It is certainly one of New South Wales’ most unusual locations, and our checklist of high causes to go to the Murray area can have you reserving your journey very quickly!
While you pull out an inventory of the most effective locations to go to in New South Wales, you possibly can be forgiven for feeling a bit overwhelmed with the place to start out.
From the deep gorges of the Blue Mountains to the turquoise seas round Lord Howe Island, the mining historical past of Damaged Hill to the fashionable journey hotspot of Byron Bay, Australia’s most populous state has one thing for everybody.
Having grown up not removed from Sydney, I have been fortunate sufficient to journey fairly a little bit of New South Wales and the extra I see of it, the extra I fall in love with it.
One area I’ve by no means spent a lot time in is across the Murray Valley.
The Murray area straddles the border of NSW and Victoria, and I will be the primary to confess that I knew little or no about it apart from being dwelling to the Murray River, Australia’s longest river.
I’ve pushed by the realm’s largest metropolis, Albury, many instances through the years, however that is all I’ve seen.
In late 2019 that every one modified and Alesha and I explored the area on a visit alongside the Murray River for slightly below every week.
It did not take lengthy to appreciate that this area was higher than we may have ever anticipated.
Our high causes to go to the Murray area
A visit to the Murray River area is worth it for anybody touring by automobile across the east coast of Australia.
Being just a few hours from Melbourne and a brief distance from the Snowy Mountains, with Albury because the regional centre, entry to the Murray is extraordinarily straightforward.
And with so many implausible issues to see and do right here, it is certain to develop into top-of-the-line locations to journey within the nation as soon as phrase will get out. The Murray River itself is a sight to behold, and all of the native companies and nationwide parks within the space make it much more fascinating.
When you’re on the lookout for inspiration on the place to go in your subsequent journey to New South Wales, here is our checklist of the most effective causes to go to the Murray area!
1) Assist the rising pattern of sustainable small companies
If there’s one factor Aussies love, it is an underdog. And in a world the place giant companies are continually threatening the existence of native entrepreneurs, it is no surprise that increasingly more individuals are selecting to help small companies wherever potential.
While you journey across the Murray area, you may discover that the variety of multinationals is beginning to dwindle, and of their place you may discover loads of implausible native firms filling the void.
From eating places to memento outlets, tour operators to lodging, native homeowners have proudly developed a variety of companies which might be value spending your vacationer greenback on.
What units many of those establishments other than bigger firms is their dedication to sustainability and group, all whereas following their very own desires.
At River Deck Cafe in Albury and Morrisons Vineyard in Moama, the pinnacle cooks select to make use of native substances in nearly all of their recipes, supporting farmers within the space relatively than attempting to chop prices.
Ros from Wealthy Glen Olive Property has turned her household dwelling right into a restaurant and pure magnificence store, welcoming a whole lot of individuals every week to pattern her scrumptious natural delicacies.
Josh from iWaterski has turned his ardour for the water right into a enterprise and now supplies implausible water snowboarding and SUP experiences alongside the Murray River.
There are numerous tales like this throughout the Murray area, and it is the chance to satisfy and help these those who makes touring right here so rewarding.
2) Stroll by beautiful Australian native bush
Australia is greatest identified for its excellent shoreline and huge wilderness, and these are sometimes the 2 playing cards that persuade home and overseas vacationers to go to the nation.
Whereas there is no denying that the seashores and desert are phenomenal, there’s way more to the nation’s pure splendor than the plain highlights.
The Australian bush is one such panorama that continues to impress, and the Murray area is likely one of the greatest examples of this.
Locations like Murray Valley Nationwide Park and Thompson’s Seaside are dwelling to towering eucalyptus bushes and winding rivers, in addition to historic Aboriginal cultural websites. Mungo Nationwide Park is one other stunning place to go to. Mungo Nationwide Park is greatest identified for its archaeological stays, together with the oldest human stays present in Australia.
The pure variety additionally brings a dense inhabitants of wildlife, and going for a stroll by the parks provides the possibility to see kangaroos, echidnas, wombats, koalas and dozens of various species of birds.
3) Style scrumptious regional delicacies
Meals journey has at all times been a motive why folks go to new locations.
And whereas rural Australia might not instantly spring to thoughts while you consider distinctive cuisines, a visit by the Murray area will shortly present you ways a scrumptious culinary scene has developed.
Sustainable and natural farms are more and more on this path, and passionate cooks are benefiting from the wonderful entry to recent produce.
Domestically sourced meals function prominently on the menus of most impartial eating places, with dishes designed across the season, relatively than counting on imports from overseas.
Troy, head chef at Morrisons Vineyard, is a main instance of somebody pushing the boundaries of Murray-inspired delicacies.
Whether or not it is pork stomach coated in caramel or scrumptious chocolate brownies, every dish is rigorously ready utilizing solely the most effective substances obtainable on the time.
One other nice concept for foodies is a visit on the Farm Gate Path. This path contains 21 native farms that supply guests delicacies to strive, reminiscent of beef, cheese, olives, olive oil, recent produce, chocolate and extra. Examine the official Farm Gate Path brochure for extra particulars.
When you may initially come down this highway to discover the beautiful surroundings, the meals is what’s going to shortly develop into one of many predominant causes you retain coming again time and time once more.
4) Style the most effective wine of the Murray area
Margaret River, Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley are the three areas most synonymous with award-winning wines in Australia
The Murray area is not too far behind these well-known names although, and should you love drop of pink or white wine, it will not be lengthy earlier than the Murray wineries begin to develop into your favourite vintages.
Paired completely with the sustainable dishes you may discover in native eating places, Murray Valley wineries are sometimes small in measurement however massive on flavour.
Boutique vineyards should not about mass manufacturing. As a substitute, they are typically unfold primarily across the area, or typically just a little additional afield in different elements of New South Wales or Victoria.
Swan Hill is a well-liked foodie vacation spot within the Victoria Murray River area. If you can also make it to Swan Hill for the Labor Day weekend in March, the Swan Hill Meals and Wine Competition is a tremendous place to get pleasure from all the most effective native wines and meals.
Wine tasting is likely one of the greatest causes to go to the Murray River area, and place to do it if you do not have time for a vineyard tour is to dine on the Selle Bistro in Albury.
Right here, let proprietor Matthew’s huge assortment of native wines dazzle your palate.
If you do not know the place to start out, do your self a favor and let Matthew information you together with his experience.
Please be aware that the majority wineries within the Murray area do style testing and may ship bottles throughout the nation in case you do not have room to hold them.
5) Paddle down the mighty Murray River, Australia’s longest river
With a size of two,508 km, beginning within the Australian Alps close to Mount Kosciuszko and flowing into the ocean in South Australia, the Murray River is the longest river within the nation.
Making its method by the southern a part of the nation and with a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals dwelling close to its waters, it has develop into an integral a part of the lives of many, not just for its ecosystem, but in addition for leisure.
There are a lot of methods to get out and benefit from the Murray River, with the most well-liked actions being fishing, kayaking and water snowboarding.
When you choose your enjoyment of the outside to be just a little extra relaxed, there’s additionally the choice of happening a Murray River cruise on a classic steamer.
Our private favourite Murray River exercise throughout our current go to was paddle boarding with Josh at iWaterski, based mostly in Moama Echuca.
We paddled 5km down the Murray River, passing locals fishing alongside the river’s edge, watching the native birds fly overhead and marveling on the peaceable magnificence round us.
Properly value doing when visiting the Murray area!
6) Keep in distinctive lodging
The Murray area is a novel a part of the state, and that rings true for the lodging choices you could find alongside the way in which.
Whereas there is no scarcity of gorgeous motels and homey mattress and breakfasts, you may additionally uncover a set of locations to remain which might be completely different from what it’s possible you’ll be used to.
Luxurious boats that may be chartered for {couples} or teams of 20 are frequent, permitting you to cruise the river and park wherever you want. When you’re an actual skipper, you’ll be able to even rent a ship and drive your self!
There are a selection of wonderful vacation camps, excellent for households or these with their very own tenting gear.
Or you are able to do one thing utterly completely different and keep in a luxurious yurt at Talo Retreat in Moama.
With quite a lot of Mongolian-inspired yurts surrounded by pure bushland, these are among the greatest locations to remain in your complete Murray area.
7) Find out about our fascinating Aboriginal historical past
With a wealthy historical past stretching again almost 60,000 years, Australia’s indigenous tradition is likely one of the most fascinating on the planet.
The Aboriginal individuals are the oldest civilization on the earth and no journey to the Murray area can be full with out studying extra about them.
In lots of the main cities alongside the Murray River one can find Aboriginal artwork galleries displaying their work, carvings and sculptures.
In nature, you too can go to many sacred Aboriginal websites, such because the Murray Valley Nationwide Park.
If you wish to have a really attention-grabbing expertise, take a stroll alongside the Yindyamarra Sculpture Stroll in Albury.
This 5km path follows the Murray River previous wetlands and bushland, with quite a lot of Aboriginal artworks put in alongside the way in which.
Every bit of artwork has an info panel explaining what it’s and who made it, permitting you to higher perceive the tales behind the artwork.
DISCLAIMER: We visited the Murray area on task with Vacation spot NSW to advertise tourism within the space. All ideas, opinions and drunk bottles of scrumptious Murray wine are, as at all times, our personal.