• Home
• About the Murraylands
• Maps & Towns
• Accommodation
• Events
• Cruising the Murray
• Must See Must Do
• History & Heritage
• Family Fun
• Taste the Murraylands
• Wildlife & Environment
• Attractions
• Visitor Information
• Search

Adventure, Sport & Recreation

MUST SEE, MUST DO

Getting on the river is a priority. Breeze Hire at Mannum has kayaks and canoes to get you off and experiencing the water in no time! 

Paddling the Murray is one of Australia's true 'must dos'. Popular travel magazine, Australian Traveller, named paddling the Murray River as one of its '100 Things to Do Before You Die'. See what they're talking about and experience the hidden lagoons and backwaters by hiring a canoe.
Paddling brings you up close and personal with the river and its wildlife and offers a different perspective of Australia's largest waterway. Pick up or download a copy of the Mannum Canoe Trail that will take you on a canoeing adventure around Mannum.

Wakeboard SA and WaterSki SA hold various events on the water from October to March. contact one of the local Visitor Information Centres to find out where and when they are being held.

Locals love their sport. The region is home to an archery park, shooting complex, equestrian park, model airfield, indoor bowling alley, paintball fields, beach volleyball courts, gyms, mini golf and a swimming centre. All of the major towns have excellent sporting facilities, including golf courses, bowling greens and tennis courts that are open to the public.

Motor sport lovers are well served in the Murraylands. Murray Bridge and Mannum have motocross tracks and the Murray Bridge Speedway has a regular programme of events, including the Australian Sprintcar Championships.

Thoroughbred horseracing is on offer at the Murray Bridge Race Course, which holds 14 annual race meetings, including an Australia Day event.

Golf

Keen golfers know that there are excellent courses along the length of the Murray, and many make the river a regular destination.

Mannum Golf Club has a well-earned reputation as a challenging course that rewards accuracy. The nine excellent greens and fairways have 18 strategically placed tee blocks that give the impression of a full 18 holes.

Murray Bridge Golf Club's present 18-hole course was opened in 1946 and now stands as one of the best country courses in South Australia. The course is in the heart of Murray Bridge, in picturesque surroundings of gently undulating fairways fringed with established trees and excellent greens.

There are also courses at Lameroo, Karoonda, Pinnaroo, Swan Reach and Tailem Bend.

Check with each course for information about fees, opening hours and bookings.

Arts & Crafts

The Murraylands has a busy and active community of artists and craft makers.

Look for shops in most towns including the Leadlight Shop (Mannum), Dollys Golden Raintree Craft and Heritage (try their indulgent Devonshire teas), The Wool Shed Gallery (Mannum) and the Murraylands Arts & Crafts Collective behind the Town Hall in Murray Bridge.

The Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, one of the state's most impressive regional arts spaces, displays the talents of local artists and craftspeople, and hosts a range of touring exhibitions throughout the year.

Trails

The uniquely Australian landscape of the Mallee, combined with picturesque river surroundings, makes scenic drives and walks a pleasure in the Murraylands.

South Australia's Murray River Trail follows the bends and curves of the river, and offers stopping points at historic attractions, towns and other points of interest within the Murraylands region.

Four-wheel drive enthusiasts will enjoy the various trails in Ngarkat Conservation Park and Karte Conservation Park.

Walkers will enjoy the Rail and River Walk in Murray Bridge, the Callington Heritage Trail (which can also be driven), the Sedan Heritage Trail and the scenic walks at Mannum Falls. If your in the town of Mannum then you have a few choices all outlined in the Mannum Historic Walks brochure.

In the Mallee, Ngarkat Conservation Park's Tyms Lookout Hike has stunning views from the summit, and there's a good network of walking trails in Scorpion Springs Conservation Park.

Long distance walkers should consider the 79-kilometre Federation Trail, which leads from Murray Bridge to Tungkillo, passing old rail yards, river wetlands, rugged gorges and vast tracts of farming land, and is one of the most scenic walks in the state.

Ask for copies of trail brochures at Visitor Information Centres.

Fishing

Dropping a line in the Murray as the sun disappears behind the red ochre cliffs would have to be one of life's most relaxing activities. Whether you're a keen angler or an enthusiastic beginner, the best way to discover where the fish are biting is to ask a local. Find out about the local hotspots when you buy your bait and tackle, which are available throughout the region.

The most prized Murray River catch is the Murray cod, which is the largest freshwater fish in the river. Cod can grow to more than 1.8 metres long and weigh over 100 kilograms, and are usually found in deep water near fallen logs. They are partial to natural baits like yabbies, baitfish or witchetty grubs; however they're renowned for being hard to catch and stories of 'the one that got away' are common. An easier catch - and one that's great eating - is the callop (yellow belly). Yabbies are plentiful during the warmer months and when river levels are falling.

Fishing Guidelines

To view the most upto date fishing regulations for South Australia please click here. It is good to note that you do not need a license for recreational fishing in South Australian waters.

Shopping

For browsing and buying, head for Mannum or Murray Bridge where you'll find shops aplenty. The smaller towns feature interesting curio, bric-a-brac and antique stores.

If you're looking for something to help you enjoy the great outdoors, try Camping World in Murray Bridge.

For homeware and giftware, be inspired at Uccello in Murray Bridge and relax over a coffee. Garden lovers shouldn't miss Serenity Nursery at Murray Bridge.

If your after a hidden treasure try Squatters Antiques in Murray Bridge offering a great range of antiques and furniture.

Murray Bridge, one of the state's main regional centres, has a Coles supermarket and Target department store, and Woolworths supermarket is open until 10pm daily. Mannum's Foodland supermarket is open daily until 8pm.

Bird watching

Avid 'twitchers' and holiday birdwatchers appreciate that the diverse landscape of the region makes for good birdwatching.  The river environments are home to waders and waterbirds, and the drier Mallee has its own unique species such as Malleefowl. There are about 320 species of birdlife in the region, and they are joined by tens of thousands of migratory wader birds and waterfowl. Each spring, these birds fly tens of thousands of kilometres from Siberia, North Asia and the Arctic Circle to South Australia's waterways.

The national and conservation parks are always good places to start, and Ngarkat Conservation Park is one of the best places to look for the endangered malleefowl.
The river's waters are, of course, the best locations for waterfowl and waders.  There's a large population of native species including pelicans, cormorants, egrets, herons and grebes. 

The Murraylands has numerous wetlands areas that are perfect for birdwatching.  Swanport Wetlands has several hides and extensive boardwalks, Rocky Gully Wetland is just out of Murray Bridge, and the Hermann L Gass Bird Sanctuary is almost in the heart of Mannum, next to the Mannum Caravan Park.

Home of the Malleefowl

Malleefowl, as the name suggests, inhabit the Mallee areas of Australia and are an endangered species. Large patches of sunburnt mallee in South Australian parks provide important habitat for these unique birds.

Unlike most birds, malleefowl do not spend several weeks at a time sitting on eggs, instead burying their eggs in sand and compost mounds that produce enough heat to incubate the eggs. They dedicate up to 11 months of the year caring for these nests, yet take no interest in their young once they have hatched.

The Department for Environment and Heritage, in conjunction with community groups, monitor malleefowl numbers and nest activity each year, in parks and on private land.

TO DO LIST

Monarto Zoological Park

Travel the world of wildlife at Monarto Zoological Park, where giraffes, lions, rhinoceros, zebra and cheetahs roam freely in an outstanding setting. The 1000ha open-range sanctuary is famous for its international breeding programs for rare and endangered species, and you can see them all on a safari bus or walking tour.

Ngarkat group of Conservation Parks

Lose yourself and find rare birds, flora and fauna on a bushwalking journey through the Ngarkat group of Conservation Parks. These four adjoining Mallee parks cover a combined area of 270,000 hectares and are home to a spectacular array of animals including echidnas, pygmy possums and the endangered malleefowl.

Big Bend by Night Nocturnal Tours

Watch the sunset light up the magnificent cliffs on the Murray River at Nildottie as you enjoy a three-course al fresco meal on a Big Bend by Night Nocturnal Tour. Then climb aboard a comfy wagon to see kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats and other native animals as they go about their nightly business.

Mannum Dock Museum

Explore Australia's paddle-boat history at the Mannum Dock Museum, home to the lovingly-restored PS Marion, which first entered the water in 1897. This intriguing museum can be found on the banks of the Murray River in Mannum- the birthplace of paddle-steamers on Australia's greatest waterway and still a bustling riverside town.

Riverfront Reserves

Roll out the picnic blanket and sprawl with the family at the delightful Sturt Reserve on the banks of the Murray at Murray Bridge or Mary Ann Reserve at Mannum. They are the perfect places to soak up the South Australian sun and amble away
the day or enjoy playgrounds and short river cruises.

Take to the water

Of course, if you're in the Murraylands, you should find out what being on the Murray is all about. You can cruise the river in vessels large and small: there are luxury and nature cruises on grand boats, houseboats to make your own for a few days or a few weeks, or take to the backwaters in a canoe or kayak.

Visit the Bunyip

See if you can rouse the Bunyip from his den at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. He's big, he's loud, and you won't find anything like him anywhere else.