Spring in the Murray region is renowned as a season to gather, celebrate, explore and discover, and we’ve curated an events lineup of epic proportions to help you do just that.
Whether your idea of a fun-filled springtime getaway involves visiting country shows, music or writer’s festivals, art exhibitions, field days, or food and wine extravaganzas, we guarantee this list of local goodies contains a gem to tickle the fancy of every discerning traveller.
If it’s warmth, colour, energy and delight you crave to help you emerge from your winter nest, you’ll find all that and more here in the Murray this spring.
If motorsport is your jam, a visit to the beautiful Wentworth area is a must this September for the 2024 Sunraysia Safari Cross Country Rally.
Taking place at the Wentworth Showgrounds, on the edge of Outback NSW, this event is the largest of its kind in Australia, with 1200 competitive kilometres covered over four days of competition.
Fully sanctioned by both Motorsport Australia and Motorcycling Australia, the rally is open to motorcycles, quads, cross country and ‘traditional’ rally cars, and selected off-road vehicles. Event organisers are anticipating a capacity field for 2024, so lock it into your calendar now and get excited for a motor racing event like no other.
Where: Pavilion Road, Wentworth Showgrounds
When: Wednesday 4 September - Saturday 7 September
When it comes to unforgettable experiences, this one is sky high! The Mildura Airshow is a major drawcard on the region’s event calendar, featuring awe-inspiring aerobatics by Australia’s top champion pilots, as well as rare World War II Warbirds in action.
And if that’s not enough, this unbelievable aerial spectacle of speed, power and agility is complemented with on-the-ground festivities including a delicious array of street food, market stalls, kids entertainment, car and motorbike displays.
Where: Mildura Airport, Alan Mathews Drive
When: Sunday 8 September, 10am - 4pm
The Mildura Show has a long and wonderful history steeped in tradition and guarantees fun for the whole family over two days and three nights of festival entertainment. The third largest show in the state behind Melbourne and Geelong, it brings people together from far and wide to join in the fun and excitement. You’ll find loads of fabulous attractions including a fireworks spectacular, petting zoo, goody bags, rides, carnival games, cooking, arts and crafts, knitting and sewing, flowers, farm produce, cattle, sheep, poultry and pigeons. There will also be horse events, machinery displays, show bags, market stalls and a food court loaded with delicious eats and treats.
Where: 16 Twelfth Street, Mildura
When: Thursday 17 October - Saturday 19 October
If a weekend filled with fantastic music and vibrant energy is calling your name, don’t miss the Murray Muster at Tooleybuc Sporting Club. This highly anticipated country music festival will feature performances from renowned country music artists including Grame Hugo, Sandie Dodd, Craig Giles, Robyn Gleeson, Col Thomson, Vanessa Waara, Bruce Green, Kinta, and Johnny Lovett. There’s plenty of accommodation options and RV parks available at the club and around town, so book your festival getaway today.
Where: 1 Lockhart Rd, Tooleybuc
When: Tuesday 24 September - Thursday 26 September
The Swan Hill Show has been a permanent fixture on the town’s events calendar for 126 years, so these guys really know how to throw a party. The two-day family event has all the favourite attractions you might expect of a good old fashioned country show, including carnival rides, show bags, fairy floss, dagwood dogs, competitions, delicious foods and a petting zoo for the littlies. There’s even a fireworks display on the Friday night to round out a fun-filled day of activity and excitement.
Where: 106 McCallum Street, Swan Hill
When: Friday 4 October - Saturday 5 October
Grab your family and friends and lock in a road trip to Barham Koondrook this spring for the twin town’s annual show. It’s a spectacular celebration of rural heritage and community spirit, jam-packed with tradition, adventure and excitement. This beloved event brings locals and visitors together for a special day filled with fun, food and festivities including thrilling rides, livestock competitions, local produce, and craftsmanship.
Where: Gonn Street, Barham
When: Friday 18 October - Saturday 19 October
Join a fun-filled day at Moama’s Rich River Golf Club with Dad and the family on Father's Day. The lakes around the fairways are fully stocked with fish, and the challenge has been set for you to catch them! The event features prizes for the biggest fish caught, raffle goodies, and loads of fun, so dust off the tackle box, grab the fishing rods and gather the troops for a day with a difference on the golf course.
Where: Rich River Golf Club, Twenty Four Lane, Moama
When: Sunday 1 September
No one does a roving food, wine and music festival quite like Perricoota Pop & Pour Festival. It’s the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure multi-venue festival on wheels. Showcasing Moama’s Perricoota wine region, this vibrant event has gathered a cult following over the years and is back in 2024 bigger and better than ever. Each venue along the trail hosts its own unique festival experience and scenery, all accessible on board the Pop & Pour shuttles. So gather your groupies, craft your own personal itinerary, and board the bus for a colourful day of eating, drinking and dancing on the Murray.
Where: Moama’s Perricoota Wine Region. Buses departing from various venues in Moama.
When: Saturday 30 November
The Deni Ute Muster is an outback, grassroots success story like no other. What started out as a world record attempt 25 years ago to muster thousands of utes in a paddock and put Deniliquin on the map, has now morphed into a world-class ute and music festival that attracts up to 20,000 people from all corners of the land.
The two-day event features international superstars and legendary Australian artists as well as the best up-and-coming homegrown country music artists. The sports arena hosts The Australian National Circle Work Championships, Ute Barrel Race, and the Go to Wo precision driving competitions. The Show N Shine competition features the coveted Ute of the Year title with a $2000 cash prize. This is not just an event for ute enthusiasts, but all vehicle lovers and families across the nation.
Where: 8235 Conargo Rd, Deniliquin
When: Friday 4 October - Saturday 5 October
Mexicans honour their dead with a joyful, loving celebration each year that is one of the most important festivities in their country. But you don’t have to travel to Mexico to experience the magical atmosphere of a Dia de Los Muertos event. Cactus Country, at Strathmerton, is hosting a Day of the Dead this spring in a joyful celebration of life, love and remembrance. Think colour, flowers, live mariachi music, a spectacular fire dance performance, Mexican street food, margaritas and moonlit wanders through their 12-acre cactus garden.
Where: 4986 Murray Valley Highway, Strathmerton
When: Saturday 2 November, 6pm - 11:30pm
Looking to partake in a physical challenge during your next visit to the mighty Murray? We’ve got the perfect event for you! The Massive Murray Paddle is an amazing five-day paddling adventure race that travels 415km over five days down the Murray River. You can paddle a canoe, sea kayak, surf-ski, outrigger, stand-up paddleboard, surf boat, prone paddleboard or any homemade paddle craft you have tucked away in your shed!
The event starts at Mulwala, and finishes at Koondrook Wharf, passing through the picturesque riverside towns of Cobram Barooga, Tocumwal, Echuca Moama, and Gunbower. This iconic paddle has been running for 54 years and raises funds for community programs and causes. If you sign up, you can paddle the full course length, or choose your own distance challenge. It’s a bucket list experience that you just have to try!
Where: Loop Track, Murray River, Mulwala
When: Monday 18 November - Friday 22 November
The Bald Archy Prize is an icon on the Australian art calendar for its satirical parody of the revered portraiture award, the Archibald Prize.
Founded by director Peter Batey, it includes cartoons and humorous works making fun of Australian celebrities, and it’s on exhibition at Corowa Art Space this spring!
Where: 100 Edward Street, Corowa
When: Saturday 7 September - Sunday 6 October
This five day festival of reading, writing and storytelling has been running since 2007 and is an annual must-attend event for story lovers everywhere. It attracts world-class authors and features literary lunches, dinners, poetry slams, workshops, panel discussions, author talks, writing competitions, performances and children’s events. The vibe is festive and friendly and offers a great mix of free and ticketed events catering to all ages and interests.
Where: Events take place in and around the architecturally stunning Library Museum, Retro Lane Cafe and sunny AEII square in Albury.
When: Wednesday 11 September - Sunday 15 September
The Henty Machinery Field Days was established back in 1963 and is now the largest outdoor agricultural event in eastern Australia attracting over 3000 businesses and 50,000 visitors in the one exhibition space. It showcases the cutting edge in farm machinery and agricultural business across the country. Even if you’re not the farming type, this event is an Aussie outback icon that has to be seen to be believed!
Where: 22 Lubkes Rd, Henty
When: Tuesday 17 September - Thursday 19 September
Believe it or not, this is not an exhaustive list of all events in the Murray! There are many more spring events in our region to discover. If you're planning a trip to our beautiful part of the world, be sure to check our events calendar to find out what's happening in the area you're visiting.
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