Winding its way through three states and dozens of river towns, the Murray is one of Australia’s most iconic waterways.
It’s part of a broader network of rivers that shape life in this region including the Darling-Baaka, Edward, Goulburn, Campaspe and Ovens. But the Murray remains the backbone, especially when it comes to the locks and weirs that manage its flow.
These engineering marvels offer one of the most surprising ways to explore the river. You’ll find them in busy towns and quiet spots, with most forming part of everyday life. If you’ve never seen a boat rise through a lock or crossed the river on a cable ferry (no, they’re nothing like the ones in Sydney), here’s where to start.
Locks and weirs were built along the Murray in the early 1900s to regulate water for irrigation and navigation. A weir holds water back to control the river level. A lock lets boats pass through changes in height.
You’ll find 14 weirs along the river, most with navigation locks. Many of these are further downstream in South Australia, but in our region, there are five, plus other key sites like Hume Dam near Albury and Stevens Weir on the Edward River.
These structures help keep water moving where it’s needed and keep large parts of the river accessible for boating and day-to-day life. They offer a fascinating look at how the Murray has been shaped not just by nature, but by need.
Just downstream of the Murray-Darling junction, you’ll find Lock 10 which is one of the oldest on the river and still in regular use. There are picnic tables and river views to be found, plus a fishway that helps native fish travel upstream.
Just upriver on the Darling-Baaka, Wanderer’s Crossing River Retreat offers cabins and riverside camping. It’s walking distance to Wentworth’s main street as well as Lock 10 and Weir Restaurant, which is worth a stop for coffee or lunch.
The only Murray River lock separated from its weir by an island and yes, you can walk to it. It’s a 15-hectare bushland reserve, and by night, it becomes something else entirely. Lock Island is now home to Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights, an immersive installation of more than 12,000 firefly lights and glowing sculptures woven through the landscape.
Boats pass through the lock several times a day, so it’s easy to catch the action. Experience it yourself onboard a paddlesteamer (tours run almost daily through Mildura Paddle Steamers and the PS Melbourne) or by hiring a houseboat from operators like All Seasons Houseboats, Riverdream Boatel or Mildura Houseboats.
A short drive from Robinvale (mid-way between Mildura and Swan Hill), at Lock 15 you can see the zigzag concrete structure of the fishway from the bank, designed to help species like perch and Murray cod swim upstream. There’s a picnic area and river access too, making it a good detour if you’re passing through.
Just west of Echuca, Torrumbarry Weir includes a self-guided interpretive centre where you can learn how the Murray’s water is managed and diverted. Displays cover everything from fishways and irrigation, to river ecology, and the site includes remnants of the original 1920s trestle weir.
Today, Torrumbarry plays a big role in supplying water to farms and wetlands across the region including the internationally recognised Kerang Lakes. If you’re curious about how the river works behind the scenes, this is the place to stop.
This is the only Murray weir without a navigation lock, but it still plays a key role in how the river is managed. It creates Lake Mulwala, a popular spot for fishing, boating and lakeside holidays, and helps regulate flow downstream. The weir also includes a hydroelectric power station and a fish lift to assist native species moving upstream.
Near Albury Wodonga, Hume Dam is the Murray’s main water storage and one of the largest dams in the country. It captures water from the Australian Alps and regulates flow for farming, towns and environmental use downstream.
You can walk across the dam wall for sweeping views of Lake Hume or fish for trout, perch and Murray cod from the banks. You can even stay right on the water at Discovery Parks on both the New South Wales and Victorian sides. Just upstream, the heritage-listed Bethanga Bridge crosses the lake, an impressive steel truss structure that rises from the water and links the dam’s story to the early days of river crossings in the region.
Built to manage flows on the Edward River, Stevens Weir helps supply irrigation water to farms around Deniliquin. It’s a quiet spot with river access, a fish ladder and a picnic area, worth a short detour if you’re nearby.
North of Swan Hill, the Speewa Ferry has been crossing the Murray since 1904. It’s diesel-powered now, but still free to ride and carries two cars at a time. It’s one of only two ferries still operating between New South Wales and Victoria and a fun, low-key detour if you’re road-tripping through the area.
Near Albury Wodonga, the Wymah Ferry crosses between Wymah in New South Wales and Granya in Victoria. Built in 1946 and still in service today, it carries up to three cars and runs daily. It’s a scenic, slower way to cross the river and ideal if you’re taking the back roads.
The Murray has always been more than a scenic drive. Its locks, weirs and crossings tell the story of how people have shaped the river and how the river still shapes the region. Whether you’re watching a paddlesteamer rise through a lock or taking a car ferry to the other side, these quiet landmarks are worth a closer look.
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