Let’s start off by saying that the Riverland is sorely underrated.
The 130 million-year playground is home to the third longest navigable river on the planet and without sound cliché, it simply takes your breath away. The large cliff faces which tower over you and the unique South Australian landscape is nature at its best.
As the the Murray River’s unprecedented floodwaters retreat, there’s a unique chance to explore our rejuvenated Riverland.
A $4.6 million river tourism recovery plan includes a River Revival Voucher scheme where more than 25,000 vouchers will be released over three rounds in 2023. This means there’s no better time to explore what’s essentially in our backyard.
Glam Adelaide was given the chance to explore what the region has on offer and we jumped at opportunity to see how the community is recovering and and re-opening.
Here’s our 48-hour guide to the Riverland – what to do and where to eat, drink and stay.
Day 1
Juggle House Experiences’ Murray River Highlights Tour – Mannum
If you’re seeking a tour which will make you think the Riverland is the best place for a getaway, you’re in the right hands with Juggle House Experiences. They have a whole range of tours, from stargazing to house boat trips, but the Murray River Highlights day-tour which we went on was gold-standard.
Part bus trip, part boat cruise, part foodie escape, we soaked up the serenity as we gently cruised away from normal life.
The tour is designed to show off the highlights of the 130 million-year-old natural playground. It took us on a Murray River cruise, then to the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal site, the Big Bend Cliffs and more.
Once we meet owner Kelly, we knew we were in good hands. One of the first things she said to us was that we were filling up her cup already – and this was at 9am. “Our blend here is a mix of professionalism and a laid back approach, we want you to feel relaxed and drop your shoulders for the day,” Kelly tells us.
The intimate tour (with 8 of us) sets off in a an entertainer limo, which is like a bus but elegantly decked out with Champagne inside. It winds its way through the stunning landscape before we get onto a boat where you truly start to appreciate the grandeur of the 2508 kms River. Caramel coloured limestone cliffs teamed over us giving us a sense of just how old and eternal the Riverland is.
Once back on land, we stopped past the Swan Reach Hotel and Bowhill General Store for morning tea and lunch before moving on to more breathtaking views. The entire tour we sat back and relaxed while soaking up what feels like a massive stretch of the Murray in just 8 hours.
Find out more about the experience here.
The Bridgeport Hotel – Murray Bridge
After our day tour we headed to The Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge, which was just 20 minutes from Mannum. It’s a shock looking up at the grand hotel compared to the once small building a few years ago. The $45 million upgrade has definitely given it a facelift.
The Bridgeport Hotel now boasts the largest capacity of all hotels in the region with 100 4.5 star high-quality guest rooms, a fully equipped gym and heated infinity pool, a bar, a restaurant and more.
We were put up in the Riverside Balcony Suite which had picturesque Murray River Views, which you could see from the balcony. Think stunning palm trees lining the entrance of the train tracks and bridges which glide over the river – and at sunset and sunrise this view was made 10 times better.
It’s also highly convenient that there’s the Rivergum Restaurant on site which has upscale pub classics as well as more modern, international dishes. The vegetarian pizza is definitely a winner!
Find out more information about the Bridgeport Hotel here.
Day 2
23rd Street Distillery – Renmark
After checking out of the Bridgeport Hotel, we leisurely made our way to Renmark which is roughly a 2.5 hour drive. Our first pit-stop was 23rd Street Distillery which is a haven for fantastic spirits and drinks, delicious food and great vibes.
The site was first built in 1914 and has a rich history in the region. It officially opened up as 23rd Street Distillery in 2016 and its visitor centre takes advantage of the buildings grand scale with high ceilings, vast timber beams and stylish furniture, with lush lawns for outside enjoyment.
It felt like a rite of passage to stop there as its Signature Gin makes a regular appearance in my cocktail glass every Friday night after work. I decided to colour outside of the lines and try their 3 new spirits in the Sweet & Spiced tasting tray; the Australia Pomegranate Vodka, the Tropical Gin and the Quattro Juniper Gin.
“We’re really proud of what we do here. We’re really a team that innovates with our products,” Distiller Paul Burnett tells me.
Paul took me on a tour of the century old site where I learnt about the art of distillation through the Customs House, the Still Tower and Barrel Warehouse. I also did a gin blending masterclass where I learnt about the balance of botanicals & history of gin to create my own 200ml signature gin to take home and enjoy. They’re both tours which you can book!
Find out more information about 23rd Street Distillery here.
Luxury Pike River Villas accomodation – Lyrup
If you want luxury, here it is. As we made our way up the dirt road to the Luxury Pike River Villas, we could have never guessed how special they would be. The fully self-contained villas sit upon 15 acres of prime riverfront land in the proposed National Tourism Landscape region of South Australia.
With direct access to the Pike and offering majestic views of both the Murray and Pike River, the villas provide the perfect place to hide away or to spend time exploring this magnificent region by water, road or air.
The 3 villas are perfect for couples getaways, but they also have accomodation which can suit groups of up to 4 people.
Another great drawcard of the villas is the fact that Pike River has opened their Riverland Wine Centre, right next door. The centre highlights 23 Riverland wines, and promotes local producers.
We stayed in the Stone Villa which sits cuddled in the valley below the Solar Farm and features an open wood fire and a sunken deck spa outside. It truely makes you feel like you’re amongst the fresh air and stunning surrounds from within four walls.
Find out more about the Pike River Villas here.
Canoe Adventures Riverland guided kayak tour- Berri
If you want picturesque views, you’ll get them gliding along the river! The Canoe Adventures Riverland sunset tour made me feel like I was in a movie, with incredible views and colours that coated the sky and cliff faces we passed by.
The tour started from Lock Four and we paddled through to the enchanting Ajax Achilles wetlands, home to kangaroos, pelicans, cormorants, whistling kites and many other native birds. After a magnificent time paddling at our own pace up-stream, we stopped for a cuppa to enjoy the sunset lighting up the magnificent Bookpurnong Cliffs.
After dark we set out onto the still waters of Gurra Gurra Creek, where we drifted along enjoying the stars and water reflections, and used our head-torches to spot the possums that come out at twilight.
Find out more information about Canoe Adventures Riverland here.
Day 3
Arrosto Coffee – Renmark
We stopped in at Arrosto Coffee before making the trek back to Adelaide. The cute little cafe is situated in the old Renmark Fire station.
Decommissioned in the late 90s, Arrosto coffee founders Callum and Lauren Benda purchased the property from the South Australian Government at auction and established their coffee roastery on site in 2011.
It’s such a vibrant cafe which is quite busy but still feels quaint and calm. There’s a fantastic area out the back to sit and enjoy your coffee or a sweet treat – I will highly recommend the almond meal cake.
Looking for the best way to use your River Revival Voucher and to start planning your trip? Head here to learn more about the experiences and accommodation on offer – including the places in this guide!
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