20ten Murray

The Murray River is the longest river in Australia stretching 2,375km (1,476mi) from the Australian Alps to Lake Alexandrina and the Murray Mouth in Goolwa, South Australia. It forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria.

The river currently attracts a lot of political and environmental attention as it is considered to be dieing. The reliance on the river for domestic and industrial water use as well as commercial irrigation has dramatically reduced the water flow. This has increased the salinity of the lower lakes. Dredging is also required to keep the Murray Mouth open.

Enjoy it while you can.

Web
www.rivermurray.com.au

1. WATER SKIING
Visitors to the river wanting to water ski will find it easier to make friends with someone who owns all of the equipment than hiring it. The ski season is unofficially from September to April, traditionally ending on the Easter long weekend. Head to Albury, NSW for the Australian Junior Masters 16-17 January, or Bridgewater VIC for the Australian Masters 30-31 January.

2. CRUISES
There are numerous operators providing river cruises of various length, style and budget. The cruises start from a number of locations along the length of the river, Coorong, Murray Bridge, Mannum, Waikerie, Kingston-On-Murray and Renmark in South Australia, Mildura, Echuca, Barmah and Yarrawonga in Victoria and Albury in New South Wales. Step back in time a cruise on a paddle steamer, boats once used to haul timber, machinery and supplies between towns.

3. KAYAK/CANOE
A great opportunity to explore the waterways and wildlife of the river at your own pace whether it be for an hour, day or week. Finding a hire place along the river is relatively easy with hire companies in most towns. Guided tours are also available.

Kayaking/Canoeing the river does require some preparation; the advantage of joining a guided tour is that much of this preparation will be done for you. Consideration must be given to food and water provision, sun protection, personal safety (in and out of the water). Make sure to think about waterproofing anything that will not enjoy getting splashed or capsized as much as you.

4. FISHING
Makes sense, river equals fish, fish means fishing. There are numerous species of fish to be found in the river and there I not space to list them all here. Here are but a few.

Murray Cod: Australia’s largest fresh water fish growing to 1.8m and 113kg. It is a bottom dweller that generally feeds in the evening. Best caught from a boat in deeper water

Callop: also a bottom feeder, unlike the cod, the callop is a strong fighter can be caught from the banks. Be careful handling the callop do to the razor sharp cover to the gills

Catfish: a protected species and must therefore be returned to the water, a bottom feeder that prefers slower moving water. The catfish has poisonous bony spikes along its dorsal and pectoral fins.

Carp: considered a delicacy in some countries, in Australia it is considered a pest. If you catch one of these (and you are certain to do so – more than any other species) it must not be returned to the water.

5. BUNYIP
The Bunyip is a creature from Aboriginal Dreaming, or is it. Although noone has claimed to see the Bunyip for decades it is Australia’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster. Descriptions of the beast include being like an enormous starfish and being dog-like with a horse-tail, tusks, horn and flippers. It is believed to posses supernatural powers.

Murray Bridge, South Australia has a mechanical Bunyip located in Sturt Reserve. For $2 the beast comes to life rising out of its watery home. Thankfully Murray Bridge has so much more to offer as you would not go there just for this attraction. It does however give parents the opportunity to tell children their version of the Bunyip myths.

6. MONASH ADVENTURE PARK
Located in Monash South Australia (12km out of Berri) this playground first opened in 1921. It has always been a family park though the rides were once more suited to teenagers and young adults with flying foxes, roller coasters and large spinning cages. Changes in public liability insurance lead to changes in the park. It is now more geared to younger children; slides, lawned areas, leaning towers, slides and a maze. Picnic and BBQ facilities are also available.

7. HOUSEBOAT
The list of houseboat companies is endless as is the price range. Houseboats can cost as little as $30 per person per night, but can cost as much as you can afford. Be warned you get what you pay for. Some of the boats are as big and opulent as the penthouse suite of a 5 star hotel – and as expensive. Houseboats can be a great holiday to share with family or friends. Visitors will have to pilot their own houseboat, not experience necessary. Pilots will have to have a valid drivers licence, a minimum age also often applies. All the necessary tuition will be provided at the time of hiring. All catering supplies are BYO.

Mannum hosts a houseboat open day on the first weekend of May for people who want to check out the options prior to hiring. Winter is considered off-peak and therefore cheaper for rent. Although the range of outdoor and water activities might be limited the river will also be much quieter, camp fires might be allowed and the river should be higher and faster flowing.

8. NATIONAL PARKS
There are a number of national parks along the length of the river either directly on its banks or a short distance in land. The diversity of the parks reflects the changing country side through which the river winds. Lush and green at its start in the Snowy Mountains to scrub/barren throughout the Mallee.

Murray Sunset Park is Victoria’s second largest national park and contains four designated wilderness areas; wetlands, native pine woodlands, mallee dunes and saltbush flats. Camping is welcome in designated camping areas.

In all camping areas be aware of conditions, which may change daily, fire bans if in place will be strictly enforced this includes use of certain types of BBQs. Take all waste with you and ensure you bring enough fresh water as not all camping areas have drinkable water. Protect the environment, stick to paths don’t damage living flora and fauna.

9. COORONG
The Coorong is located near the Murray Mouth in South Australia. It is accessible from the Princess Highway. There are numerous marked walking trails many of which are looped bringing walkers back to their start point. There is also a 2 day, 27km one way walk, so consider pick up at the end. The 100km lagoon is home for countless fish species and numerous water sports. Four-wheel driving is also very popular along the Coorong as is bird watching. The beach is closed in certain areas throughout the year to protect the breeding season of certain bird species. Camping is allowed on the beach all year round between the high and low water mark – consider the tides so that your tent does not become a boat while you sleep.

The 1976 movie adaptation of Collin Thiele’s Storm boy was filmed along the Coorong.

10. ALTERNATIVE WINE SHOW
This a chance to taste over 600 varieties of the best boutique wines from Australia and New Zealand. The festival includes a number of different ticketed events including the dinner, wine tasting, education lectures and of course the awards ceremony, with prices ranging from $10 to $150 per head.

Web
www.aavws.com
Dates
3 – 6 November
Location
Mildura, VIC