Murray River Tour 2017

Sunday 7/05/2017

Left Melbourne at about 9:45 and headed off towards the Calder Highway. We were going to stop in Malmsbury and have morning tea, but after making a purchase at the bakery, decided to push on as we still had a long way to go. Had lunch in the botanic gardens in Inglewood. Continued on all the way to Mildura, arriving at our accommodation at about 5:15. Our cabin was on the edge of the caravan park overlooking some bush and the Murray River. First impressions of Mildura are good. The cabin is clean and well appointed (Golden River Caravan Park). Had tea at the RSL - which was surprisingly busy for a Sunday night.

Weather fine and sunny with a cool breeze - 17 degrees. 568 kilometres.

Monday 8/05/2017

Woke to a cold but clear morning. Had breakfast then headed off to do a tour of Merbein and Wentworth. Had a look at lock 10 and the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers. Travelled back towards Mildura via Dareton and Buronga. All these towns were pretty, well maintained and pleasing to the eye. Checked out the Dareton Botanical Gardens which were quite impressive. Returned to our cabin for lunch, then drove to town to do the art deco self guided walk around town. Back to the cabin for a BBQ dinner.

Fine and sunny day with a cool breeze - 29 degrees. 118 km.

Tuesday 9/05/2017

Woke to another clear and cold morning. Had breakfast and then headed down to Lock 11. A well manicured park welcomed us and the roaring of the river water flowing over the weir beckoned us to walk the path for a closer look. We drove back along the road on the waterfront then over the bridge to Buronga to check out the caravan park. Definitely a place to put on the list to stay at when on a future visit to the Mildura area. Well kept, shady and clean.

After a stop at the bakery, we headed off on the NSW side of the river along the Sturt Highway to Euston. We had lunch next to the Euston Bowling Club Resort. Euston is another well set out pleasant town, worth keeping in mind for a future lazy couple of days on the river. That was contrasted completely when we crossed the river to Robinvale, which appeared a plain, utilitarian town after all the other river towns we have visited so far.

Onwards to Swan Hill. We liked the look of a place on Pental Island to stay, but when we got there, found out it was more of a holiday camp where you supply your own bed linen. A couple of phone inquiries revealed that there was a bowling competition in town and most places were booked out. By luck we found a B&B at Lake Boga. It is perfect. The hosts are very friendly and the villa we had was perfect. Took a walk along the path next to the lake before retiring to our villa for tea (Burrabliss Bed and Breakfast).

Another fine and sunny day with a cool breeze - 18 degrees. 266 km.

Wednesday 10/05/2017

Had a leisurely start to the day, sipping coffee on the veranda in the sun before walking along the path next to Lake Boga towards town. The path is brand new and circles about half of the lake. The park next to the lake nearer town is very attractive and well maintained. Walked back to our accommodation - 6 km all up. Had lunch then drove around the lake before checking out the caravan park next to the lake and the small township.

Headed up the highway to Swan Hill and walked along the river path and checked out another caravan park. Did some shopping and returned to Lake Boga for the evening. We were planning to go to the local planetarium for a telescope solar system viewing, but it's a full moon tonight and liable to be washed out.

A little overcast but fine weather. 18 degrees. 70 km.

Thursday 11/05/2017

A little more overcast this morning and quite cool. Had breakfast then packed up and headed off towards Echuca. Rather than following the Murray Valley Highway, we took the Murrabit - Koondrook Road. Both of these towns were small, quiet and quite attractive. We had a coffee stop in Koondrook, then on to Cohuna.

From Cohuna we followed the Cohuna Island Road towards Gunbower, then asked the GPS to take us to Torumbarry Weir. Surprisingly it suggested a scenic route along back roads along the river. We got to within 3 km of the weir on River Track, but had to turn back due to heavily rutted and muddy sections. Oh well, we got to see some country off the beaten track. Took a circuitous route around on the more substantial roads and arrived at Torumbarry in time for lunch. Inspected the weir layout and ate lunch in the park on the river bank. We continued on to Echuca. The Internet told us their were no vacancies at the Moama Riverside Caravan Park, but we rolled up anyway and managed to secure a cabin for the night.

After settling in a having a walk around Horse Shoe Lagoon, we headed off to Rich River Country Club for dinner.

Fine with some cloudy patches. 18 degrees. 209 km.

Friday 12/05/2017

A fine clear morning with some smoke haze. We set off from Echuca and found another back road to explore instead of heading straight along the highway - Bangerang Road - and looked at some caravan parks dotted along the Murray. Drove on the dirt for a while before returning to the highway and heading towards Nathalia for a quick stop at the bakery. We had lunch on the river at Tocumwal near the town beach. Afterwards we headed on to Barooga, Cobram and arrived at Mulwala.

After looking at the caravan park we were thinking of staying at, we decided to try an apartment (Willow Island) we had seen on the Internet by stopping at the local real estate agent. It is on the southern edge of Lake Mulwala, just out of Yarrawonga. Originally a granny flat, it is very well appointed and our friendly hosts welcomed us with some flowers, fruit and breakfast supplies.

Overcast with sunny periods. No breeze at all. Smoke haze. 18 degrees. 239 km.

Saturday 13/05/2017

A very comfortable night in our granny flat with our hosts Rosene and Fenton. Had a leisurely start to the day having a walk along the lake foreshore taking in the variety of housing styles there. Headed off to down town Yarrawonga for a coffee and walk along the main street. Spent some time next to the lake researching our next accommodation and decided on a cottage in Beechworth. Inspected the weir arrangements that feed the Yarrawonga and Mulwala canals that irrigate a sizable portion of Victoria and New South Wales. Ate in our apartment - bits and pieces of leftovers before settling down to watch Moulin Rouge.

Fantastic weather. Fine and mainly clear. 19 degrees. 47 km.

Sunday 14/05/2017

Time to move on again. Crossed over to New South Wales to travel to Corowa, then over to Wahgunyah on the Victorian side. The little motel where we have stayed right on the river is looking a little run down now. Had morning tea in Wahgunyah before going back on the NSW side to have a look at Howlong on the way to Albury. The flat country ends after Howlong, with rolling hills and foothills in the distance surrounding Albury. Drove through Albury which looks good with wide footpaths and busy coffee shops doing a fine trade - Mothers' Day.

Had lunch at Hume Weir. Took the back road towards Bonegilla, then along the Lake Hume shore to Tallangatta. Turned around to head back to the turn off to Yackandandah, then to Beechworth.

Arrived at Hilda Cottage - and it looks great. Quaint little place, clean and warm with the wood heater on snooze waiting for us.

Had a quick look around town. Bought a roast chicken and some kale salad for tea. Watched the movie Sliding Doors.

Cool breeze and becoming overcast during the day. 17 degrees. 242 km.

Monday 15/05/2017

Had a very relaxing day in Beechworth, exploring the shops, having coffee and later reading on the veranda. Ate in again - pasta.

A few clouds, no wind, about 18 degrees. No driving today.

Tuesday 16/05/2017

Started the day with a coffee and hot chocolate in Beechworth before heading down to the gorge for a walk to the powder magazine and along Spring Creek. Then headed off to Sambell Lake, Stanley and Lake Kerford. Next we headed to Yackandandah for lunch before a lazy afternoon doing a little souvenir shopping in Beechworth and then sitting on the veranda in the sun to finish the day off.

Another perfect day. No wind, sunny and about 18 degrees. 86 km.

Wednesday 17/05/

A little more overcast this morning, but not too cold. Had a couple of mouse sightings last night. Packed our things and headed of to the main street for a coffee and hot chocolate before heading off towards Everton, where we took a short walk along the rail trail.

Stopped at Milawa and Oxley to buy some things for lunch, but had to go on to Moyhu to get some salami from the general store. Drove through Whitfield and Cheshunt to the Lake William Hovell dam where we had lunch. After that we headed up the hill to Power's Lookout then to Tolmie for afternoon tea and finally finishing up in Mansfield. Overcast, no wind, about 18 degrees. 201 km today.

That's the end of our Murray River odyssey. A lovely trip with fine weather and great scenery.

Total trip distance = 2064 km (2300 by the time we get back home).