Murray River Walk

  • Immerse yourself in four easy days hiking our greatest river
  • Explore a river that brings life to the outback
  • Rejuvenate each night on a luxurious houseboat with top deck spa and swim deck
  • Connect to the river through the stories of your friendly guides
  • Encounter the diverse birdlife and kangaroos along your journey
  • Savour chef designed meals paired with fabulous local wines
  • Capture the amazing sunrise and sunset reflections
  • Cruise spectacular river reaches and a river lock
  • Share stories with old and new friends around a campfire
  • Experience the dark sky stars from your bedroom window
Location Renmark, South Australia
Dates May-September
Duration 4 days 3 nights
Daily Distance 12-14 km
Total Distance 40 km
Grade Easy, relaxed pace
Accommodation Luxury houseboat
Meals Fully catered
From $3,300 pp twin share, single supplement available
Can accommodate non-walking guests
It was all amazing but my favourite part was our sunrise walk and all standing together as the sun came up with a hot cuppa. Everything about this experience was world class. Our talks were so informative, the food was out of this world and our guides are three beautiful people.
Lynne, TAS

Itinerary

Day 1: Renmark to Headings Cliffs
12km walking
12km river cruising

Meet your guides at 8.00 am at the Hotel Renmark’s function room for a pre-walk briefing before we board the pontoon “cruiser” boat for a 14 km cruise along the Murray River to the start of the walking route.

Discover the lagoons that are havens for waterbirds, learn about the site of a World War II Japanese internment camp and cross creeks that feed the red gum forests and box woodlands. A gentle climb through the cliffs reveals a magnificent view of the vast Murray River floodplain that will surround you over the next 3 days. A short transfer across the river in the cruiser and you have arrived at your destination.

Your Boat Host will welcome you aboard the houseboat where you can settle in – before a cooling foot dip in the river or a hot spa followed by a 3-course dinner paired with local wines.

Day 2: Headings Cliffs to Chowilla Creek
14km walking
10km cruising

Rise before the sun and walk a gentle slope to the rim of the Murray River valley for a spectacular sunrise. See colours appear and marvel at the journey route below before returning to the houseboat for a cooked breakfast. Depart again for the daily walk discovering Aboriginal canoe trees, giant red gum forests and small islands along leafy Amazon Creek.

Arriving at your floating home you’ll enjoy a local tasting plate as you dip your feet in the cool waters of the Murray River.

Day 3: Chowilla Creek to Bunyip Reach Cliffs
10km walking
18km cruising

Awake to the mists on the water and enjoy a great coffee, local navel oranges and tasty breakfast followed by a briefing on the Murray Darling Basin and the management of its network of rivers which drain 14% of Australia. Today we cruise to the Chowilla Creek Environmental Regulator to learn about environmental watering and new stewardship for the river, before setting off on our walk.

You’ll walk along Chowilla Creek, restored wetlands and visit the proposed site of the 1960’s Chowilla Dam.

In the afternoon we celebrate completing our walking journey from Queens Bend Cliffs before cruising to the houseboat as the late afternoon sun illuminates the red cliffs.

Day 4: Bunyip Reach to Renmark
Optional 2km walk
23km cruise

After breakfast take a self-guided 2 km walk along the river, before cruising in the pontoon boat through Lock 6. Experience a gentle drop in the water level of 3 metres.

Rejoining the houseboat downstream, you will cruise for 2 hours on the houseboat to the innovative Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery, set in a 100 year old shearing shed on the banks of the river.

Enjoy lunch on the Woolshed decking that overlooks the river. A fine barbecue has been prepared by your guides before saying your farewells.

You will depart for Renmark by bus and arrive at the Hotel Renmark at 2.00 pm.

Houseboat Accommodation

The houseboat is your floating accommodation which moves each day to your daily destination. The view from your bedroom window brings new sights each day. In the evenings, relax in the houseboat lounge or upper deck and share stories with your fellow travelers as your guides prepare a superb three course meal.

In 2022 Murray River Trails launched it's very first custom-built houseboat "High River" to service all tours, the boat features en-suite bathrooms and has brought a new level of comfort to our guided tours.

Read more about High River here.

Eco-conscious comfort

Operating in such a delicate environment, houseboats are the perfect accommodation for maintaining a low impact on the river system that we are passionate about conserving. Our ‘leave no trace’ approach includes no built infrastructure on the riverbanks and removing all waste for recycling or disposal.

Our houseboat ‘High River’ features 52 solar panels providing quiet efficient energy.

Bathroom Information on our Two Houseboat Options

  • Tours that depart on MONDAYS are on board our houseboat that have ensuite bathrooms. You will only share this bathroom with the guest you are sharing your cabin with.
  • Tours that depart on TUESDAYS are on board our second houseboat that has TWO SHARED bathrooms. You will share these bathrooms with other guests and guides on your tour.

Ready to book?

From AUD$2,800 per person twin share
From AUD$4,200 per person in non-shared room
Monday tours are onboard a houseboat with ensuite rooms AU$3,300 per person twin share
Tuesday tours are onboard a houseboat with shared bathrooms AU$2,800 per person twin share
MRWalk WHITE INVERTED

2024

April
Monday April 22
Monday April 29
May
Monday May 6
Monday May 13
Monday May 20
Monday May 27
June
Monday June 3
Monday June 10

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday June 17

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday June 24

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

July
Monday July 1

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday July 8
Monday July 15
Monday July 22

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday July 29

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

August
Monday August 5

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday August 12

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday August 19
Monday August 26

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

September
Monday September 2
Monday September 9
Monday September 16
Monday September 23

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

2025

April
Monday April 28

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

May
Monday May 5

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday May 12

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday May 19

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday May 26

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

June
Monday June 2

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday June 9

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday June 16

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday June 23

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday June 30

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

July
Monday July 7

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday July 14

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday July 21

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday July 28

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

August
Monday August 4

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday August 11

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday August 18

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday August 25

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

September
Monday September 1

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday September 8

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday September 15

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Monday September 22

Murray River Walk - 4 days 3 nights

Frequently Asked Questions

Which departure day should I book if I want an ensuite bathroom?

Our Murray River Walk tours that depart on MONDAYS are on board our houseboat that have ensuite bathrooms. You will only share this bathroom with the guest you are sharing your cabin with.

Our Murray River Walk tours that depart on TUESDAYS are on board our second houseboat that has TWO SHARED bathrooms. You will share these bathrooms with other guests and guides on your tour.

Please choose your tour departure day carefully as we may not be able to swap you to a different tour at late notice.

Are your tours wheelchair accessible?

Please contact our Reservations Team to discuss your special needs.

The walking routes, houseboats and vehicles are not suitable for wheelchair access.

However, we can make accommodations for guests who can walk, but with low mobility. These guests can skip the walking route and remain on the houseboat while the group go out walking.

Do I need Travel Insurance?

At the time of booking a tour, consider an appropriate level of travel insurance that includes COVID-19 cover. Please read the PDS and check the policy is right for you before making a purchase. Murray River Trails will not be held liable for any additional costs involved or for a partial refund of the tour costs if the tour is aborted or stopped by circumstances outside of our control.

What are the Great Walks of Australia?

The Great Walks of Australia are an exclusive collection of the best multi-day walking experiences in Australia. Each walk is an independently owned guided walking experience that enables access to some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes.

All of the Great Walks of Australia can be viewed on their website. To qualify as a great walk we provide exceptional guided walking experiences in high-value natural areas for small groups (in our case maximum 10 people). These experiences include outstanding accommodation, food & wine.

Can you cater to special dietary requirements?

We cater for special dietary requirements — we just need to know in advance. Your guides prepare nourishing three-course meals each night that showcase local produce paired with local wine. A range of beverages are available including juice, cordial, beer and wine, tea and coffee. We also provide milk (dairy) and almond milk (non-dairy).

Is the walking hard?

Murray River Walk is relatively flat and rated as easy to moderate. Daily distances are 10 to 14 km with a total of 40 km over 3 days. There are 2 gentle ascents and descents up and down a 40 metre cliff face. We stop along the way for morning tea and lunch, walking for up to 6 hours per day.

Our walking pace is moderate and designed to allow you to enjoy the diverse river landscapes, wildlife and the people you are walking with. There’s plenty of time to take photos and savour the view.

What is a ‘pontoon cruiser’ boat?

The cruiser is a comfortable 12 seater “open air” pontoon style boat like a mobile couch on water. It is a stable, secure and quiet craft, navigated expertly by your guide along the mighty Murray River. The pontoon boat transfers you between the daily walking route and the houseboat and is a great way to see wildlife on the river and in the creeks.

Do you supply walking poles?

Yes, up to two walking poles are available to guests.

What clothing should I pack?

We recommend packing warm clothing that can be layered and a windproof jacket along with a beanie, scarf and gloves for extra comfort. Also pack a sun hat.

What is the weather like?

Our tours operate in the cooler months between May and September where conditions make for comfortable walking. Calm, sunny days are typical during these cooler months, but make sure you pack a windproof coat for travelling in the open-air pontoon cruiser.

The average daily maximum temperatures (degrees Celsius) are as follows: May 20°C, June 17°C, July 17°C, August 18°C, September 21°C.

What type of shoes should I wear?

We recommend you wear lace-up hiking shoes or boots that have sturdy, treaded soles for daily activities and comfortable shoes for nightly wear on the houseboat. Do not bring sneakers for walking.

What do I carry each day?

We provide you with a lightweight 34 litre daypack to carry your lunch, a 1 litre water bottle, snacks, warm layers and other personal items. Your loaded pack will weigh between 3 to 5 kg depending on additional items you choose to pack.

How many guides are there?

Three passionate guides will accompany you – they know about the landscape and its stories and they are fantastic cooks. Two of these knowledgeable guides accompany you each walking day while the third guide will remain on the houseboat, preparing meals for when you return in the evening.

How many guests will be on my trip?

Murray River Walk tours are intimate with a walking group of up to 10 people. The small group size ensures a peaceful experience with easy access to guides who impart knowledge and interpretation of the landscape.

Where do tours depart from?

Our journeys depart from Renmark in the Riverland of South Australia. Tours depart on Mondays and Tuesdays from May through to September.

Check out our other tours