Murray River accommodation
The Murray River is one of the world’s longest navigable rivers and a major source of water supply for southern New South Wales, northern Victoria & South Australia. Located on the banks of the river the historic Port of Echuca provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience an operating steam port where restored paddlesteamers chug their way along this majestic river. Further downstream near the South Australian border is Mildura, often referred to as the Mediterranean in the outback, with its picturesque citrus groves and vineyards, endless sunshine and the cosmopolitan feel of the city. The town has also developed a world-famous reputation for good food and the quality and diversity of its produce and eateries.
Located on the banks of the Murray River, the historic Port of Echuca provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience an operating steam port. Once the centre of Australia’s inland trade, paddlesteamers would bring their cargoes of wool from as far as the Queensland border, connecting at Echuca with train transport to Melbourne, where much of the wool would be exported to London.
Today, you can see as many as a dozen steamers moored along the riverbank, and you can journey onboard one of the port’s three fully restored paddlesteamers that still ply the river. Back at the wharf, you can chat to shipwrights as they continue to restore the fleet, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, watch craftsmen turning redgum or re-trace the port’s history at the Echuca Historical Museum.
Mildura is a charming oasis by the Murray River. The area is often referred to as the Mediterranean in the outback, with its picturesque citrus groves and vineyards, endless sunshine and the cosmopolitan feel of the city. The town has also developed a world-famous reputation for good food and the quality and diversity of its produce and eateries.
Beyond the lush, green countryside of the riverbanks and irrigation areas stretches the Australian outback. Explore the sand dunes of Mungo National Park in the World Heritage Listed Willandra Lakes, a sublime, ancient environment containing some of Australia’s most significant Aboriginal sites or the Mallee with its abundant wildlife, diverse flora, rugged outback scenery and striking sunsets.
