The Murray River runs through the eastern side of South Australia, before trailing along the New South Wales and Victoria border. Much of the land enriched by the Murray River has become a good fruit and wine growing area. The Riverland area has many small towns that you can visit on river cruises along the Murray River.

To the south of the area is Murray Bridge, which along with a selection of accommodation also offers Dundee’s Wildlife Park and Monarto Zoological Park. You can also take Murray River cruises along the Murray from here. For day river cruises hop aboard the MV Barrangul or the PS Captain Proud... Alternatively join longer river cruises aboard the PS Proud Mary. Just east of Murray Bridge is Tailem Bend, which has an accurate recreation of a pioneer village at Old Tailem Town. You can also take Murray River cruises from here across to Jervois near the beautiful hamlet of Wellington.

Heading north from Murray Bridge you will come across Mannum which is where the first riverboat was made in Australia. The riverboat was also the first paddle steamer to make the first of many river cruises along the Murray. There is also a floating museum where you can find out the history of the area. You should also visit the fabulous Cascade Waterfalls at Reedy Creek (only during the winter), as well as the waterbirds at the Purnong Road Bird Sanctuary. At Morgan there is a large car ferry which takes you across the Murray. There is also an interesting museum

East from Morgan towards Waikerie you look down the Murray River as you cruise beautiful Swan Reach with its magnificent scenery. There is a great lookout from the town where you can see Big Bend and the fabulous Yellow Cliffs. Although there are plenty of pelicans at Swan Reach, birdlife is at its maximum at Waikerie, which aptly matches its name (meaning ‘anything that flies’ in Aboriginal). Waikerie is also a large citrus producing area. East of Waikerie is the pretty town of Berri, which is named after the Aboriginal ‘berri berri’ which means ‘bend in the river’... all river cruises from Berri can get you into the Murray River National Park, at Katarapko Creek, where you can go bushwalking, canoeing as well as camping. You should also visit the Willabalangaloo Reserve which offers some great walking trails, as well as an interesting museum.

You can take Murray River cruises both south and north from Berri. Heading south you get to Loxton which hosts an attractive Historical Village. There is also a winery here as well as the popular activity of canoeing. Heading north from Berri you will get to Renmark where you can join one of the popular Murray River cruises, or visit a Murray River vineyard to taste the wines... You should also go to the Chowilla Regional Reserve where you can camp, canoe, bushwalk and just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Nearby is Barmera situated on the edge of Lake Bonney which offers sandy beaches, swimming and other watersports. There is also a nudist beach at Pelican Point. To learn about the history of the Murray River and feel a touch of heritage visit Napper’s Old Accommodation and the Overland Corner Hotel. There are also a couple of good nature reserves here called Kingston-on-Murray and Moorook.