One of South Australia’s sunniest regions, the Riverland is known for its clear blue skies, wildlife (including spectacular bird life), water sports and relaxed pace of life. The Murray River weaves past some of Australia’s most impressive river scenery: cinematic backdrops of limestone cliffs, graceful river red gums and Mallee country, as well as willow-edged parks and lush vineyards, orchards and citrus groves. The Riverland is a two-hour drive from Adelaide, and perfectly located for a few days of rest and relaxation on the drive between South Australia and the eastern states. Cruise among great little riverside towns in your own floating home. Stop for a round of golf at some of the best courses in South Australia; or explore charming pioneer villages and internationally renowned bird sanctuaries before getting down to the serious business of food and wine. There's a good reason why nearly half of South Australia's wine grapes (and 90 per cent of our oranges, stone fruits and nuts) are grown in the Riverland -there’s ample water and plenty of sunshine. Known as the engine room of Australia's wine industry, the Riverland has a growing reputation for premium and boutique wines. Taste the variety at cellar doors including Hardy’s, Berri Estates (the southern hemisphere's largest winery and distillery), Simeon and Angoves, plus smaller operations such as Burk Salter Wines at Blanchetown and Bonneyview Wines at Barmera. On the food front, you can taste stone fruits, citrus and almonds at roadside produce stalls throughout the region, or look out for great outlet centres like Berri Direct in Berri. Please all your senses at the Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre, near Kingston-on-Murray. The company has rejuvenated the surrounding wetlands to attract birds back into the area, with pelicans, black swans, blue-winged shovelers and rare white-eyed ducks now thriving here. An eight-kilometre boardwalk will lead you right around the wetlands, and afterwards you can take it all in over a wine or two at the cellar door and café. Paddle a canoe into the backwaters of the Murray at the Loch Luna Game Reserve or Katarapko Creek in the Murray River National Park. They're ideal canoeing spots for novice paddlers and families. And at Chowilla Creek, near Renmark, you can paddle into three states (South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales) in one day. Along the Murray River, vegetation and woodlands support a diverse array of birds, from doves and cockatoos to kingfishers, honeyeaters, pelicans and parrots. Birds Australia Gluepot Reserve, in the UNESCO-listed Bookmark Biosphere Reserve, is one of the most important sanctuaries for protected birds in South Australia and is dedicated to preserving local eco-systems. Six threatened species and more than 180 other bird varieties also thrive here. Few regions in Australia can boast five top quality golf courses within 25 minutes of each other. The Riverland’s endless sunshine makes the links not only lush and verdant: they’re great to play all year round. You'll find excellent courses in Waikerie, Barmera, Berri, Loxton and Renmark. Step back in time at the award-winning Loxton Historical Village, with more than 35 fully furnished buildings featuring farm equipment, machinery and household items used by the early settlers. Regular "Village Alive" days allow you to experience life as it was in the early 1900s. Other great historical attractions include Renmark's Olivewood Estate (it was built by the town's founders, the Chaffey brothers, it is now a National Trust museum) and the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum. |
Visitor
Information
Centres
Barmera
Barwell Avenue, Barmera
Telephone +61 8 8588 2289
Berri
Riverview Drive, Berri
Telephone +61 8 8582 5511
Loxton
Bookpurnong Terrace, Loxton
Telephone +61 8 8584 8071
Waikerie
Sturt Highway, Waikerie
Telephone +61 8 8541 2332
Renmark - Paringa
84 Murray Avenue, Renmark
Telephone +61 8 8586 6704 |
