I found the best Aussie getaway at Echuca Moama on the Murray River

On the edge of the outback the twin towns of Echuca and Moama provide a memorable Murray River getaway.

Australia’s longest river the mighty Murray is a historic waterway that also plays a role as a borderline between NSW and Victoria.

The state split riverside townships include Echuca Moama, where about 15,000 people live on the Victorian side of Echuca and 7,600 on the NSW side of Moama.

Around an eight hour road trip from Sydney, or just two and a half hours from Albury or Melbourne, the twin towns offer an Aussie getaway with great food, wine and country fun.

Take to the water

A paddle steamer makes its way up the Murray River near Echuca-Moama.

You know you’re in Echuca Moama when you hear the sound of a paddle steamer’s whistle echoing down the river. Australia’s paddle steamer capital for more than 150 years still has ways to hop on board these beautiful old vessels, including a cruise and Morrisons Winery lunch combo on the 110 year old, wood-fired PS Canberra with Murray River Paddlesteamers. 

Spend the night on the water on a paddle steamer or your own houseboat. There’s no need to have a special licence to take a houseboat out onto the water and with boats ranging from a more intimate escape for two up to houseboats with ten seater spas you can choose your own houseboat style.

See Aussie wildlife from a paddle steamer on the Murray.

Hire a stand up paddle board and gently paddle or simply float your way down the Murray River. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you glide past paddle steamers and arrange for a shuttle back to your car so you can enjoy going with the flow. Big and small kids can also have fun taking on the floating playground obstacles at the Aqua Island waterpark.

Other popular water activities include water skiing, wake boarding and knee boarding, as well as more gentle pursuits like fishing. Or you can simply sit on the riverbank with a picnic and watch river life going by.

Wine and dine

Wine and views at Morrisons Winery.

Do a spot of wine tasting before lunch at Morrisons Winery and Restaurant where you can try their classic Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc among other drops with Murray River views. After years of working in Melbourne local chef Kaitlyn Wills has taken over the Morrisons restaurant kitchen where she’s creating delicious dishes including beef tartare tacos with truffle and cured egg yolk and super fresh and tasty spring pea risottos.

Their spring pea risotto is a winner. Picture: Amanda Woods

Treat yourself to a coffee, brunch, lunch or a decadent cake at Hammond Providore, or ‘Michelle’s’ as the locals call it, and discover local farm gates, wineries and a meadery on the Backroads Trail which also includes tips on birdwatching walks and hiking trails. 

And for the most glamorous restaurant ever found at the back of a country bowling club, The Junction at Moama is the place to be for excellent cocktails, creative and tasty dishes and attentive service in a venue where you can gather around a fire pit under a chandelier as the DJ plays all the right tunes.

Stay in country style

A bedroom at Moira Station. Image: Amanda Woods

Enjoy a luxe country getaway at Moira Station where the Starry Nights Luxury Accomodation Quarters includes huge sky lights in the bedroom so you can look up at the stars from your soft king size bed, large claw foot tubs with views over the Cadel Fault, and a private deck where you can dine on dishes created with your complimentary breakfast hamper. The station dates back to 1842 and while there are only four Starry Nights stays larger groups can also book rooms in the homestead as well as adding on camping to take advantage of the new amenities block with chandelier touches.

Other great ways to stay include family friendly motels and holiday parks, campgrounds and retreats and houseboats and paddle steamer nights. 

Hike and bike

On your bike at Horseshoe Lagoon.

Get out amongst the river red gums on a hike or bike trail. There are lots of trails to choose from including the gentle Horseshoe Lagoon loop that takes you along wetland boardwalks and the edge of the Murray River for an easy half hour, 2.1km return stroll where you can spot local wildlife and birds.

You can BYO or rent a bike or e-bike to take on some of the trails. The Five Mile Mountain Trail is one of the stand outs in the area and offers seven kilometres of purpose built mountain bike trails with wall rides, drops and flowing bridges to enjoy as well as an area with berms, jumps and rollers to flex your two wheel skills.

Deni Ute Muster

The Deni ute muster is an outback tradition.

Time your visit right and you can also pop up the road to the Deni Ute Muster. Less than an hour away in the Ute Capital of the World, Deniliquin, the Ute Muster is held in October and brings around 20,000 people to the Riverina for a festival inspired by a very Aussie car. 

This year 7,991 utes came together from around Australia to be a part of the festival that mixes performances by country music stars including Kip Moore, Tyler Hubbard and Amber Lawrence with Paul Bennet Air Shows, Inflatable Church weddings, ferret racing, IKEA wars, silent discos and a whole lot more.

The 2025 Ute Muster will be held on the 3rd and 4th of October so snap up your accommodation for that one now or book a family friendly camping spot to spend the night.

The writer travelled as a guest of Destination NSW. 

Originally published as I found the best Aussie getaway at Echuca Moama on the Murray River