Murray River Adventures in Victoria’s Sunset Country
A bend in the river; a spanner in the works of this top five!
The Murray River and the Mallee and Sunset Country associated with it were awfully unlucky not to be included on this list. The region only really missed out because of its limited diversity in comparison with other places. Its lack of elevation basically rules it out for climbers and makes it less ideal for MTB. However, some riverside hiking and cross-country cycling opportunities do exist here and, most importantly, the region is arguably the best of all for water-borne adventures for those set on an SUP or in a kayak.
On top of this, it is perhaps the most distinctively Australian of the lot. This is one region you would really struggle to find overseas. On a floating vessel, there is something truly special about making your way down this large brown river, around its snaking bends, and past its crumbling creek banks and dense gum forests; all the while soaking up its colourful reflections, billowing morning fog, and screeching and squawking birdlife. We set out in a canoe recently and explored around the Echuca area — one of the more built-up areas, whereas other stretches are thoroughly remote — and that short foray has planted a seed in our minds for a much longer journey.
