There’s comfort in the familiar. The same kind of holiday, year after year, because you know exactly what you’re getting. But this year, what if familiar didn’t mean fixed?
Love a self-contained cabin? There’s a version that floats. Always beach holiday people? The Murray’s got sandy beaches too. If a hike’s more your thing, there are trails here waiting to be explored. And if wineries, distilleries or a good food and wine weekend are calling, bring your appetite. Whatever your usual holiday looks like, here’s where to start finding your new favourite.
If a self-contained cabin is your usual style, why not try one that floats? All Seasons Houseboats and Mildura Houseboats offer everything from cosy couples' escapes to spacious, luxury houseboats for the whole extended family. All Seasons even has two boats fitted with glass lifts, making houseboating more accessible. For something a little different, River Dream Boatel offers a floating hotel experience in Mildura. In Deniliquin, Edward River Houseboats lets you explore the quieter waters of the Edward River.
Fancy a visit to Australia’s largest inland beach? Thompson’s Beach at Cobram Barooga is exactly that, wide, sandy and naturally formed by the river with towering red gums for shade. Around Tocumwal, you’ll find close to two dozen beaches (enough to visit a new one each day of your stay). For those who love the beach to themselves, the beaches in Deniliquin offer a quieter experience. Swimming, splashing about, building sandcastles, Murray River beaches offer everything you'd get from a coastal beach, just without the salt. And, with so many places to explore, perhaps it's time to swap your usual for a new one this time?
The Murray region has got options for every kind of walker. For something short and scenic, Deniliquin's Beach to Beach Riverside Walk or the Moulamein River Walk are perfect for those who like an easy pace. If you're after a full day out, Woomargama National Park near Holbrook and Hattah-Kulkyne National Park are ideal for an adventurous bushwalk. There's no shortage of trails around Albury Wodonga either. Downstream in Wentworth, the Junction Island Nature Reserve and Walking Track takes you to where the Murray meets the Darling, the same point where Captain Sturt stood when he named the Murray back in 1830. Wherever you end up, there's a pace and a place for anyone who feels the pull to head outdoors.
Love a festival? The Murray region’s got so many, chances are there are some you’ve not tried yet. The Deni Ute Muster is a classic and an event to add to your bucket list. Echuca Moama’s Winter Blues Festival brings live music to town every July and the Swan Hill Food and Wine Festival is worth planning a whole weekend around. The thrill seekers will love Mildura’s Easter Powersports Weekend, and the Massive Murray Paddle can be enjoyed from multiple vantage points as it winds its way down the river. Try a new festival, and you might just see the region in a whole new light.
We’ve all got our go-to bottle, but wine, beer and spirits are always evolving, and the Murray region’s producers are some of the best around.
Around Mildura, take your pick from Monak Wine Co, Trentham Estate Winery, Chalmers Wines and the newly opened Stephens Family Estate. Squires Winery and Barham Vines each have their own unique style worth trying in other parts of the region, and south of Echuca Moama, the Heathcote wine region is well worth the day trip.
If spirits are more your thing, Murraydale Distillery near Swan Hill, Echuca Distillery and Corowa Distilling Co are always busy crafting their old favourites and special small batch releases. Oh, and don’t forget about Tocumwal Brewing Co, Murray Towns, Two Lads Brewing and the new Sunneva Brewing. All options for the beer drinkers.
Aside from the pour, half of the fun is hearing the story behind the bottle, straight from the people who made it. But a story’s always best told in person, so pull up a stool and hear it for yourself.
Maybe it's a houseboat instead of a cabin, or a new stretch of sand. Perhaps it's a festival you've never been to, or a cellar door you've never knocked on. It's still the holiday you love, just seen from a different angle. Open yourself up to something new, and you might just find your next favourite
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