Top 11 Things to do in Berri, South Australia

If your weekend escape radar hasn’t landed on Berri yet, it’s time to fix that! One of the Riverland’s most underrated towns, there’s nowhere quite like it for a weekend of unwinding. Ready to give it a try? Here are the best things to do in Berri, South Australia.

Get to Know Berri

Let’s start with the basics. Berri, a small town in the Riverland region of South Australia, is full of surprises.With the meandering Murray River, endless horizons of orange earth, friendly locals and luscious vineyard views all on its doorstep, Berri is unlike anywhere else in the Riverland. Getting its name from the local Aboriginal term ‘bery bery’, meaning bend in the river, this charming riverside town surrounded by 3000 hectares of vineyards is long overdue a spot on your weekend escape list.

Wine has been woven into Berri’s identity since 1918, and today that history sits alongside a newer wave of boutique cellar doors and small-batch winemakers. Known as Australia’s fruit bowl, it’s also home to some of the country’s best regional produce, with roadside stalls dotted along the highway. There’s plenty of history to soak up too; from a converted 1950s water tower lookout to a mural beneath the Berri Bridge paying tribute to the region’s Aboriginal heritage.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Berri

With its prime Riverland location, Berri is a fantastic spot to base yourself for a Riverland weekend escape. So, here are some of the best things to do in Berri (or nearby) whilst you’re here.

1. Canoe or kayak on the Murray River

The Murray River provides visitors with the ultimate rural Australian experience! Remarkable networks of waterways that meander through national parks make for the perfect place to hire a kayak or a canoe. Drop into Canoe Adventure and get up close and personal with nature as you float down stream. There are various tours available with these guys, as well as simple kayak hire for exploring at your own pace.

2.  Taste some local Berri wine

Located in the heart of the Riverland region, it’s natural that Berri has a lot of wine to offer. To be exact, the largest of wineries in Berri produces up to 200,000 tonnes of wine each year, whilst the smallest winery produces about 60 tonnes. The surrounding wineries in Berri function on a huge, industrial scale. Berri Estate Winery has been an integral part of the town’s history since 1918. However, more recently the wine industry in Berri has diversified. Smaller, innovative, boutique wineries, specialising in small batches and wider varieties are now common. Drop into Selena Estate or 919 Wines to chat with locals and have a taste of the local crisp whites and moorish reds.

3. Visit Murray River National Park

Just a short drive away, you’ll find Murray River National Park. The combination of red earth and winding river make for a stunning location to take a hike, with several walking trails to choose from, including the easy 30-minute Kai Kai Nature Trail and the hour-long Ngak Indau Walking Trail.

For something a little different, pack a kayak or canoe and paddle along Katarapko Creek, an important habitat for native fish that winds through black box, red gum and lignum-covered floodplains. Wetlands alive with aquatic bird species also make the national park absolutely ideal for birdwatching, and the Ngak Indau Wetland Trail even takes you past a dedicated bird hide.

4. Visit the water tower lookout 

Right in the heart of time, this old water tower, converted into a lookout, offers visitors the perfect place to catch a glimpse of the Riverland from 15.8 metres up. Steps wind around the outside of the tower and then inside near the top, where you get a great sense of just how wild and wide the Murray really is.

Head up just before sunset for the best views. There’s also a BBQ and picnic area at the base.

5. Try out one of Berri’s local restaurants 

Dine at a cosy local pub, a little riverbank cafe or one of the hearty restaurants in Berri. Try the iconic Mallee Fowl to indulge in some Aussie country style dishes. Otherwise, for a more central option, head to the Berri Hotel Bistro for some traditional pub classics in a modern dining area and terrace near the water. Not hungry? Just drop into the friendly bistro here for an afternoon beer and mingle with the locals.

A few minutes out of town, the Big River Tavern, which with a newly renovated outdoor deck overlooking the Golf Course, is the perfect setting for a bistro style lunch or dinner (don’t pass up on the pizzas!). The laid back vibes and kids play area makes this one of the most family friendly restaurants in Berri.

6. Take a riverfront walk

One of the best ways to get a feel for Berri is simply to take a leisurely walk along the Murray. The Historic Riverfront Walk hugs the river’s edge, passing murals, the old wharf and a handful of cafes that make it tempting to stop for a coffee halfway. Along the banks, you’ll pass a monument marking the spot where explorer Captain Charles Sturt passed through in 1830, the old Berri Ferry Landing which operated until 1926, and a mural based on the Ngurunderi Dreaming story of the origins of the Murray River. At just 1.4 kilometres, it’s an easy, flat stroll with a decent amount of history to discover and views to soak in.

7. Go to the Berri Farmers Market

Head over to the Riverland Farmers Market on Saturday morning between 7.30 and 11.30am to pick up some of the region’s finest produce. The Riverland produces 95% of South Australia’s citrus, so expect plenty of oranges, lemons and limes alongside fresh vegetables, nuts, organic lamb, capers, olive oil, jams, pickles, dried fruit and mettwurst. A bacon and egg roll with a freshly squeezed orange juice makes for a pretty perfect Saturday morning.

8. Take a dip at Lake Bonney

A short drive from Berri, Lake Bonney is one of South Australia’s most popular freshwater playgrounds, with swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing all on offer. The wetlands around it teem with wildlife, and you can walk or bike the full lake perimeter, stopping at the historic Nappers ruins along the way. The lake also has a surprisingly colourful past: in 1964, British speed record holder Donald Campbell brought his jet-powered hydroplane Bluebird here in an attempt to set a new world water speed record, putting the little town of Barmera firmly on the map.

9. Enjoy Monash Adventure Park

One of the most popular family attractions in the Riverland, Monash Adventure Park has been drawing visitors since the 1960s. Expect crazy leaning towers, rope bridges, a wave bridge, flying fox, giant swings, slides and a large wooden maze, plus free electric barbecues and picnic facilities if you want to make a day of it.

Take the kids and you’ll end up having some fun too. Note: the paddleboat kiosk is currently closed, but the nearby Monash general store is on hand for snacks and drinks.

10. Take a boat ride on the Murray River 

Bright, sunburnt orange riverbanks and tranquil landscapes make the Murray River totally relaxing. Take a boat down the river for the full immersive experience. Hop onto a short two hour river cruise, or be the captain of your own boat. Either way, sit back and enjoy this quintessentially Australian scenery with family or friends. This has to be one of the most leisurely of things to do in Berri!

11. Taste some local spirits

We admit, this one isn’t in Berri, but it’s also not a long drive from wherever you’re staying. Twenty Third Street Distillery is the new incarnation of a 1914 landmark in Renmark, steeped in history and oozing with contemporary energy.

The team produces award-winning gins, whiskies and more using fresh local ingredients, and you can sip your way through a tasting flight or settle in for a cocktail or two. Each bottle also features a label designed by an Australian artist, making them a pretty good souvenir to take home!

Book your stay in Berri South Australia

Heading to Berri this year? Here are a few places to stay that work perfectly for a chilled out weekend away.

Set just outside town, Par Five Shacks offers a peaceful, design-led stay right by the golf course, pretty perfect if you want something a little more private, modern and with plenty of space to unwind.

If you enjoy a round of golf and like the idea of a onsite pool and modern tavern, Big River Golf and Country Club combines spacious accommodation with an easy, laid-back setting, plus the bonus of sunset drinks overlooking the course.

Prefer to stay in the centre of things? The Berri Hotel means you get to be right in town, within easy reach of the river (we’re talking a matter of metres), making it a convenient base for exploring. Plus, the restaurant and bar here is a great place to unwind too.

Looking for more information about Berri South Australia?

For more information about things to do, places to eat, wineries to visit and much more in Berri and the Riverland, check out our Ultimate Guide to Berri.