As one of Australia’s most famous natural attractions, the Murray River may be overlooked as a holiday destination. The river meanders through South Australia’s landscapes on its way to the sea, from warm food bowls in the north to refreshing coastal lagoons in the south. Pass historic port towns along the way, where river travel is still a way of life. Here are our top picks for an unforgettable holiday on the Murray River.
Stay
Li’l Miss Champagne houseboat
Staying on a houseboat is a typical Murray River experience. Admire the ever-changing scenery as you sail during the day, then find a stopping point to whip off a storm and watch the colors of the setting sun dance over the red ochre cliffs at night. Li’l Miss Champagne sleeps 2 to 4 people and has two ensuite bedrooms. There is a fully equipped kitchen, barbecue facilities and a top-deck jacuzzi. Someone needs to put on the captain’s hat, but don’t panic – full training is provided before departure.
Embark in Mannum, about 75 minutes east of Adelaide, cruise for a few nights before returning to explore the lively port town. Don’t forget to bring local produce and a few bottles of wine to accompany those amazing sunsets.
Pike River Villas
Overlooking the Murray and Pike Rivers, these well-appointed luxury eco-villas are located 20 minutes south of Renmark. The spacious deck features a spa pool, the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Stone, polished wood and floor-to-ceiling windows blend each villa into the environment.
Six villas can accommodate 2 to 10 people, all with king-size beds and unobstructed river views. The Hideaway Package for Two includes a light dinner with chocolate and champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast, Riverland picnic basket, BBQ bag, dessert and a bottle of wine.
Eat
Pretoria Hotel
Mannham is a historic river harbour town located about 80km east of Adelaide and is an excellent base for river adventures. There are some great lunch spots, including the Riverview Bar & Bistro within Pretoria.
Take a seat on the riverside terrace and sample upscale tavern delicacies such as pork chops, sweet potato mashed kangaroo meat, grilled meat of the day or local curlang mullet. There are also vegetarian burgers (with homemade vegan spices), burrito bowls and vegan laksa. The wine list is almost exclusively South Australian wines, but there are also some interesting French wines, as well as an extensive gin list.
Drink
23rd Street Distillery
Renmark’s 23rd Street Distillery recently won the Australian Distillery of the Year award at the New York International Spirits Competition, and its modern tasting room and restaurant are the best places to find out why they won.
Here you can sample a variety of whiskies, vodka, brandy, rum and gin made from South Australian ingredients, with whisky made from 100% Australian malt and brandy from grapes from riparian regions. Local citrus and plants add flavor to the gin; You can taste red citrus gin or pomegranate vodka for an ultra-local flavor. The menu showcases some of the best local producers in the riverbank, as well as an extensive grilled meat platter, snacks and wood-fired pizza. It’s busy, especially on weekends, so it’s good to book early.
Do
Coorong National Park
Located less than two hours southeast of Adelaide, this expansive coastal lagoon landscape is the traditional land of the Ngarrindjeri people. It’s also home to some of the best birdwatching spots in the state: the Jack Point Pelican Observatory is a popular spot to see the largest pelican rockery (August to January is the best time to see the most abundant pelicans breeding ground), while beaches and lagoons are home to large populations of waterfowl and the endangered orange-bellied parrot.
Canoe the Coorong offers a variety of boat and tour options, including sunset tours or full-day guided tours that combine kayaking and bird watching (and jungle food hikes). Or hop on a comfortable covered cruise upstream from Goolwa to Mannum aboard the Spirit of the Coorong, which includes a comprehensive tour of the coastal waterway with informative commentary from a local guide and skipper.
If you want to bring a tent or camper trailer overnight, there are more than a dozen campsites within the national park.
Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Center
Banrock Station blends quality local produce with stunning natural surroundings. Visit the Wine and Wetland Centre of Murray Kingston for a tasting of fine wines and sweeping views of Ramsar’s recognized wetlands.
A range of creative, immersive experiences will take any of your visits far beyond the “splash and dash” of a typical cellar door. Enjoy a grazing picnic on deck, a guided tour of the wetlands, or a specially curated birding tour around the station, home to more than 190 species of birds. The two-hour guided trail tour and wine tasting will take you behind the scenes of the station’s ecological projects, ending with a guided wine tasting and morning tea, at which point you may be ready for lunch on deck.