For friends

Time for a road trip

Gather your mates, besties or the old gang from school, pack up the car, and head to Deniliquin for some relaxation and unexpected surprises.

Gather the troops, get on the highway and point the bonnet towards Deni. It’s just 3.5 hours from Melbourne.

Accommodation: What’s your speed? Deni has a great choice of hotels motels, riverside resorts and even bush camping. Pre-book and make your arrival seamless.

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Dinner: If you’re lucky enough to have planned your arrival for the first Friday of the month, grab a bite at the Deniliquin Club in town and stay for Muso Night. It’s an open mic event, so why not bring a guitar and give it a go!

There’s live music most Fridays, so it’s always a good night, and a great way to kick off your weekend.

Morning: Start the day with coffee and something tempting from one of Deni’s bakeries and cafes. There’s plenty of choice, so whether it’s a healthy muesli or a big breaky fry-up, we’ve got you covered.

If it’s market day, join the locals. Markets are held twice a month: the Lions Club Community Market is on the fourth Saturday of the month, and Naponda Farmers Market is on the second Saturday of the month, both in Waring Gardens.

If the markets aren’t on, borrow free bikes from the Information Centre, grab a map and explore on the Town Walk. You’ll pass by historical buildings and sites, visit the gorgeous Island Sanctuary see the vibrant town sculptures, and scope out places for a tasty lunch.

Afternoon: Drop the bikes back and then it’s food time. You’ve got several choices, but you could do a lot worse than settling in for a long lunch at The Crossing Café, underneath the shady trees and umbrellas on the banks of the Edward River. It’s a fresh and tasty modern menu in a gorgeous setting.

Evening: Get cleaned up and head into town for dinner. After a big lunch, maybe try something lighter at a pub, club or one of the casual local restaurants.

Morning:

Grab a quick café breakfast in town then choose some glorious golf or the bliss of the river.

The Deniliquin Golf Club, close to the town centre, has 18 fairways meandering around the waterways and forests. A lovely par-72 course with just enough challenging water hazards to make life interesting, it also plays host to local birds and wildlife. This is the place for a fun, memorable round with good friends.

If golf isn’t your speed, spend a perfect sunny morning in Deniliquin floating downriver in an inner tube from beach to beach. A favourite launching spot is Willoughby’s Beach and an hour or so later you’ll arrive at McLean Beach. Or just head straight to McLean beach with a few books and magazines, paddle, stretch out in the shade, and enjoy a proper catch up.

Afternoon: Book ahead (a must!) and treat yourselves to something special. The Long Table is a farm restaurant offering a pure paddock-to-plate experience that you and your friends will love. They grow their own fresh produce, including honey, eggs and pork, and use their goats for milk and soft cheese. Located 20 minutes’ drive from town, you’ll need a designated driver or – better yet – grab a ride from one of the taxi operators in town.

Evening: Make the most of time with your friends while taking advantage of the stunning natural surroundings of the region. Soak up a balmy evening at a picnic spot for an easy barbecue. There are public barbecues at parks in town, as well as at many hotels, motels and campgrounds. Pick up supplies in the afternoon and settle in for a quit evening with mates. This is the life!

Morning: Whether you’ve over-indulged or kept it tidy the night before, a great start to the day is a superfood fresh smoothie and some strong coffee at Nourish. Pick up some snacks for a light lunch from the shops in town, and then it’s finally time to get on the water.

If you don’t own your own craft, you can always hire: choose from houseboats, canoes, kayaks and pontoon boats. Then a short boat ride upstream takes you into quiet forest waters. Do a spot of birdwatching, relax with a book, or try your luck fishing. Shrimps, worms, grubs, yabbies and cheese are the most popular baits, available together with licenses at local service stations and tackle shops.

Afternoon: With the catching up all done, and feeling relaxed, it’s time to pack the bags and head off home. On the way, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next group trip to Deni.