Rollin’ through the Riverland
Winding its way from the border of Victoria and New South Wales, the Murray River meanders through the Riverland – a place where horticulture, food and wine, and natural beauty come together.
There’s no better way to learn more about a destination than by speaking to locals. So, to help you plan your next Riverland adventure, we’ve spoken to three locals who’ve given us inside knowledge of what to see and do in the region.
Deb Schier
Caudo Vineyards, Cadell
Caudo Vineyards in Cadell combines spectacular views of the Murray with refreshing wine and good food. Deb Schier, of Caudo Vineyards, tells us why this hidden gem is so special.
Why should visitors stop by Caudo Vineyards?
Our cellar door is located just metres from the beautiful Murray River and the corner river location offers uninterrupted views.
The rustic feel of our cellar door blends in perfectly with the surroundings. We offer local tasting platters, table-top barbecues and wood-fired pizzas, along with our estate-grown wines and, of course, our famous sangria.
What else should visitors do while they’re in Cadell and Waikerie?
Nearby town Waikerie has some great silo art and the riverfront has been upgraded and looks amazing.
If you’re looking to go on a cruise up the Murray, River Gum Cruises operates from the riverfront.
Waikerie Golf Club is also worth visiting if you have time to fit in a game. For the kids, there’s the water and nature play park, which is certainly worth visiting.
What makes the Riverland so special?
The beautiful weather. On average, the Riverland has 320 days of sunshine each year. We have so many lovely food and wine outlets that not only offer delicious food and wine, but also spectacular scenery as well.
What’s your favourite thing to do in the Riverland?
I love to enjoy the outdoors and river lifestyle with family and friends and take in everything the Riverland has to offer.
Tim Field
Banrock Station, Kingston-on-Murray
Wine – check; good food – check; hiking trails and an abundance of wildlife – check. Banrock Station has all of this in one location. Wetland Manager Tim Field explains why you must visit next time you’re in the Riverland.
What makes Banrock Station so different from other wine destinations?
It’s an internationally recognised wetland. There are only a few sites in the whole state, and this one has public access where you can come and have a walk around, which is unique.
Why is Banrock Station a must-visit destination?
Well, if you want to tie in our wine tasting and café cellar door experience with a walk through of our wetland, there’s a variety of things to do in one place.
We have an 8km hiking trail, and some shorter options as well. Along the way, we have five bird hides where you can do some bird watching. There are also information boards that provide details about our landscape, history and the rehabilitation of the wetlands.
What types of birds can people see in the wetlands?
We have 190 species of birds that we’ve recorded, and when the wetland is full, we get big bird-breeding events.
At the moment, there are colonies of ibis and spoonbills, which is a good indication that there’s a lot of food out there.
Over the summer months, we do get international migratory birds that come from the Arctic Circle.
Where else should people visit near Kingston-On-Murray?
There’s a good walk along Lake Bonney in Barmera – the council has put a lot of effort into developing that.
Loch Luna Cruises – a little boat operator out of Kingston-on-Murray – has cruises in a boat that has a flat bottom so you can go anywhere a canoe can and get up close to local wildlife.
What do you love about the Riverland?
I’m a plant person, so I love the nice parks in the region. I would visit Gluepot Station, which is one of the BirdLife Australia reserves. There’s cheap camping and walking trails.