The Murray River

The Murray River is the world's seventh largest river and one of the world's longest navigable rivers. It stretches 2,700 kilometres from the mountains of the Great Dividing Range in north-eastern Victoria to near Adelaide in South Australia. It varies from a mountain stream in its upper reaches to a wide meandering river lined with magnificent forests of red gum and sandy beaches in its lower reaches. The river is also home to plentiful animal and bird life and supports over 350 varieties of birds, as well as many species of mammals, reptiles and fish.

A history

Since ancient times Aboriginal tribes have lived along the river. After European settlement the system was followed by some of Australia's earliest European explorers including Hamilton Hume, William Hovell, Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, Charles Sturt and Edward John Eyre.

The river later became a trading route. By the late 1800s the river was busy with boats carrying supplies to and carting wool from the region's stations and homesteads. Today visitors can board an historic paddle steamer in the river towns of Mildura and Wentworth to experience this traditional form of travel and find out more about riverboat history.

Locks and weirs

Take the time to look at the weirs and locks along the river, which are part of the Murray irrigation scheme. They were designed and built in the 1920s and 1930s to provide pools for irrigation and allow for boats to move along the river year-round regardless of water levels. Today the locks allow paddleboats, houseboats, cruise and recreational craft to move up and down the river.

Mildura Weir and Lock 11 are separated by an island, and are popular places for pelicans and locals who fish for carp, perch, cod and bream.

In Wentworth visit Junction Park to climb the viewing tower and look out over the confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers, Lock 10 and weir. At Wentworth Lock near Wentworth see the fish ladder, which allows fish to move upstream when the river is flowing.  

Experience the Murray

There are many ways to experience the river. Captain your own houseboat and drift at your own pace, take a cruise through the locks, hire a boat for a day's fishing or paddle through wetlands and creeks in a canoe. For a faster pace, waterski along wider sections of the river.

If you prefer dry land, play a round of golf on a riverside course or visit one of the restaurants and wineries that overlook the Murray and combine great wine and food with stunning river views. For a more informal dining experience, spread out your picnic blanket on one of the sandy beaches that line the river.

Many and diverse walking tracks follow the river's course through natural bushland, including the Kings Billabong Nature Trail that passes local wildlife, including pelicans, wedge-tailed eagles, spoonbills, herons, goannas and kangaroos.

Aquatic activities

The lakes and rivers around Mildura have a long history as popular destinations for lovers of all things aquatic.