Things to do in The Murray River
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Aus-Air
Take to the air with Aus-Air, which offers all sorts of fun trips over the rivers. Air Nostalgia flies you to Echuca from Melbourne in a 1940s DC3, takes you for a cruise on an old paddle steamer, then flies you back to Melbourne.
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Left Bank
Start with a Bloody Mary oyster shooter before tucking into the crispy-skin duck with Asian greens and Madeira wine fumet, or the degustation menu. Outstanding food and service, and worth the splurge.
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National Holden Museum
One for the rev-heads, this museum is devoted to Australia’s four-wheeled icon. There’s over 40 vehicles, from FJ to Monaro, as well as racing footage and photos.
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Pioneer Settlement
Swan Hill’s major attraction, the Pioneer Settlement is an enjoyable re-creation of a paddle-steamer riverside port town. The dusty old-time streets feature shops, an old school and church, vintage car rides, Aboriginal keeping place and the fascinating Kaiser Stereoscope. PS Gem, one of the largest river boats to have served on the Murray, was being renovated at the time of research.
The paddle steamer PS Pyap makes one hour cruises along the Murray. Every night at dusk a 45-minute sound-and-light show brings the historic old town to life.
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Historic Port
The most wonderful thing about Echuca is its Historic Port. Attractions are spread along the waterfront, and you buy a passport at the entrance that admits you to the three main sections: Echuca Wharf, the Star Hotel and the Bridge Hotel. Everything is original – you’re exploring living history as you walk along the pedestrian-only Murray Esplanade. Complimentary (and very entertaining) guided tours with Buster and Rocky the cocky set out from the gift shop.
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Mildura Arts Centre & Rio Vista
The excellent Mildura Arts Centre & Rio Vista complex combines an art gallery, theatre and historical museum at Rio Vista, a former home of pioneer William B Chaffey. This grand homestead has been beautifully preserved. The interior is set up as a series of displays depicting 19th-century life, with period furnishings, costumes, photos and an interesting collection of memorabilia. The adjacent modern gallery features changing exhibitions.
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PS Emmylou
As you enter the pedestrian-only Murray Esplanade, you can buy tickets for a cruise or to explore the historic buildings along the Esplanade. A paddle-steamer cruise along the Murray is almost obligatory, and at least four steamers offer cruises; head down to the river and check out the sailing times. PS Emmylou is a fully restored paddle steamer driven by an original engine. Overnight cruises are also available.
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Old Psyche Bend Pump Station
The Old Psyche Bend Pump Station is where Chaffey set up his system to supply irrigation and drainage over 115 years ago. The system is still used, except the pumps are electric now and placed a bit further up the river. You can walk around the old centrifugal pumps and Chaffey’s triple-expansion steam-engine pump. The old pumps run on special occasions; ask at the visitors centre.
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Kingfisher Cruises
Magnificent Barmah Lakes offers something totally different. Head out to the visitors area where Kingfisher Cruises glides you along in a flat-bottom boat through Australia’s largest river red-gum forest and Barmah’s World Heritage–listed wetlands. Your captain points out bird and mammal species along the way. Ring for departure times and bookings.
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Historic Port of Echuca
Echuca's star attraction is the old port area, where paddle steamers dock and you really feel transported back to the heyday of the river. It's not a theme park – everything here is original.
In the wharf's cargo shed, dioramas depict life on the river boats and restored historic paddle steamers are moored alongside the wharf. Across the road at the Star Hotel (1867) you can escape through the underground tunnel that helped drinkers avoid the police when the pub was a 'sly grog shop'.
At the Bridge Hotel, built by Harry Hopwood in 1859, your ticket admits you to a historic upstairs recreation of a 19th-century home. Downstairs the Bridge is a pub and restaurant.
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Oscar W's Wharfside
The glorious location in the old port area with a terrace overlooking the Murray is unbeatable, but Oscar's really delivers with its food and service.
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Bonegilla Migrant Experience
For 24 years from the end of WWII, Bonegilla, 10km east of Wodonga, was Australia’s first migrant reception centre, providing accommodation and training for some 320,000 migrants. At the Bonegilla Migrant Experience you can visit some of the preserved buildings and see photos and historical references.
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Paddle Steamer Cruises
A paddle steamer cruise here is almost obligatory. Buy tickets from the port entrance or along the Esplanade, and ask for the brochure on the boats’ histories. Check out the timetable for lunch and dinner, twilight and sunset cruises. At least six paddle steamers offer cruises.
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Mildura Brewery brewery
Set in the former Astor cinema, this is Mildura's trendiest drinking hole. Shiny stainless-steel vats, pipes and brewing equipment make a great backdrop to the stylish art-deco lounge, and the beers brewed here – honey wheat beer and Mallee Bull among them – are superb. Good food too.
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Langtree Hall Museum
Dating from 1889, the Langtree Hall Museum was the region's first public hall and is an important link in Mildura's Heritage. A hodge-podge of memorabilia is on display here including an impressive collection of dolls, an assortment of toys, old christening gowns and musical instruments.
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Old Mildura Homestead
Along the river near Rio Vista, this cottage was the first home of William B Chaffey. The heritage park here contains a few other historic log buildings and has picnic and barbecue facilities.
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Java Spice
Dining under open-side thatched and teak wood huts in a tropical garden, you'll think you've been transported to Southeast Asia. The authentic cuisine is predominantly Thai, with some Malaysian and Indonesian influences mixed in.
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Star Wine Bar & Café
Part of the Star Hotel, it offers snacks and light meals, and dinner at weekends. The lunchtime gourmet burgers are tempting. The moody bar has some interesting art works, with a patio at the back, and there’s a cafe at the front (High St) serving sandwiches and gourmet pies.
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Tuileries Restaurant
Lots of glass around a fountain, and fine dining in an attractive restaurant. On the other side of the fountain, the café has equally exciting lunches ($10 to $16) and top-quality breakfasts. Around the vineyard here, luxury B&B units cost from $175 for two.
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House at Mount Prior
On a hill above the Mt Prior winery, this homestead even has a tower. Have drinks at dusk on the veranda then move into the elegant dining room for a delicious three-course set meal ($55). Stay the night in a stunning room with soaring ceilings from $110 per double.
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Wicked Virgin
Call into the Wicked Virgin to taste their delicious fresh olives and oils and enjoy a light lunch (soups and platters). It’s at Calico Town, a picturesque vineyard producing an exclusive range of wines including an award-winning shiraz.
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Wild Side Outdoors
Wild Side is an ecofriendly outfit offering a range of activities including a sunset kayaking tour at Kings Billabong (adult/child $30/10), and canoe/kayak/mountain-bike hire ($30/20/20 per hour).
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Billabong Ranch
Head out to the Billabong Ranch for a fun day. There’s minigolf, pedal boats, an animal nursery, tenpin bowling, a playground, a café, bar and pony rides, amongst other things like off-road buggies ($30 per 15 minutes).
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Olson Pheasant Farm
For one fabulous jaunt, get a map and drive out to Olson Pheasant Farm, where game birds are reared, native birds are on display and peacocks wander around looking gorgeous. Take a picnic or ring ahead if you’d like lunch.
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