PS Cumberoona, Lake Mulwala. Image credit: Destination New South Wales
In need of a getaway that ticks all the boxes? From family-friendly adventures to romantic sunset cruises, golfing weekends with the boys, and balmy summer nights eating your way through seasonal menus paired with local wines, it’s time to hit refresh, North of the Murray.
We’ve pulled together 10 reasons that’ll have you packing your bags and hitting the road this summer to explore and recharge North of the Murray.
Relax and unwind during your evening meal as you dine alfresco at one of the local clubs and resorts, with plenty of places to enjoy sundowners with a lakefront view.
For a pub feed, grab your mates and cool off with a coldie at a local pub – make it progressive and explore the hotels in the surrounding villages. Save fighting over who will be designated driver and hire a minibus or limousine and a driver for the day.
Indulge in Italian dining at The Blacksmith Provedore, nestled on the banks of Lake Mulwala. Sip the evening away with a refreshing Spritz, local wines, or boutique beers paired with pizza and cheese platters.
Take to a walking track or two and explore the region by foot. Follow Kyffins Reserve’s 2.2 kilometre lakeside walking track which fringes the shoreline of Lake Mulwala and keep your eyes peeled for the resident black swans.
You don’t need to be an avid hiker to spend the day exploring Corowa’s Redlands Hill Reserve. Choose from four walking trails, ranging from 700 metres to 1.7 kilometres, with interpretative signage about the flora and fauna along the way.
Venture into Gorman Park for a natural bush setting and navigate the riverside trails lined with river red gums forest.
If surrounded by water is your go-to to recharge, spend a day on Lake Mulwala.
Settle in for the day, with picnic and barbecue facilities, to walking tracks, playgrounds, and even a lake pool.
If fishing is top of mind, cast your line from the shore or hire a boat to catch one of the local varieties found in the area, such as Murray Cod, Trout Cod or Golden Perch.
For those feeling more adventurous, add waterskiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and barefooting to your itinerary. Book a ski lesson at The Mulwala Water Ski Club, the largest licensed water ski club in the world.
For something with less horsepower, launch a kayak at the Urana Aquatic Centre or explore the Lake Urana Nature Reserve on foot, home to an abundance of native bird and plant life.
Renowned for bowling facilities, you’ll want to hit the smooth greens for an evening of twilight lawn bowls with clubs in Corowa, Howlong or Mulwala.
Throw down a picnic blanket and make sure you catch at least one country horse race at the Corowa Race Club.
From sculptures of indigenous art, and footsteps of the past, there’s plenty of history to be uncovered North of the Murray.
Discover more about Australian artists, Tommy McRae and Tom Roberts, and Corowa’s role in the birth of Federation Australia at the Corowa Federation Museum. Travel in the tracks of Tom Roberts on The Shearing the Rams Trail, a self-guided tour beginning at the Corowa Visitor Centre and passing through the Shearing Shed, the Shearing of the Ram Sculpture, The Corowa Saleyards, and ending at Gallery 294.
Rich with Indigenous and colonial history, the Howlong History Trail uncovers the stories behind the 28 locations from the Howlong Hovell tree planted in 1938 to the Howlong Golf Club, residing on the original location of the 100-mile Howlong Racecourse, that first took place in 1873.
Once you’ve got the historical lay of the land, don your art critic hat and browse the local galleries and art studios.
Step your way through Morundah, Mulwala, Lowesdale and Urana and discover sculptures by acclaimed scrap metal artist Andrew Whitehead like The Last Train from Boree and The Savannah Goanna.
From high-quality Australian whisky to organic Belgium style chocolate you’re in for a treat when visiting Corowa Whisky and Chocolate. Set inside an old 1920s flour mill, enjoy a bite to eat accompanied by a whisky cocktail, or make your own giant chocolate freckle.
Pick up fresh fruit and vegetables from local growers while perusing the market stalls at the Corowa Rotary Federation Farmers and Variety Market held on the first Sunday of each month at Bangerang Park.
If you’re looking to mingle with locals, the Corowa Community Garden is managed by the community and open to visitors who wish to drop by and pick fresh produce.
For wine lovers – set your sites on the Rutherglen wine region, just across the Murray River, and taste your way across the vineyards and cellar doors.
Load up the bikes and hit the trails along Mulwala Foreshore to Purtle Park Adventure Playground equipped with a flying-fox and picnic tables overlooking the lake.
For extra brownie points, make a stop at Mulwala’s Tunzafun Amusement Park and test your skills with the 18-hole Mini-Golf Course, ride the Carousel, and go wild on the Dodgem Cars and Krazy Kars.
From fishing to birdwatching and water-based activities, the Urana Aquatic Centre has loads of green space to picnic, lined with bike paths as well as a five-kilometre loop trail.
When it comes to booking accommodation for the night, weekend, or a week-long stay, you’re spoilt for choice.
For adventurous travellers, camp under open skies on the water's edge or, nestled in red gum forest, there’s plenty of free camping across the nature reserves and parks.
For extra comfort and family activities close by, load up the caravan or hire a cabin at a local holiday park. If resort living is more your style, choose from one of the many hotel and motel accommodations options or secure yourself a Self Contained B&B or holiday house ideal for family living, providing a restful retreat.
Calling all avid, budding or social golfers – you’ll need more than a day to hit all 90 holes North of the Murray.
Pack your clubs and make your way to Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, the largest inland course in the southern hemisphere with a total of 45-holes across three courses. Their most popular course, the Murray Course meanders through towering river gums and sandy river flats.
Play and stay at Corowa Golf Club rated in the Top 100 regional courses in Australia and enjoy their Gold Class cinema when you’ve used up all the daylight on the greens while Howlong Golf Resort’s 18-hole course will have you embracing country life while sharpening your swing.
For the best seat in the sunset house, take to the water with friends aboard a barby boat, equipped with a barbecue, speaker system, drink cooler, and tables and lounge.
If a chartered cruise is more your style, you’ll want to board the MV Paradise Queen, departing daily from the Yarrawonga Foreshore and the Mulwala Ski Club, cruising Lake Mulwala.
Dial the pace down a few notches with a paddlesteamer cruise on the PS Cumberoona, enjoying a long lunch on the water. For a more intimate occasion book a private charter on the Sienna Daisy Boat Cruise.
Want to learn more about what to do North of The Murray? Head to www.northofthemurray.com.au or follow @northofthemurray.
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