The Riverland is one of those places where once you go once, you’re hooked. The stunning landscape – mixed in with towering cliffs and great people – makes it a fantastic place to visit all year round.
The River Murray spans 2508 kms long, worming its way through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Almost 2000 km is navigable, making it the third longest navigable river on the planet, with only the Amazon and Nile rivers ahead of it.
Following the once-in-a-century flooding event across the Murray River last year, a $4.6 million river tourism recovery plan was devised. The Government will hand out over 25,000 vouchers over three rounds this year so people get the chance to head there and experience the flourishing region first-hand.
When Glam Adelaide found out Juggle House Experiences’ Murray River Highlights Tour was a part of the River Revival scheme, we jumped at the chance to discover the beauty of Australia’s longest river. Here’s what happens when you go on a day-tour with such a fantastic company.
As we drove to Mannum for the day tour, which was only 85km east of Adelaide and an easy 75 minute drive from the city, we prepared ourself for the beauty of the quintessentially South Australian landscape which we experienced tenfold when we arrived in the Riverland.
Once we reached the 130 million-year playground, we got a sense of how grand it really is – particularly for me as someone who has only been to the region a handful of times.
When we met owner and operator of the Juggle House Experience tours, Kelly, we immediately sensed her laid-back country nature, mixed in with her professionalism. It’s seen her in the tourism industry for over 20 years, 5 of those at her current business.
“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 me.
Kelly is a passionate local who thrives off showcasing the region which she grew up in to visitors from all around the world. She’s been Deputy Mayor of the Mid Murray Council, a board member of the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance, and is currently a founder and secretary of Progression Association.
“I love seeing people’s reaction to the raw and authentic place it is here. Each time we’re amongst nature it’s not contrived, it’s so real,” Kelly says.
“We take pride in meaningful travel, and I think that’s what people are looking for.”
Our small and intimate group of 8 made our way onto the entertainer limo (which is like a bus on the outside but a luxurious Mercedes limousine decked out with champagne and tv screens inside) which took us to our Four Knots tour boat.
Along the way we passed through numerous towns, like Young Husband (which unfortunately didn’t provide what the name suggests), where we really saw the devastation that swept through earlier in the year.
“No other limousine driver would be driving on dirt tracks my friends,” Kelly laughs.
Once on the boat with Captain Les for our hour scenic cruise, everyone relaxed and soaked up the serenity. We really started to grasp the vastness of the river from the stunning caramel limestone cliffs that teamed over us.
Throughout the tour we stoped at Bowhill General Store (for scones the size of your fist) and Swan Reach Hotel for food and also numerous lookouts.
One of them faced the Big Bend Cliffs which are a natural wonder that must be seen to be believed. The cliffs are known as the tallest cliffs and the longest single bend along the entire length of the Murray River. They literally take your breath away.
It was from a different vantage point than usual due to the floods blocking off numerous roads in the area.
“A lot of tourism operators have had to be creative to still remain viable and thriving since the floods,” passenger Bill Nehmy, who’s the Murray River tourism development manager, says.
That creativity also extended to the Naught Naught Conservation Park stop. Instead of heading to one of the State’s most significant Aboriginal cultural sites where the Nganguraku people have lived in the Devon Downs (Ngaut Ngaut) rock shelter for at least 5000 years, we went to the top of the cliff instead.
Ivy Campbell who is a part of the Nganguraku River Tribe (and is hilariously funny) shared with us the birthplace of the ‘Black Duck Dreaming’ along with important artefacts, excavation and cultural sites on top of the cliffs looking down towards the river. It was an extremely spiritual and moving part of the trip to round out a fantastic day.
“The river is our bloodstream, to actually get the real feeling you need to close your eyes and listen – if you look after land and country it will look after you,” Ivy says.
On the way back to Mannum, Kelly points out the stop where she also takes tours for a stargazing delight. That area along the River Murray is actually declared as a Dark Sky Reserve with recent measurements from the International Dark Sky Reserve sitting at 21.97 – darker than many other accredited regions across the globe.
Stretching 2,300 square kms, the reserve is the only one in Australia and one of only 15 in the world.
“The telescopes are amazing to see in real life. Here Saturn looks like someone has slotted in a postcard but it’s real, plus at times you can see the milky way, the jewel box and the stars are incredible,” Kelly says.
The tour with Juggle House Experiences lets you sit back, relax and really feel how vast and beautiful Australia’s longest river really is. It’s a fantastic tour if you want to put your feet up and enjoy the best of what the Riverland has to offer.
You can find out more about the sensational tour here, or find out more about the River Revival Vouchers and plan out your trip here.
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