for water-based activities means a holiday on the river can be as relaxing or action packed as you like.

Imagine the morning mist hovering over the glassy waters of the River Murray. Take in the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, marvel at the towering ancient red gums or explore lush wetlands. The sandstone cliffs and rugged mallee countryside provide distinctive surroundings and many stories of the past wait to be unraveled.

Fruit growing has played a pivotal role in the Riverland’s success. 90 percent of South Australia’s citrus, stone fruits and nuts are grown in the Riverland and visitors can meet the growers at their roadside stalls. The region also supplies the state with around 40 percent of its wines.

A favourite way to enjoy the River Murray is aboard a houseboat. They offer the unrivalled freedom of having accommodation and transport combined in one vessel so you can explore all the twists and turns of the river in luxury. You can fully appreciate the region’s scenery aboard a houseboat and they are perfect for group holidays as some boats can sleep up to 12 people. When you imagine soaking up the sun on the modern deck, gliding by the towering cliffs and relaxing while pelicans paddle by, it is easy to understand why hiring a houseboat is one of South Australians’ top holiday pastimes.

Quality Houseboats provide a great range of services and are situated at Blanchetown at the Griffens Marina.

Visitors can enjoy many eco tourism experiences on the river and many places are trying to build an awareness of the problems facing the Murray.

A range of water sports and recreational activities can be enjoyed on the river and there are several businesses’ that hire out equipment. You can go water skiing, knee boarding, wake boarding, kayaking, canoeing, bush walking, four-wheel-driving, camping, cycling and even skydiving.

Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes on the river. The Murray cod is the largest freshwater fish in the river system and can weigh up to 100kgs. Callop is the most sought after fish in the river because of its succulent flavour. You can hook a callop all year round. You can try for yabbies in the warmer months. These small crustaceans normally like to shelter at the river's edge beneath fallen timber and tree roots. Silver perch, catfish and Murray River crayfish are totally protected species and must be returned to the waters immediately while the European carp, mosquito fish and red fin are non native species and it is illegal to return them to the river.

When you are looking for a place to eat, the Mallee Fowl Restaurant is well worth a visit. The restaurant was awarded ‘best themed restaurant’ in 2002 and is set in the mallee scrub, one kilometre from the Big Orange. It is rich in memorabilia and serves traditional bush tucker.

As far as accommodation in the Riverland goes, there are options to suit any taste and budget. Visitors can choose from motels, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, resorts, country clubs and cottages.

The unspoiled beauty of the Murraylands has a splendor all of its own.

The Murraylands has one of the most characteristic landscapes in the state. The mallee is a unique Australian environment and many mallee parks can be explored in the region. Mallee refers to a eucalypt that grows with several stems rising from a common root. It is linked to ecosystems that receive a yearly rainfall of between 250-450mm. From a distance, all mallee vegetation looks very similar but when you look closely you discover a great diversity of plants. Native pines, large eucalypts, shrubs and spinifex, banksias, lichen, moss and orchids can all be found.

Touring through the Murraylands is sure to make any visitor hungry. The region offers a range of dining options from hotels on cliff tops, restaurants on riverbanks and cafes overlooking wetlands. Each town has lovely picnic locations on the banks of the river or in open reserves.

Many museums, art galleries and craft stores are located in the region. One worth a visit is the Mannum Dock Museum of River History. The unique history of the area is explained at the museum and there are many interesting artifacts to view. Mannum is a popular day trip location, just an hour and a half from Adelaide. Enjoy a picnic in the magnificent Mary Ann Reserve, explore original paddle steamers or visit the Mannum Waterfalls.

Despite the environmental problems with our country’s longest waterway, there are still many experiences to be enjoyed on the River Murray. While visiting the Riverland or Murraylands, keep the environment in mind so everyone can enjoy these beautiful regions for many years to come.

For more information phone the Riverland Hotline on 1300 657 625 or the Murray Bridge Visitor Information Centre on 8539 1142. You can also visit www.riverland.info or www.murraylands.info

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