Picture this: the sun is going down and you feel a tug on the fishing rod. You put down your drink, reel a Murray cod onto the deck of your houseboat, and then prepare it for the frying pan. The sky is turning on a light show – gold, then pink, then mauve – reflecting off the tranquil water.
Discover the Murray by Boat
Renting a houseboat is the ideal way to explore the many picturesque sections of the Murray, the third-longest navigable river in the world, behind the Nile and the Amazon. From its genesis in the hills beyond Corryong in north-eastern Victoria to its mouth at Encounter Bay, South Australia, it stretches about 2,560 kilometres.
Traditional Townships by the Murray River
Along the River’s banks, amid the red-gum forests, colourful townships have emerged. One of these is Albury Wodonga, a thriving, modern area with a leisurely country style, with a charming mix of stately heritage buildings, established parks and tree-lined streets. Further along the Murray, enterprising winemakers have been taking advantage of the fertile land and mild climate around Rutherglen since the early 1800s.
Activities Abound in Yarrawonga-Mulwala
The twin towns of Yarrawonga-Mulwala, separated by the Murray River, boast a large and beautiful man-made lake and attract holidaymakers, golfers, anglers, tennis players, aquatic sports fanatics, bushwalkers and campers from all over the world.
Charming Echuca
Located two-and-a-half hours north of Melbourne, Echuca was Australia's largest inland port in its heyday, when paddle-steamers plied their trade up and down the river, carting provisions and goods. Nowadays, the Port of Echuca has been completely refurbished, creating a stunning tourist precinct.
Mungo National Park
Mother nature is also a star attraction, with the Mungo National Park offering striking sand, salt and clay formations. Mungo National Park is unforgettable, as is the Murray and the towns which surround it.