http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/439577_articles-australia-murray-river.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:58:56 GMT Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:58:56 GMT http://RealAdventures.com http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/439577_articles-australia-murray-river.htm 100 100 http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1184272_Riverland-Relaxation http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1184272_Riverland-Relaxation Articles Australia Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:09:12 The Riverland in South Australia seems almost like it could be custom designed for a campervan holiday. Picture this rolling countryside divided into a patchwork of lush orchards, where exotic fruits such as olives, citrus, garlic, apricots and grap -
The Riverland in South Australia seems almost like it could be custom designed for a campervan holiday. Picture this rolling countryside divided into a patchwork of lush orchards, where exotic fruits such as olives, citrus, garlic, apricots and grap


The Riverland in South Australia seems almost like it could be custom designed for a campervan holiday. Picture this rolling countryside divided into a patchwork of lush orchards, where exotic fruits such as olives, citrus, garlic, apricots and grapes hang off the vine and branch. Splitting the region in two is the mighty Murray River, which flows past high limestone cliffs and expansive wetlands, breathing life into the fertile soils and giving character to the countryside. A number of small towns in the Riverland provide bases for the fruit and fresh produce industry (one of the biggest in Australia), and it is in these that you can find hospitable caravan parks to base your motorhome in. The scenic riches around you and the laid back, accommodating atmosphere in the towns will ensure that your tour of the Riverland is one you'd like to repeat again and again.

The Riverland extends for 300 kilometres, marked at each end by the townships of Waikerie and Renmark. The former is the closest to Adelaide, and is reached by an easy two and a half hours drive from there an easy drive through picturesque countryside. At the centre of the region is Barmera, which is the biggest town in the Riverland and undoubtedly the commercial centre. At 221 kilometres from Adelaide, its a bit far for a daytrip but just perfect for a weekend away!

Barmera sits on the shores of Lake Bonney, and water sports enthusiasts take full advantage of this fact. On any given day the lake's horizon will be dotted with the sails of boats and windsurfers and boats towing wakeboarders, waterskiers and other strange inflatable contraptions regularly zoom past. Yacht races are regularly organised, attracting crowds of enthusiasts and spectators. The lake is big enough that there are still areas of peace and quiet where anglers can try their luck with the many species of fish lurking beneath the surface. If you can tear yourself away from the lake there are a number of fun ways to entertain yourself in the town. A favourite place to visit is the Rocky Country Music Hall of Fame, which was established to honour local country legend Dean 'Rocky' Page. Inside is a huge collection of memorabilia and instruments, commemorating all the Australian greats such as Slim Dusty.

On your tour of the region Waikerie is a town you should definitely call into. It gives the impression of a place where nobody takes themselves too seriously probably helped along by the fact that all the garbage cans in town are the shape of oranges! As it is an internationally recognised destination for hang gliders, on any given day the skies are dotted with these large, silent planes gliding high above the surface. A number of majestic old sandstone buildings on the main street add to its character, and you can find out all about the town and the surrounding attractions at the Orange Tree Information Centre, located right on the Sturt highway. A trip to the Scenic Lookout is especially enthralling perched atop high cliffs it offers stunning views of the Murray River.

Travelling through Australia you may have seen the 'Berri' insignia on various fruit juice products. Well, the town of Berri is in the Riverlands, and its the source of all these tasty juices. A visit to the town will take you past the 'Big Orange', the ubiquitous tourist attraction that commemorates the main local industry which here is of course the citrus and fruit industry. There s a tower and a museum, and great views from the top of the 'orange'! After a visit there head on to Berri Ltd, where their products are for sale, and you can find out the process fruit goes through from the vine to the juice bottle!

Of course you cannot visit the Riverlands without indulging in the feature that gives the region its name the Murray River. Whether its enjoying a barbeque on the grassy banks under the a shady tree, or hiring a boat and some fishing rods and getting out for a bit of fishing, the Murray is the perfect place to recharge and forget about all of your stresses. Houseboats are also a popular form of escape on its wide and smooth waters, and a great way to finish off a day is with an evening cruise nothing beats watching the sun go down with a drink in hand, serenely floating down the river.

Thats actually a good word to sum up the whole Riverland region serene. Its a place big enough to see something new everyday, but small enough that you dont have to travel too far in your campervan for a change of scene. Theres plenty of places to stay, every town has its share of caravan and tourist parks. So forget about your worries and head to the Riverland for that break youve been craving all this time!
Details & Reservations: Riverland Relaxation
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]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1183665_Riverland-Country http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1183665_Riverland-Country Articles Australia Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:06:46 The fertile fields of the Riverland draw life from the long hours of sunshine falling on them and from the smooth flowing waters of the mighty Murray River offering up a juicy bounty of grapes, citrus fruits, nuts and stone fruit. -
The fertile fields of the Riverland draw life from the long hours of sunshine falling on them and from the smooth flowing waters of the mighty Murray River offering up a juicy bounty of grapes, citrus fruits, nuts and stone fruit.


The fertile fields of the Riverland draw life from the long hours of sunshine falling on them and from the smooth flowing waters of the mighty Murray River offering up a juicy bounty of grapes, citrus fruits, nuts and stone fruit. As a result this picturesque area has a substantial dried fruit industry and is the largest wine producing region in Australia but thats not all its known for. Holiday makers have been coming here for years to enjoy a vacation in the sunshine, utilising the Murray River for all sorts of recreational activities. The climate is mild and sunny, the landscapes are beautiful, and the people are friendly. And at the heart of it all lies Barmera, a pleasant town with a country atmosphere that will wash away the stress of your everyday lives!

The Riverland extends for 300 kilometres from Renmark to Waikerie. Lying 170 kilometres away, Waikerie is the closest town to Adelaide and is reached by a easy 2 and a half hour drive in your hire car. Barmera is 220 kilometres from Adelaide a pleasant drive through leafy fields and the lush South Australian countryside. Its not quite close enough for a daytrip, and in fact you would want at least a weekend to enjoy exploring the region, because theres a lot to see.

Barmera is perfectly located on the shores of Lake Bonney, and as a result has become South Australia's favourite aquatic playground. The fresh water lake comes alive with boats, canoes, kayaks and jetskis on the weekend. Anglers are attracted from far and wide by the lake's reputation as a fishing hotspot, and on any given day they spread out along its shoreline or head into the deeper waters in a tinny or canoe. Sailing is also a popular pastime, and the yacht club here has an enthusiastic body of members. Every weekend they organise yacht races that provide an impressive spectacle which is well received by onlookers from the land. The lake is a beautiful spot, so many just choose to relax and enjoy the scenery over a few drinks or a barbeque. There is an impressive amount of wildlife living around the lake and on the adjoining wetlands, so keep your eyes open for wallabies and the like and different species of birds.

Barmera town itself is a vibrant place, coming alive throughout the year for many festivals and shows its residents dont hide the fact that they like a reason to celebrate! It has a rich history, dating back to about 1838, and this is evident in a lot of its attractions. Definitely worth a visit is the Overland Corner Hotel, located 18 kilometres north of Barmera on the Morgan Road. Commissioned in the 1850's as a refreshment point for weary travellers (mostly cattle drovers) and locals, today its now a pub with a museum in it housing many artefacts from the past. Theres a great atmosphere for you to soak up here! Another historical place to visit is the ruins of Nappers Old Accommodation. Although it is just a shell now, and certainly not a place to pick up a drink, this hotel was built in 1863 and used to be a vital storing place for crop supplies for the farmers in the region.

Of course you cannot pay a visit to this region without spending a bit of time appreciating the majestic Murray River. It is also a haven for watersports, and fishermen will relish the challenge of capturing one of the elusive Murray cod. The best and most popular way to appreciate the Murray however is on one of the large houseboats that are often seen floating past. Day cruises are available on these, as are simple sunset cruises nothing quite beats watching the orange rays of the sinking sun reflecting off the smooth waters with a sundowner in hand. The houseboats can be hired for longer periods of a night or more where you self drive them up the river and find appropriate places to dock at night. It is a refreshing taste of freedom and independence on the water that you will never forget, and that you will probably want to repeat as soon as you can!

Back in Barmera Town another popular attraction is Rocky's Country Music Hall of Fame. Built to commemorate local country music legend Dean Rocky Page, it houses a range of memorabilia from a range of country stars and has a large ten metre high replica of a guitar. This town is big on its country music, and hosts an annual festival that attracts country fans and singers from across the country. If country isnt your thing but your stuck for something to do, then head to the drive in, one of the last in South Australia. It shows current release films and is a fun outing for adults, kids or couples.

There is a large range of accommodation in Barmera, so whether you want to camp, stay in budget accommodation or treat yourself to a fancy hotel you will be catered towards. Remember you can always be adventurous and hire a houseboat! Wherever you stay your time here is bound to be refreshing and invigorating, and you will take home some special memories set amongst spectacular landscapes.
Details & Reservations: Riverland Country
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]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156859_The-Murraylands-Houseboat-Holiday-Heaven http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156859_The-Murraylands-Houseboat-Holiday-Heaven Articles Australia Tue, 20 May 2008 23:05:20 The wide expanse of the Murray River flows past sedately, lazily making its way to the ocean. The setting sun reflects orange off its still surface, broken only by the fishing line and float that you have thrown out in hope of catching an elusive Cod -
The wide expanse of the Murray River flows past sedately, lazily making its way to the ocean. The setting sun reflects orange off its still surface, broken only by the fishing line and float that you have thrown out in hope of catching an elusive Cod


The wide expanse of the Murray River flows past sedately, lazily making its way to the ocean. The setting sun reflects orange off its still surface, broken only by the fishing line and float that you have thrown out in hope of catching an elusive Murray cod. Across the bank a substantial group of migratory waders preen themselves in the shallow water, and upstream a large house boat drifts slowly into view. Except for the sounds of nature the evening is quiet, and while you sip on your sundowner you think how infectious this tranquility is.

This may all sound like some sort of daydream, but in the Murraylands this is the reality of life a reality that attracts thousands of tourists each year who come to recharge their batteries and enjoy the peace of the Murray River environment. The powerful river breathes vitality into the dry Mallee region, creating stark contrasts in landscapes which highlights the lushness of the areas directly around the Murray. Just an hours drive from Adelaide, the Murraylands are easily accessible and the perfect option for a weekend away. Visitors flying into Adelaide just need to pick up a hirecar at the airport, and in no time at all they can be relaxing on the green banks of the Murray!

The ultimate way of seeing the Murraylands is from the water, and it is no surprise that a houseboat holiday is the premier vacation idea for the region. There are over 80 houseboats operating in the Murray and most of them come equipped with all the luxury fittings to make your stay on them a pleasure. No special license is required to hire one, you just need to be above 18 and to hold a valid driving license. Training and tuition as to how to drive them, the river conditions and mooring spots is provided before you leave for your trip. Of course you do not have to commit to taking out a houseboat to get onto the water, there are shorter cruises too. Some of these go for a day and some just for a few hours, but all of them give you the same relaxing satisfaction of being out on the water.

The towns of the Murray share the laid back and relaxed feel that is so typical of this region, and wherever you choose to stay you will be welcomed with open arms. Murray Bridge is the largest town on the river, and has everything the tourist may need or want. A range of accommodation options is complemented by shopping centres, restaurants and sporting facilities, and there are attractions such as the Dundee Wildlife Park, the Avoca Dell Mini Golf and the Sturt Bunyip Reserve which help make it a great retreat for the whole family. Along the river shore there are numerous leafy parks and barbeque areas where you can appreciate the quiet serenity of the river from.

With so much water around its no surprise to learn that one of the primary recreation pursuits in the Murraylands is fishing. Expect to hear plenty of 'the one that got away' stories when it comes to the Murray Cod. This elusive freshwater fish grows to over 100 kilograms and is notoriously difficult to catch, which makes it quite the talking point amongst local fishermen. It makes great eating, which adds to its appeal. Dont let its phantom nature put you off fishing however, because there are lots of species that are just as tasty that roam the river such as the yellow bellied callop. Its always a good idea to befriend a couple of locals and pick their minds for the best fishing spots and techniques whenever fishing in a strange area.

Just when you think you have seen and done everything in the Murraylands you hear about the Monarto Zoological Park. This 100 ha sanctuary combines the concepts of zoo and wilderness to create a an open range area where numerous exotic species roam. Expect to see herds of giraffe, zebra, ostrich and zebra wandering through the natural bush setting. Its like your very own African safari! Located at the town of Monarto which is the gateway to the Murraylands, the park is an important breeding program and a great place to bring the kids.

Whether its for a love of the great outdoors, a bit of fun and adventure or just a relaxing and rejuvenating break, your reasons for visiting the Murraylands are bound to be satisfied. The vast river system and the historical towns are easily explored in a rental car, and the diversity of the region ensures that whatever your age or your interests, you will find something in the Murraylands to make your holiday special.
Details & Reservations: The Murraylands Houseboat Holiday Heaven
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