Autumn events in The Murray: Your must-see guide for March-May 2026

As the heat of summer gives way to golden leaves and crisp mornings, autumn in The Murray brings a fresh line-up of events from March through May.

This is the season of long lunches by the river, high-energy race weekends, country traditions and Easter celebrations that turn entire towns into long-weekend playgrounds.

Whether you’re a food lover, thrill-seeker, music fan or looking for the perfect family getaway, there’s an event to match your autumn mood in The Murray.

And if you’re visiting early in March, don’t miss the final days of Wonderland on the Murray in Echuca Moama, a whimsical sand sculpture trail that wraps up just as autumn begins.

Autumn is made for long lunches, live music and weekends that stretch from riverfront tastings to late-afternoon sets.

Kick off the festivities at the Swan Hill Food & Wine Festival (6-8 March, Swan Hill), where the region’s finest produce takes centre stage at the iconic Pioneer Settlement. Expect wine tastings, gourmet bites and live music — including Killing Heidi — on Saturday before rolling straight into Swan Hill Dine & Find on Sunday, a culinary trail through town, pairing top chefs with entertainment at every stop.

Lucky for you, laid-back festivals along the river are a regular occurrence around here. The following weekend is River Daze (14 March, Barham Koondrook) bringing food, boutique wines and big-name acts like Rogue Traders together. It’s always the kind of day that starts with a grazing platter and ends with everyone dancing.

For a different festival experience, head to the Cullulleraine Music Festival (20-22 March, Lake Cullulleraine). Folk, blues and indie tunes drift across the water as picnics unfold and families settle in for a weekend that feels unhurried and unpolished in the best possible way.

Whether you’re chasing headline acts or a quieter patch of grass by the lake, autumn in The Murray pairs local flavour with a soundtrack worth sticking around for, promise.

If high-speed action, roaring engines and polished chrome sound like your kind of weekend, The Murray delivers in a big way this autumn. From high-speed powerboat racing to classic car showcases, this is the season where horsepower takes centre stage.

Moama Boatarama (21 March, Echuca Moama) brings together everything from beautifully restored wooden classics to high-performance ski and race boats and proudly displayed local favourites.

The Mildura 100 Boat Race (5 April, Mildura) keeps the action firmly on the water, with a competitive boat race drawing crews and spectators eager for tight turns and serious spray. It’s pure speed and precision on the Murray.

At the Yarrawonga Powerboat Spectacular (17-19 April, Lake Mulwala), racers reach speeds of more than 280 kilometres per hour as they compete for the legendary E.C. Griffith Cup. Off the water, the three-day event features thrill rides, freestyle motocross displays and a sideshow alley, making it a high-energy weekend from morning to night.

The Rich River Rod Run (13-15 March, Echuca Moama) adds a classic touch, attracting entrants from across Australia for a weekend celebrating old-school style. Sunday’s Chrome Bumper Family Show and Shine sees hundreds of hot rods and customs line up.

Over Easter, the Mildura Easter Power Sports Show and Shine kicks off a weekend of adrenaline-pumping motorsports in town. All the locals head out for this one.

And for those who like to get involved rather than watch from the sidelines, the Albury Running Festival (24 May, Albury Wodonga) offers distances from family fun runs to more serious challenges, set against the scenic backdrop of the Murray River, of course.

Autumn in The Murray is when the towns turn it on, especially across Easter, when markets pop up and (rubber) ducks hit the water.

Start with Festival by the Sub (7 March, Holbrook), a reason for a road trip in its own right, but also set against Holbrook’s iconic submarine (yes, a real one) which has to be seen to be believed.

For something totally unique, the Annual Corowa Swim-In and Military Vehicle Gathering (9-15 March, Corowa) lets kids get up close to real tanks, military trucks and historic vehicles (in other words, it’s a dream event for budding history buffs).

Then there’s the Wakool Sheep Races (21 March, Wakool). Yes, real sheep. Racing. Add fashions on the field, food trucks and free camping and you’ve got one of our region’s most delightfully offbeat days out.

As Easter approaches, the calendar ramps up. Aurora in Bloom (20 March – 11 April, Albury Wodonga) transforms familiar garden paths into a glowing after-dark experience where you can wander through light, colour and interactive installations.

Across the Easter long weekend itself, there’s never any shortage of options around here. Easter in Deni (4 April, Deniliquin) brings rodeo action, art shows and markets together, while the Holbrook Easter Fly-in (4-5 April, Holbrook) adds ultralight aircraft displays and a hangar dinner amongst the planes to the mix.

And if you’re in it purely for a story to tell your friends, don’t miss the Mathoura Duck Race (5 April, Mathoura), where 1,500 bright yellow rubber ducks take to the water. You can practically hear the cheering from Deni up the road.

Plan your autumn escape to The Murray

From riverfront boat culture and country classics to Easter long weekends packed with markets, music and more than a few woolly competitors, autumn in The Murray is anything but quiet.

Browse the full events calendar to find your dates, book your stay and start planning your next weekend by the river.

Or let us do the work, ‘cause planning a holiday should be fun

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