Follow the Murray: A 5-Day Road Trip from Adelaide to Mildura

Have you ever looked closely at how the Murray River transforms? Down near the mouth it’s wide and steady, built for boats and distant views. Up past Murray Bridge the orange cliffs take over and the landscape changes into something otherworldly. Keep going, heading into Victoria, and you meet tight bends and wild country. If you’ve got a few free days this summer, follow those changes and get to know Australia’s most amazing river in more detail.

Getting to Know Your Neighbour: the Murray River

The Murray River has shaped Australia (quite literally), and its people since for many thousands of years. In fact, the Murray is truly ancient; one of the oldest in the world, estimated at about 40 million. Flowing from the Australian Alps to the Southern Ocean, the river carved valleys, built floodplains and turned dry country into fertile land, sustaining Aboriginal communities for tens of thousands of years. Entire ecosystems, cultures and trade routes formed along its banks long before Europeans arrived.

Today, that same river winds through and blesses all kinds of Australian tourism destinations, although most people forget about it’s incredible geographical and historical significance. It threads through wine regions, historic towns and quiet stretches where pelicans, kangaroos and river red gums still dominate the view. You can follow it by road, stay right on its banks, paddle sections of it by kayak, or base yourself in river towns where exploring it becomes easy.

A 5-Day Road Trip from Adelaide to Mildura

This article follows a 5-day journey from Adelaide to Mildura, tracing the river as it changes shape and character along the way.

Part road trip, part river immersion, it’s a way to understand the river properly, whether you’re into geology, wildlife, or you just want a few days where the water sets the pace instead of your calendar.

Day 1: Adelaide to Mannum

Leaving Adelaide, the quickest way to meet the Murray is to head east toward Murray Bridge; a place where the river really makes the town what it is today.

Start your journey here, or if you feel like experiencing the Murray from the beginning, start there instead. You’ll just have to take the detour to the Murray Mouth near Goolwa or Wellington if you’re committed to the task at hand (this of course makes for a lot more driving).

Give yourself a few hours to experience the river at Murray Bridge by parking near Sturt Reserve and taking a short walk along the riverfront. The paths here follow the water closely, with wide bends and houseboats drifting past.

For a break with a view, the Bridgeport Hotel is a great stop. Grab a drink on the deck and watch the river traffic move slowly by. Or if you want to get closer to the water, Freedom Boat Hire operates nearby and offers kayak and boat hire, a good option if you want your first paddle of the trip.

From Murray Bridge, the drive to Mannum becomes noticeably more scenic. Quiet side roads lead down toward the river at various points, and it’s worth pulling over when you see a gap in the trees. These small access spots give you early glimpses of the river’s calmer stretches, framed by red gums and wide, glassy sections of water.

Upon arrival in Murray Bridge, check in at the Mannum Motel which sits directly on the riverbank. Rooms look straight onto the water, so the river becomes part of the evening. Dinner here super tasty and very casual, with tables close enough to the river that you can watch the light fade on the water.

If you’ve brought fishing gear, this is the moment to use it. Cast a line from the river’s edge or just sit and take in the quiet.

Day 2: Mannum to Berri

Leaving Mannum in the morning, the river starts to feel a little wilder. This section of the Murray is characterised by bends and beautiful valleys where red cliffs stand out amongst the landscape. Near Younghusband, as well as other spots on the way, you can pull over and look straight across wide sections of river framed by gums.

It’s from here onwards that the landscape turns into the real ‘Riverland’; flatter, warmer and distinctly agricultural, with citrus orchards and vineyards creeping closer to the riverbanks. Aim to arrive in Berri around lunchtime.

Charming Berri sits right on the river and makes a relaxed base for exploring the Riverland. Start with a walk along the riverfront, which runs past parks and shaded picnic areas, or head up to the Berri Water Tower Lookout for views across the river and farmland.

Food and wine are central here, and the Riverland Wine Centre is a perfect introduction, showcasing local producers and varietals shaped by the river’s climate. Otherwise, head straight to a cosy cellar door, like at 919 Wines where warm-climate wines steal the show.

Finally, check in at Berri Hotel for the night. Rooms and self-contained villas give you lots of flexibility, and the location makes everything easy to reach. The outdoor pool is ideal in warmer months, and the Berri Hotel Bistro looks straight over the river, so dinner comes with sunset views.

Day 3: Exploring the Riverland

Breakfast at the Berri Hotel comes with river views, so it’s a great corner to gently fire up the morning. Grab a takeaway coffee in town afterwards, get out to the water to stretch your legs and properly wake up.

A good first stop today is Murray River National Park, just a short drive from Berri. If you’ve ever seen the Riverland advertised in magazines or posters, you’ll recognise this place as soon as you arrive. The Ngak Indau Wetland Trail is an easy loop of a few kilometres that takes you right along the riverbank. The landscape feels raw and stripped back, with long stretches of silence broken only by wind, parrots and the river sweeping past.

By late morning or lunchtime, point the car toward Barmera and Lake Bonney. Head to the foreshore and you’ll find Lake Bonney Adventure Park, where you can hire gear for windsurfing and other water sports when conditions are right. Otherwise, skip on the gear and enjoy a swim or just sitting with your feet in the water.

Make time for Ireland Point and see the iconic dead river gums standing in the lake; one of the Riverland’s most striking sights, especially in the evening light. When hunger hits during the day, Barmera’s bakeries and cafés are an easy stop before heading back to Berri. By evening, the riverfront at the Berri Hotel calls you once again.

Time for a meal at the bistro, a drink overlooking the water, and very little else on the agenda.

Day 4: Berri to Mildura

Leave Berri in the morning and follow the river north toward Renmark, one of the Riverland’s most visited towns. A walk along the Renmark riverfront shows off classic houseboats, shady lawns and wide bends of the Murray, and there’s no shortage of cafés for a proper coffee hit before moving on.

By lunch time, aim for 23rd Street Distillery, just outside town. Tastings here cover gin, brandy and whisky, and the site itself is part working distillery, part heritage attraction. Lunch is an easy decision too, with a menu built around regional produce and generous portions that suit a road trip day.

From here, the drive to Mildura is long and famously straight; about an hour and a half of open road that makes the landscape feel more giant with every kilometre. On your left is the river, with its northern bank in New South Wales and its southern in Victoria.

Upon arrival, check into Kar-Rama Hotel, a central base that puts you close to the river and town centre. The pool is a huge plus, especially good after an afternoon on the road.

Then, mid afternoon head out to explore Mildura’s back yard. Visit the Perry Sandhills; a patch of otherworldly desert-style scenery just minutes from town, while the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens showcases native plants adapted to this dry corner of the country.

Dinner options are abundant once you’re back in town. Stefano’s is a long-standing local favourite for Italian or Brass Monkey for relaxed modern Australian. Otherwise, if you could also head to Mildura Golf Resort for dinner where tasty classics like schnitzels and burgers are served in a golf course setting.

Day 5: Mildura to Adelaide

On your final morning, give Mildura a little time before the drive. A short wander through the centre of town shows off its quiet streets and strong agricultural backbone. This place exists because the land truly delivers!

Orange World is a good last stop, offering tractor tours through working citrus orchards and tastings that underline just how productive this region is. You’ll leave with a better understanding of what grows here and why the Murray matters so much.

Then it’s time to head back south west. The drive back to Adelaide takes around four and a half hours, following the same river systems that shaped the journey north. Set off around lunchtime and you’ll roll back into the city by dinner, having traced a very large portion of the Murray.

Where to Stay

Browse our hotel recommendations for your 5-day Murray River adventure below.

Mannum Motel

Berri Hotel 

Kar-Rama

Mildura Golf Resort