Loxton Courthouse Apartments Riverland review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

Growing up in North-West Tasmania, the River Murray was a concept I had trouble wrapping my head around. I had to see it for myself so headed to Loxton.

Growing up in North-West Tasmania, the River Murray was a concept I had trouble wrapping my head around.

It wasn’t just that the mighty Murray seemed to be constantly lurching from one crisis to the next, it was the sheer size of Australia’s longest river. At 2375km, it’s about seven times the length of Tasmania. Throw in the arid climate and it’s enough to make a boy from dairy farmer country’s head spin. It was no wonder the Murray sat atop my South Australian bucket list – it simply had to be seen to be believed.

Loxton’s redeveloped courthouse apartments stand out in the quaint Riverland town of Loxton, but also reflect its history. Standing on the site of the former courthouse and police station, established in 1963, the sleek and modern apartments are based right in the heart of the town.

Boasting four apartments – two studio apartments, as well as a pair of two-bedroomers – guests get to lounge about in style in the same spots where the town’s criminals presumably sat miserably, nursing interminable boredom.

There’s a cosy reading nook in Loxton Courthouse Apartments’ Jury Room.

There’s no such boredom in the Jury Room, the accessible studio suite we’ve opted for. The smart TV hooks up to Netflix, it boasts an outdoor barbecue area to get eaten alive by an army of mosquitoes, and three different stylish places – including a reading nook – to rip through a good book.

The apartment’s comfortable, light and modern, and boasts an espresso coffee machine, which was sorely needed after an afternoon drinking in both wine and excellent views at Banrock Station at Kingston-On-Murray.

It boasts a dishwasher and cooktop for those who want to stay in, and is nicely located for those planning to venture out to the Loxton Hotel.

Loxton Courthouse Apartments’ Jury Room Accessibility suite.

The apartments themselves are just a few minutes stroll from the Pioneer playground, and a short drive to Loxton’s main drag and a stroll along the river to the Tree of Knowledge, which measures flood levels over the years.

Owner Sheree is polite to a fault and makes the whole process easy. The only thing that jars is a note in the apartment’s manual that warns of a hefty fee if you forget to load and fire up the dishwasher. It’s the kind of thing you expect from a crappy hostel, not an almost $200 a night apartment.

The highlight of the trip is undoubtedly getting up close and personal with the Murray while taking a detour through Berri and Renmark on the way home.

Kym from Canoe Adventures meets us with two kayaks just off the highway near Berri. For $80 we meander our way through wetlands and waterways just off the Murray for the best part of three hours, revelling in the scenery and birdlife. It’s spectacular and achieved with a minimum of fuss, with Kym picking us up at the end and dropping us back at our car.

We wind our way back to Adelaide, stopping in at Renmark to check out the Twenty Third Street Distillery and sampling exquisite Greek food at Mallee Estate Wines.

It’s very different to Tasmania, but the Riverland thrilled at every junction. We’ll be back.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in February 2019 and details updated in March 2021.

• 45 Bookpurnong Tce, Loxton
• 0499 850 833
• loxtoncourthouseapartments.com.au
• LOCATION 256km northeast of Adelaide CBD. Loxton is in the Riverland, just shy of three hours drive from Adelaide.
• ACCOMMODATION Studio apartment, 2 & 4 bedroom apartments.
• FACILITIES Queen/King beds, double sofa beds, Kitchenette with cooktop, microwave, dishwasher and fridge. Smart TV with complimentary Netflix, free Wi-Fi. Private alfresco area with a BBQ and outdoor furniture.
• PRICE From $140 a night.