Murray River Trail

Mullet · Newbie

Murray River Trail

travelyounger · Guru

I have done the most of the Murray river from the start in the snowy mountains to the end at lake Alexandrina in sa you could easy spend two months doing this trip as there are so many great places to camp and great towns in nsw vic and sa to visit best to go in early spring when it starts to warm up cheers

Olive Oil · Senior Member

We've spent many months camped along the Murray at a plethora of locations from the headwaters to the outlet in SA.

Its a lovely experience, though from about Corowa NSW to Mildura & beyond there is a general ''sameness'' about it until you reach the red cliffs in SA.

River Red Gums & a slow moving wide river predominate. Don't camp under the Red Gums (widow makers) because they drop branches.

At this time of the year many ''free camps'' are inaccessible as the black clay soil is sodden & its very easy to get bogged up to the axles .

Up in the headwaters it would have snow at the moment.

If you like suburbia there's plenty to do in towns like Echuca & Swan Hill etc.

Plenty of historic places, wineries, fruit & nut growing places to visit. At this time of the year we love the citrus in the Riverland SA.

You could take a 6 weeks or 6 months to see it, depends on you.

-- Edited by Olive Oil on Thursday 15th of August 2019 05:38:11 AM

Mobi Condo · Guru

I once planned a double sided trip being from home in Adelaide to the end of where we could reach along the Murray by road and van, then back again on the opposite side to that which we went.

The best part was the planning, coz by the time we saw everything we wanted to we would have needed about a year! Wow! and we live just about on it where as you need to travel from a very distant spot.

So instead we now plan trips and try to do a different section on way east and then another on way back home to Adelaide.

We have now seen a fair bit of the wonderful river, but it has taken 3 decades and we realise we will never see all we wished to.

Now we reckon that you plan to visit some of what you consider are major features to fit in with the time you have and if possible/desirable free camp between those features to enjoy the birds, forests, fishing, purely delightful and serene scenery, rubberneck stuff like boat day cruises etc. as best fits your resources.

Sorry but it is too big to explore fully at least the way I wished to in my life time.

I wish you the best of luck and would love to hear what you ended up achieving.

Cheers - Ian

Olive Oil · Senior Member

This is arguably the most pretty section, the upper reaches. Some fantastic camping spots available.

Screenshot_2019-08-15 Park name 26pt Arial - Park-note-Upper-Murray-Parks pdf.png

Mullet · Newbie

Thanks heaps everyone, appreciate it. Certainly sounds like a lot to see and do along the river. Will have to revise our plans to do the trip justice...gunna take longer than what we thought.

Plain Truth · Guru

Hi Mullet,I you like fishing and want to catch a Cod,don't forget the Mozzarella cheese.

Mullet · Newbie

I'll remember that. Yeah always carry some fishing gear but might have to take something heavier than the light gear I carry.

Olive Oil · Senior Member

parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/673990/MurrayRiverGuardian2017-18.pdf

Camping info for the Murray River from its beginning to the SA/VIC border.

-- Edited by Olive Oil on Sunday 18th of August 2019 09:50:59 AM

Craig1 · Guru

Don't forget that Murray Cod are closed season from 1st Sept to 30th November inclusive and that Murray River is NSW waters. Bone up on differences between Murray Cod and Trout Cod. Trout Cod totally protected all year.

HunnyBunny · Senior Member

The Murray River is my "happy place" I have spent the happiest days of my life camped on it's beautiful banks. At the upper end of the River there are many great camping spots & some great trout fishing to be had. My favorite spot, even though it's not on the mighty Murray is along side the Swampy Plains River at Geehi. Back in the days that I camped there, there were no facilities, I believe that may have changed now. The upper Murray is the most scenic, but I love the River between Yarrawonga & Tocumwal. The beautiful sandy beaches along that stretch provide some great camping spots, Cobbrawonga ( half way between Cobram & Yarrawonga has some great spots. There are also some great spots nearer to the lovely town of Tocumwal. The stretch from Renmark to the mouth is quite different, wider & trimmed with willows & high, red cliffs in stretches. I don't think there is such a thing as a bad place to camp along the Magical Murray River. Lets pray that the mismanagement of our water is not going to destroy this wonderful river.

rmoor · Senior Member

I have just retired and one of my planned trips is along the Murray River. There are some great tips and info on this thread, was a good read. Will do a study of the Swampy Plains River and the camping info from Olive Oil looks more than useful. Some months ago I camped at Coco Bend at Echuca while attending an over 60s cricket tournament. Very keen on a length Murray River trip to play a bit of golf along the way at some of the decent courses they have along the Murray. Having lived on the Macquarie River for so long, have caught plenty of cod and will fish the Murray when travelling obviously.
If anyone has any info on suitable camping sites and van parks along the way from Albury to Wentworth or so would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Possum3 · Guru

The true Murray River Trail starts at Collarenabri NSW, at the 5 Mile on the Barwon (not Qld), that is the farthest that the paddle wheelers went. As opposed to the Darling River Run which starts at Walgett and ends at Wentworth

I have travelled it in 5 partial trips since mid 70's - now that I have some spare time it is my intention to do it in one trip next year. (if able).

Plain Truth · Guru

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Plain Truth · Guru

The Murray River starts near Cowombat Flats,you used to be able go across from the Davis high Plain Track to see the the plane crash, till they closed the rd. if you are coming down to see Gheehi, it pays to follow River Rd. in NE Victoria so many free camps and so much to see.

plane crash.JPG

Mariner30 · Senior Member

Don't forget the 'aeroguard' or any good mozzie repellent.
Specially if going in the warmer months,

Or camping beside the river in the State Forests or Parks,

rmoor · Senior Member

Thanks for replies. Guru, enjoy your next jaunt on the Darling etc. Will be going in that direction down the track. Coopers Creek is also a destination. Plain Truth, will be spending some time at Tocumwal, I believe there is a very good RAAF museum there? My late father was first posted there before spending time away with 78 Wing (75 & 77 Squadrons). Milne Bay, Morotai, Borneo etc. I am currently reading a book about Len Waters, the only indigenous fighter pilot in the New Guinea campaign. One wonders what interaction they had in the same theatre's. It wasn't until after my father had passed that we learned he was wounded in action. He never spoke of any of it. My mother is still with us at 96 and was in the WAAF's, she is probably the last living relic to have flown on "G" for George. Mariner - the mozzie spray always does the trip - yes.
Have researched a few camps so far along the Murray but will do some more research when time allows, and try and read a bit more of "The Missing man" (Len Waters).
Just bought a new diesel Isuzu ute to tow the little fishing van, so will be departing for some adventures not too far down the track.
The golf clubs will be getting a fair workout on the Murray venture as well.
Regards all.

rmoor · Senior Member

Sorry, Possum3.
Still a novice on here !!!!

Mariner30 · Senior Member

If you go and you are in Yarrawonga or Cobram have a look for a a copy of the map book that shows nearly all of the access tracks down to the bush camping and fishing spots along the river,

It was ' produced ' by the local scout group as a way of making some money,
Should still be able to find it in the tackle/ camping shops around the area.

Good advice in the post that advises not to adventure down to the river when wet...can be very boggy.

Craig1 · Guru

Check the closed fishing seasons and protected species- trout cod, as well.

Plain Truth · Guru

One of our favorite spots is on the NSW side near Mathoura, follow the Narrows Rd.near Picnic Pt.

Lots of free camps along Narrows rd. keep going to the end.Nice free camp,with drop toilets,free gas BBQ's tables and boat ramp.

Fishing is good too,don't forget the motzeralla cheese.

rmoor · Senior Member

Thanks Plain Truth, that is the type of info I was keen to hear. Will be having a good study of both free camping and van parks etc along the way and stay at a combination of both. I bought a new D Max Isuzu diesel ute last week and currently on Gumtree studying the canopies. Plenty of time up the sleeve so will make sure one gets the one most suitable. The fishing rods and golf clubs will live in the ute canopy and get aired as required. Also plan to do a lot of lake and estuary camping for that relaxing sit by the water with a fishing rod and a good book. Will get on the water with either my fishing kayak or my tinnie but had a real bad experience at Sussex Inlet a few months ago and nearly drowned self caught in that strong current under a pier. So very wary now of running water as age creeps up and strength diminishes. Looking forward to a Murray River exploration and a few fish sizzling on the hot plate.

rmoor · Senior Member

Thanks Craig. Pretty well aware of the fishing rules. One of those that takes back to camp more rubbish than I take also. I have hooked a trout cod while chasing Murray Cod after they released 20,000 trout cod locally. Also a $20,000 fine for taking them, as they released them to bolster their diminishing numbers. They hit really hard and I recognised very quickly what he was and had a devil of a time getting him off a red Boomerang lure. He thrashed and double hooked himself but had the right gear to get him off and back to his home. Had another very bad experience with a very large brown snake in that same location. Love the wilds, but there are some drawbacks!!! Plain Truth - the cheese. Few schools of thought there, like a hook embedded in a boiled egg, the local theory is that the cheese and eggs attract shrimp etc and they in turn attract a nearby Murray cod - your thoughts/theory???

Craig1 · Guru

Ron, there is some mention here, Albury Wodonga about " chicken bait " used in Lake Mulwala. Not sure what it is, maybe enquire at a local tackle shop.

Possum3 · Guru

Craig1 wrote:
Ron, there is some mention here, Albury Wodonga about " chicken bait " used in Lake Mulwala. Not sure what it is, maybe enquire at a local tackle shop.

I have been very successful using KFC to catch Codfish in the Barwon - taught to me by Aboriginal Elder.

rmoor · Senior Member

Thanks Craig. Chicken bait?? Interesting. Possibly chicken gut? I will ask a few local experts and see if any response. As for KFC, I would have to find some in a bin as I have banned it from the menu. Not good for the waistline or the ticker. The "old" KFC is edible but I don't know what is in the new mush they turn out but last time I ate that stuff felt "bilious" as my old granny used to say. Have often wondered how a "real" chicken would taste done under the (old) KFC process. I tend to kissacod and put them back. Possibly too big to retain on a trip. In fact I am not averse to the odd redfin and they can get a fair size in the rivers. Also, a decent feed of yabbies is also the go, although I find it very amusing watching the TV chefs cook them with the p** cord still in. No thanks, an old bushie taught me that removal process with twisting the middle tail section and withdraw the offending cord. Reckon it would taste a bit like KFC

Starting a 2 month work program today then hopefully September head off on a South Coast jaunt, Mollymook to Sussex Inlet for a month in the new ute and little Roadstar and try and torment some fish. Currently studying free campsites and van parks on that route. Murray River exploration and golf tour comes later.
Thanks fellas. Have a good day.

Possum3 · Guru

Lately I have been only "wishing not fishing", can't seem to get anything other than carp.

rmoor · Senior Member

A mate was to lose his job on the Nat Parks and Wildlife. It is hard for some to get full time jobs with them, it is a bit of a closed shop. Contract roles don't last. I suggested to him we commercially fish for carp. They bring good dollars at the Sydney fish markets and with the price of foods these days could be a sound commercial activity. A real nice fella was carping Burrendong a few years back and doing OK from it. Thought I had a good Yella hit a lure recently and it was a carp. They are a big disappointment since they have decided to take lures !!! They are only good up the bank for foxes but some sections of the community like them.