It’s very exciting that the Murray River, Australia’s longest navigable river, has been named as one of the 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025.

There’s no argument from me, having explored it from land and water through the three states that it travels through. Lucky for me, I also live at the end of this beautiful waterway, at Goolwa in South Australia.

Here at the end of the river, it winds its way out to the Southern Ocean and I may be slightly biased, but the South Australian section of the river, to me is the prettiest part of the river system.

For the most part, the Murray River is wide in South Australia and easily navigable by boat. It’s a popular recreation source in spring and summer with plenty of people enjoying long stretches of the river for skiing and wakeboarding. Despite that, it’s also one of the most relaxing ways to have a holiday, when you jump on a houseboat for a few days and glide along, soaking up the serenity at a slow pace.

The birdlife is sublime all along the river and pulling up to a riverbank for an overnight stay, means you can appreciate a Murray River sunset and birds settling in for the evening.

A caravan or camping holiday along the Murray is always a much anticipated getaway too. There are plenty of caravan parks and off grid stays, right on the water to settle yourself into for a while and kick back on river time. Waking up to a silent, mist covered river, with massive and ancient river red gums reflected in the still water is just magical.

The fishing can be sketchy, as in there’s more likelihood that you’ll catch pesky carp then good eating fish but it’s still a peaceful way to while away a few hours. Just don’t return them to the river – it’s illegal!

The towns along the river in South Australia have heaps of things to discover so you can be as busy or chilled as you decide. My top picks would be Renmark, Berri, and Mannum to visit along the way.

Don’t miss the incredible beauty of the river at the end of its journey, at Goolwa. The best way to appreciate this part of the river, (if you don’t have your own boat) is to jump on a Spirit of the Coorong cruise.

These river boats will take you in comfort from the Goolwa wharf, through the last of the locks and to the very mouth of the river where it flows out to sea. The cruise then continues on, into the Coorong National Park, a wetland of international importance which supports a huge variety of birdlife as well as significant and endangered flora and fauna.

The spectacular beauty of the Coorong is something that has to be seen by boat to appreciate, with changing scenery, including massive pristine white sand dunes where emus roam.

Make sure to put the Murray River (from New South Wales, Victoria or South Australia) on your ‘must visit list’ for 2025, and for more inspiration, take a look at some of my previous posts below.

Top 5 Murray River Caravan & Camping Stays in SA

Visit the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong – South Australia in 2022

Morgan on the Murray River

Plush’s Bend Off Grid Camping On The Murray River

Murray River – Goolwa Barrage

Mannum on the Murray River

A Berri nice time in the Riverland

Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park

Wentworth where Australia’s Biggest Rivers Meet

Mildura – Tropical North Victoria

Houseboat Holidays on the Murray River

Enjoy

Glenys