Murray River

The majestic Murray River wiggles its way across nearly 1500 miles of southeastern Australia, sketching the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria as it goes. It’s the country’s longest watercourse, flowing from high up in the Great Dividing Range down to Encounter Bay on the South Australian coast. Those willing to drive its entire length from east to west will see the landscape change from snow-dusted mountains to verdant farmers’ fields and river red gum forests, then to the scrub-covered plains of the Mallee region, and finally to the spectacular dunes and lagoons of the Coorong wetlands. The Murray’s peaceful banks ...

The majestic Murray River wiggles its way across nearly 1500 miles of southeastern Australia, sketching the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria as it goes. It’s the country’s longest watercourse, flowing from high up in the Great Dividing Range down to Encounter Bay on the South Australian coast. Those willing to drive its entire length from east to west will see the landscape change from snow-dusted mountains to verdant farmers’ fields and river red gum forests, then to the scrub-covered plains of the Mallee region, and finally to the spectacular dunes and lagoons of the Coorong wetlands. The Murray’s peaceful banks offer numerous secluded campsites where you can drop a fishing line or throw yourself into the cool water on a hot day. There are some particularly good sites in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, which is speckled with sandy beaches. For a different kind of refreshment, stop off at Rutherglen to sample the fine produce of the several dozen local wineries. If you’re near the source of the Murray in winter, you can also go skiing and snowboarding at Perisher or Thredbo in the aptly named Snowy Mountains.

About the Expert

Paul Smitz has coauthored a dozen guidebooks for Lonely Planet on places such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysian Borneo, Brunei, various Pacific Islands, Prague, and Brussels.