roadtrips.southaustralia.com
The Murray River flows more than 2500km from the Snowy Mountains to the
Southern Ocean in South Australia. Follow one of the world’s longest rivers through its
ever-changing landscapes from the Riverland to the Murray Mouth. Experience history
and nature unique to each township whilst indulging in local food, wine and beer.
PRODUCED BY THE SOUTH AUSTR ALIAN TOURISM COMMISSION
Burra
Clare
Kadina
MU
R
Y
RA
Morgan 12
11
Portt
Wakefield
d
3
7
5
2
4 Berri
15
16
18 Murray Bridge
Tailem Bend
19
20
Renmark
Berri
Loxton
Barmera
Waikerie
Mannum
Murray Bridge
Strathalbyn
Goolwa
Victor Harbor
Yankalilla
VICTORIA
Visitor Information
Centres located at:
14
Mannum
Strathalbyn
Yankalilla
8
6 Loxton
Minlaton
17
Renmark
9
13
Gawler
Kingscote
10
Blanchetown
Tanunda
ADELAIDE
1
I V ER
Waikerie
Kapunda
Cape
Jervis
R
Pinnaroo
21 Goolwa
Gool
22
Victor
Harbor
Meningie
Pennesh
Penneshaw
Tintinara
y
Keith
Follow the journey of
Australia’s largest river
0
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
km
4
Bella Lavender Estate
5
919 Wines cellar door
6
Loxton Historic Village
7
Cobdogla Steam Museum
8
Banrock Station Wine and WetlandsPadthaway
Centre
19 Langhorne Creek wineries –
Kingston S.E. Bremerton and Bleasdale
Overland Corner Hotel
9
100
10
15
16 PSwMarion and Mannum Dock
Bordertown
Museum
Havenhand Chocolate Experience
and Illalangi Gourmet Foods
11
Caudo Vineyard Cellar Door
Wilkadene Mircobrewery
12
Morgan Historic Port and Museum
2
Ruston’s Rose Garden and Visitor
Centre
13
Big Bend by Night
14
Cliffs at Walkers Flat
Monash Adventure Park
17
Monarto Zoo
18
River cruising on board the
Murray Princess
20
Currency Creek wineries
21
Goolwa Wharf Precinct
–
Naracoorte
Spirit of the Coorong and Canoe the
Coorong tours
22
Narnu Farm
Robe
1
3
Proud Mary lunch cruise
Coonawarra
0
Beachport
Penola
75
km
Millicent
Mount
roadtrips.southaustralia.com
Port Macdonnell
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 2
Day 1
Loxton to Waikerie
Renmark to Loxton
You will think you have been transported back to the late
1890s when you visit The Village, historic Loxton. It’s great
family fun with more than 45 buildings and sites depicting the
early way of life for Riverland settlers.
The Wilkadene Microbrewery in Paringa (near Renmark) is in
an historic 100 year-old shearing shed. The stunning riverfront
location is a great place to kick back and enjoy a boutique
beer or cider.
Head west and stop in at Ruston’s Rose Garden and Visitor
Centre – the largest rose garden in Australia. The rose garden
covers 26 acres and features more than 50,000 roses from
almost 4,000 varieties. The café and gift shop are open daily.
Travel west on the Sturt Highway to Monash Adventure Park
– a guaranteed hit with kids. There are crazy leaning towers,
a Burmese rope bridge, swings and huge slippery dip.
Nearby Bella Lavender Estate is a fragrant experience. All
their lavender products are locally made and make great gifts.
Ten minutes from here is 919 Wines, which specialises in
heritage fortified wines. They also make alternative varieties
like Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Durif and visitors are
welcome at their cellar door, near Glossop.
Then head north-west on Kingston-Loxton Road to the
Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum. It was originally built
as a pumping station for the district’s vineyards, but is now
an educational experience. Check with the Barmera Visitor
Information Centre to see when the pump is operating.
There’s a lot to do for the active traveller – make the most of
canoe trails, bike trails and walking trails.
If you would rather indulge, head west from Loxton to
Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre. There are scenic
walking trails around the wetlands, and outstanding lunches
are served inside or on the stunning deck, along with Banrock
Station wine.
The Historic Overland Corner Hotel in Overland Corner was
built in 1859. It has the biggest beer garden in the Riverland
and offers lunch and dinner, but bookings are essential.
Day 3
Waikerie to Swan Reach
Havenhand Chocolates in Waikerie combines top quality
Riverland fruit with delicious Belgian chocolate. If you visit
when the chocolatier is working you can watch through a
viewing window, and their Chocolate Cafe serves all kinds of
chocolate treats as well as light meals.
Next, head west to Cadell and the Caudo Vineyard cellar door,
only metres from the Murray River. It’s a great spot to enjoy
some wine, but bookings are essential so please call ahead.
Continue west to Morgan, which was once the second
biggest port in South Australia. It’s now a popular holiday
retreat and the Morgan Museum charts early life in the area.
Almost three hours south of Morgan, Big Bend is the longest
bend in the Murray River and is known for its spectacular
riverside cliffs. Big Bend By Night run tours that give you
a good look at the nocturnal wildlife and amazing scenery.
Day 4
Swan Reach to Goolwa
Walker Flat, south of Swan Reach, is another spectacular spot
along the river with tall, ochre-coloured cliffs and a superb
lookout.
In Mannum on Mondays and Fridays you can join the
Proud Mary lunch cruise. Enjoy lunch and cruise past small
river townships, shack settlements and wildlife. Bookings
essential.
Also in Mannum, the PS Marion is a restored heritage vessel
from the golden years of riverboats. The boat takes short
cruises, and when it’s moored it forms part of the Mannum
Dock Museum, open seven days.
Continue south to Murray Bridge and onto Monarto Zoo,
the largest open range zoo in Australia. It is the home of
South Australia’s first ever Southern White rhinoceros and
Australia’s largest giraffe herd. The Zu-loop shuttle bus
around the zoo departs regularly.
Keep travelling south to Langhorne Creek, a wine region
known for its outstanding reds, but you will also find fantastic
crisp white wines. Wineries to watch out for include Angas
Plains Estate, Bleasdale Vineyards, Bremerton Wines and
Cleggett Wines.
Day 5
Goolwa
Historic Goolwa is at the mouth of the Murray River on Lake
Alexandrina. Spirit of Australia depart from here and cruise to
the Murray Mouth, or across the Murray Mouth and into the
Coorong National Park, depending on which tour you choose.
Canoe the Coorong is also based in Goolwa and offers all
inclusive, guided kayak tours of the Coorong, Murray Mouth
and Goolwa area. A great experience that takes you into a
special natural environment.
Over the bridge and onto Hindmarsh Island, kids love Narnu
Farm where they can help feed animals and hand milk the
cows. Horse riding is also available.
From Goolwa you can head up to Adelaide via McLaren Vale
or travel across to Kangaroo Island – Australia’s ‘zoo without
fences’.