by Sarah Halfpenny
If you don’t fancy sand in your bathers and all over your car, perhaps a riverside holiday is more your destination! Here are some of Australia’s finest…
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Echuca Moama, Victoria
Settled on the banks of the Murray River, these twin towns are known as Australia’s paddle steamer capital. Enjoy the warm weather – go fishing, swimming, cycling, paddle a canoe or take a river cruise. Explore the magnificent red gum forests, wine regions and the silo art trail. Spot the locations made famous by the popular 1983 TV miniseries, ‘All the Rivers Run’.
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Margaret River, Western Australia
Best known for producing some of Australia’s most awarded wines and beautiful vineyards, Margaret River also boasts stunning forest and bush walks, delicious local produce, and the gorgeous coastline that draws world-class surfers and whale watchers annually.
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Corowa, New South Wales
With a diverse landscape – the iconic river, open plains, lakes and big skies above – there’s plenty to do for anyone who loves the great outdoors. Set up camp on the water’s edge, try your luck at fishing, take a long walk while you golf or discover attractions like the Shearing the Rams Trail and Corowa Whisky and Chocolate.
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Richmond, Tasmania
In the heart of the Coal River Valley, Richmond is famous for its Georgian architecture, with many heritage buildings dating back to the 1820s and now housing antique shops, galleries, tea shops and museums. The fertile soil in the area has established the region as a premium destination for food and wine tourism.
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Maryborough, Queensland
Once one of Australia’s largest ports, Maryborough is now home to striking art (make sure to follow the mural trail), museums and memorials that tell its history in fascinating detail and picturesque riverside picnic spots. There’s even a statue of Mary Poppins next to the bank building where her creator, the author Pamela Lyndon Travers, was born in 1889.
