Four relaxation-ready spots along the Murray
Relaxation and recreation seekers will relish the many options for dining, reclining and reenergising along the banks of the majestic Murray, particularly during the cooler months. Whether you’re travelling by water, wheels or walking shoes, you’ll find experiences tailored to your pace and desire for thrills – adventurous all the way through to lazily luxurious. Here’s a guide to getting energised or slowing down on the Murray.
Check in riverside, settling into a cabin, villa, powered or unpowered site at Discovery Parks – Maidens Inn, Moama, or if you’re all about the activities, head to Merool on the Murray for digs a stone’s throw from the swimming pool, games room and boat ramp. Now prioritise ‘checking out’.
Stroll along the boardwalks, be serenaded by birdsong and encounter the abundance of wildlife around Horseshoe Lagoon Nature Reserve and you’ll understand why this region is of great cultural significance to the Yorta Yorta people.
Switch gears at the Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail. Complete with wall rides, drops, flowing bridges, jumps and more, this seven-kilometre stretch is purpose-built for bicycle thrills welcoming all skill levels. Those seeking more spring in their step can’t miss Aqua Island – a floating, inflatable playground so big it could have its own postcode.
If you’re after the cool-down factor without the jump-around add-on, head to Moama Beach. As the day washes away wave at the paddlesteamers as they glide under the bridge that connects NSW and Victoria and contemplate what’s next on the menu. Celebrating its produce and position, Moama’s dining options delight. Wine-lovers will be drawn to Morissons Winery, which serves elegant seasonal fare while the waterfront location, fresh takes on hearty favourites and strong kids’ menu, make Riverbank Moama very inviting.
An early dinner frees up your evening to head out to Barooga for Bullanginya Dreaming. Take a starlit trail through the bushland bordering Bullanginya Lagoon and be wowed by towering sculptures, dazzling light displays and evocative soundscapes celebrating connection to Country.
If you’re heading off the next morning, Three Black Sheep is your go-to for a punchy breakfast.
While Deniliquin is steeped in the proud, high-octane buzz of the Deni Ute Muster, there’s so much to allure if relaxing is your aim. Experience the quieter version of this iconic event year-round at the dedicated Deni Ute Muster Museum, or walk the streets to see the sculptural tributes throughout the city – where else can you get a selfie with a Ute on a Pole? Continue your stroll past the regal red gums along the Beach to Beach Riverside Walk, which takes you from McLean Beach to Willoughbys.
A tributary of the mighty Murray, Edward River (Kolety) offers a more peaceful pace for water travel. Rent a canoe and push out from the Edward River Bridge Picnic Area, which has a wheelchair-accessible kayak launch and make your way along the Edward River Canoe and Kayak Trail. Should a larger, lazier vessel take your fancy the BIG4 Deniliquin has pontoon boats for hire. They can carry 10 people and no boat licence is required – you just need to be a licensed driver (aged 21+).
The BIG4 is a great place to rest your head or get one more adventure out of the day. Set along a 400m stretch of private river frontage, you’ll get your water sport fix, then retreat to a villa and cabin. Alternatively, Riverside Deniliquin Caravan Park is just 250m out of town and offers cabins, villas, powered and unpowered sites. Erring on the quaint side, you’ll be able to totally switch off.
Feed your body and soul with the health-focused fare from Nourish – think acai bowls, sushi and turbo-charged smoothies. Take things up a notch beyond the Deni limits at Restdown Wines for wine tasting and nibbles packages (and organic beef to take home too) with add-ons including guided wetland tours. If you’re in town for the weekend, head to The Timbercutter for a vibe so in demand that booking is recommended. Enjoy drinks and local produce cooked over wood – in the smoker, on the charcoal grill, or in the pizza oven. Some menu items are even named after colourful Deni characters.
Six times the size of Sydney Harbour, Lake Hume’s shoreline is steeped in natural beauty ripe for discovery. Settle into your cabin or camp site at Lake Hume Holiday Park, say hi to the resident alpacas, ponies and sheep before getting the lay of the land and deciding your itinerary.
You’ll be in close proximity to the vibrant Albury scene. Stay lakeside for a long lunch at The Boatshed, or head into town for wow-factor croissants – just one of the drawcards at Frankies. Norma masters the humble vibe of an Italian trattoria while Dux is a newcomer with ‘rising star’ status. The sleek dining room and menu that takes in inspiration from Australia’s many cultural communities gained the restaurant a Critics’ Pick in the SMH Good Food Guide 2025.
After sampling the best of the dining scene, slow the pace and tune into the rhythm of nature. Wonga Wetlands on the Murray River floodplain is being gently restored from grazing land – wildlife, waterways and an Aboriginal scar tree are just a taste of the sights in this 80-hectare haven of life.
If there’s one walk you do, make it the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk – a 5km-trail that presents 15 sculptures by Aboriginal artists. While you’ll find information on each piece along the way, book a Walk on Country with the Wiradjuri storytellers from Giilangyaldhaanygalang to experience a deeper connection with a place where creativity meets context.
Switch up your experience from walking to wheels with a network of cycleways to choose from. Tackle the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk in the bike saddle, follow the Thurgoona Trail or cruise along public art trails, too. If more art is calling your name, head to the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) to experience work that responds to community and culture.
Chart a course for the moon and navigate to Mungo National Park. Incredibly expansive and utterly extraordinary, the lunar-esque landscape lends itself to travel by vehicle (preferably a 4WD). Tackle the 70km self-guided drive tour and marvel at the Walls of China and Red Top lookout, before stopping for a packed lunch at the Rosewood picnic area.
Using Mildura as your basecamp is both convenient and rewarding, with so much on offer. Discovery Parks Mildura, Buronga Riverside is a peaceful cove with cabins and sites and the communal firepit is the perfect place to decompress.
From here, you’re in easy reach of wineries that turn the region’s agricultural bounty into liquid gold. Making award-winning wines and food that heros locally sourced, seasonal produce, Trentham Estate Winery is one spot you’ll want to return to. If you like the sound of small-batch wines, put the cellar door of Monak Wine Co on your list. But, if buttermilk hotcakes and an on-point coffee is more your scene, take your pick from the three slick Nash Lane cafes in Mildura.
The many loops of leisure along The Murray make it the perfect place to unwind and reenergise. Slow down the pace and recalibrate in nature – the river awaits.
