Welcome to our Alpine High Country to the Murray Delta Tour. Our tour begins in Canberra with a stunning drive through the Australian Alps to Albury on the Victoria-New South Wales Border. Then we follow the river all the way to Goolwa in South Australia. Along the way we visit historic river towns such as Echuca and Swan Hill, see a number of major river lakes and be entertained and informed by local characters who live by – and are part of – the history of the Murray. The best way to start the High Country is via Canberra. We board our flights and are met on arrival by our touring coach. Our journey today takes us through to Cooma. Originally settled in 1823 it became the headquarters for the building of the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme which was the biggest engineering project ever undertaken in the world at the time. In the main street we see the Mosaic Time Walk in Centennial Park depicting the life of the Monaro from its origins through to the present. A statue of Banjo Paterson’s immortal mountain man, “The Man from Snowy River” is also in the park. We stop at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre – a state-of-the-art visitor facility that showcases the amazing story of the Snowy Mountains Scheme from the early construction days to the role the scheme plays today in the development of Australia. The centre houses a comprehensive exhibition hall that includes a photographic collection, models, exhibits and interactive displays about this remarkable project. We continue to Jindabyne, set on the picturesque lake where you might like to enjoy the beautiful surroundings before our welcome dinner.

Lake Jindabyne Hotel Motel | 02 6456 2203
Lunch at own cost | Dinner at motel

The Murray River starts out as a small stream near Mt Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in Australia. This morning, we drive the Great Alpine Road to Thredbo and then Tom Groggin where the river begins. We stop at Murray No 1 Power Station to giving an insight into the amazing feat that is the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme. From here we travel onto Corryong where we visit the Man from Snowy River Museum, which links Banjo Paterson’s ballad of the same name to the Upper Murray and Jack Riley. The Man from Snowy River Museum sheds some interesting insights into the life of the pioneers and their ingenuity, and it has an extraordinary exhibition of old skiing equipment. From here we travel through Tallangatta and along the shores of the vast Lake Hume. Nestled amongst the spectacular panorama of undulating hills Lake Hume is six times larger than Sydney Harbour. We finish our day in Albury Wodonga, twin towns united by the Murray River that winds its way between the two cities.

Quality Resort Siesta, Albury | 02 6025 4555
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Packed lunch included

This morning, we are heading into the Mitta Valley – home to Australia’s largest man-made dam and the highest mountain in Victoria. We will be joined by a local identity who will take us to the Dartmouth Dam. The dam boasts the highest rock filled wall in the southern hemisphere and when its full, holds seven time more water than Sydney Harbour! it will be a fun tour with plenty of jokes and folklore stories along the way. We also make a stop at the Goulburn Valley Murray Water Lake Dartmouth Information Centre with models of the lake and a short video on the construction process. Lunch will be at the Dartmouth Tavern in a delightful setting on the verandah overlooking exquisite alpine scenery. We are sure to meet resident king parrots, rosellas, galahs and cockatoos. It will be a fabulous day full of great alpine scenery and genuine country hospitality.

Quality Resort Siesta, Albury | 02 6025 4555
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Dartmouth Tavern

We head to the little township of Eurobin to visit Red Stag Deer Farm. It is situated on a 375 acre property, bordering Mt Buffalo National Park and overlooking the beautiful High Country. This exceptional farm gives us the opportunity to feed, touch and learn about the deer with their unique characters and instinctive behaviours. As we arrive at Bright we are surrounded by the beauty of the area, and being autumn, the colours will be mesmerising – burnt orange, deep reds, earth tone browns, haystack yellow and this is just the leaves! We meet up with our local guide for a look at this enchanting town, nestled in the beautiful Ovens Valley and surrounded by the towering Australian Alps. Bright has managed to retain its character and charm, thanks partly to its old-fashioned guesthouses and historical buildings. We finish our day with a visit to Nightingale Bros Apples. The Nightingale family has been growing apples in the scenic Wandiligong Valley since 1954. You may want to stock up with some fresh local produce before we make our way back to Albury.

Quality Resort Siesta, Albury | 02 6025 4555
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Alpine Hotel Bright

Our destination today is Echuca, but first, we stop at Yarrawonga situated on Lake Mulwala. Here we join Paradise Queen for a morning tea cruise. The lake was developed in 1939 by the completion of the Yarrawonga Weir, which was part of the massive Lake Hume project to harness the waters of the Murray for irrigation purposes. It is one of the Murray River’s most beautiful stretches with features of the area including ghostly river red gums and dozens of sandy beaches. Back on dry land, we continue through to Strathmerton for a visit to Cactus Country. Following lunch in the café, our hosts will give us a talk on the garden followed by a chance to wander. We’ll be amazed at the number of cacti we’ll see from all over the world! Our afternoons drive takes us to Echuca, home to the historic Port of Echuca and Wharf which is recognised as one of Australia’s finest heritage icons.

Mercure Port of Echuca | 03 5482 5666
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Cactus Country

This morning, we are introduced to the story of Echuca with a local guide who will point out the areas of interest along the port and share tales of the colourful characters that crewed the old river boats. At the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, walk the path of the town’s river pioneering spirit with true tales, and learn how the bustling river trade changed the face of the town. Late morning we board the PS Pevensey for a cruise along the majestic Murray River. Tracing the course of the Murray River, we visit the historic treasure of the Catalina Flying Boat Museum, nestled on the banks of Lake Boga. These tranquil waters once played a pivotal role in the allied defence of the South Pacific during World War II, as it provided the ideal setting for these magnificent flying boats to alight. From here we continue to Swan Hill. Following dinner, we head to Pioneer Settlement for the Heartbeat of the Murray sound and laser show. This wonderful show is the first of its kind and utilizes water, light, laser, sound and special effects to tell the fascinating story of the Murray River – from 30 million years ago to today.

Swan Hill Resort | 03 5032 2726
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Henrys Bridge Hotel Echuca

We head back to the Pioneer Settlement Museum, Australia’s first outdoor museum. The Settlement was founded to portray the development of inland Australia between 1830 and 1930. Located on the Little Murray River, it contains over 50 historic buildings, many of which carry on the business of 90 years ago. We’ll wander through living history from saddlers and blacksmiths at work to stagecoaches and steam engines as well as enjoy a cruise aboard the Paddleboat Pyap. After time to purchase lunch, we follow the Murray Valley Highway to Mildura for our overnight stop.

Mildura Inlander Resort | 03 5023 3823
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at own cost

Our first stop is to the Mildura Wharf where we board our morning cruise on the PS Rothbury. Built in 1891, it is one of the last “working” paddlesteamers on the Murray. At that time, she was well known as the fastest tow boat on the river. Late morning we cross the border into South Australia and arrive in what’s known as the Riverland region. Lunch will be awaiting us at Renmark. The Riverland is famous for its produce and along with citrus, it also one of the largest produces of winegrapes. Our final visit for the day is to Angove Winery. Established in 1910 at Renmark, Angove is one of the region’s oldest wineries and is home to the St Agnes Distillery and Barrel Halls. Here we are taken on a brief tour and have a tasting of the award-winning times. We conclude our day and drive through to Barmera – our base for the next three nights.

Comfort Inn & Suites Riverland, Barmera | 08 8588 2888
Breakfast at motel | Lunch at Renmark Club | Dinner at Barmera Club

We make our way to Kingston on Murray where we visit Banrock Station. Of the property’s 1650 hectares, only 250 hectares are devoted to grapes – varieties such as Semillon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The remaining land, including 12.5 kilometres of river frontage adjacent to the Banrock Lagoon and wetlands, is being returned to its native state. Here we enjoy a delicious morning tea and of course, wine tastings. Our drive from Banrock takes us over the Napper Bridge which crosses the Chambers Creek (the link from the Murray River to Lake Bonney) and onto the historic Overland Corner Hotel – a popular rest stop last century for overland drovers. Built in 1856 out of limestone, the hotel is one of the oldest standing structures in the state, with a history as rich as the atmosphere. We enjoy lunch here before the drive back to Barmera.

Comfort Inn & Suites Riverland, Barmera | 08 8588 2888
Breakfast at motel | Lunch at Overland Corner Hotel | Dinner at Barmera Club

Loxton was first settled by people of (predominantly) German origin, who were escaping religious persecution. This proud German heritage is still evident today and much of the town’s 0fascinating history is on display at the Loxton Historical Village. From here we head to Berri for some free time for lunch before our afternoon visit to Bella Lavender Estate. We have arranged afternoon tea with time to take a walk in the garden and check out their range of products.

Comfort Inn & Suites Riverland, Barmera | 08 8588 2888
Breakfast at motel | Lunch at own cost | Dinner at Barmera Club

We have an early start as we make our way through Waikerie and Blanchetown where the first of a series of seven locks on the Murray River are located. Further downstream is Mannum known as the birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication. We continue to Goolwa where the Murray River finally enters the Southern Ocean. On arrival we board the “Spirit of the Coorong” for a cruise to the Mouth of the Murray River. The cruise takes us through the Goolwa Barrage, one of 5 constructed to separate the sea water from the fresh water of the river. from here the river mouth and the entrance to the Coorong are 4km further on and depending on the tide, can be freely accessed. We continue to Victor Harbor where we stop for lunch before checking into our motel at Lady Bay.

Lady Bay Hotel, Normanville | 08 8558 0600
Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Anchorage Hotel

We travelled nearly the entire length of the Murray River and unfortunately our tour has come to an end. After breakfast and some free time, we travel to Adelaide for our flight home.

Breakfast at motel | Lunch at own cost