In the early days of the colony, this river was a bustling thoroughfare – a highway for trade and commerce. Paddle Steamers ploughed these waters towing barges loaded with grain and wool onward to ports. Riverboats experienced some difficulty navigating the river until huge locks were constructed in the 1920s. The water flow is now managed by 11 locks from Mildura to Goolwa.

Visit historic towns such as Renmark, the first irrigation settlement established in 1887. Dr William Angove opened a distillery here in 1910, and today the Riverland accounts for one third of Australia's grape production.

The region is also renowned for its delicious dried fruit, apples, citrus, stone fruits, almonds, vegetables and olives.

The Murray is haven for native wildlife and cruising the waterways provide some of the best photographic opportunities possible. In addition to birds, mammals and reptiles, there is spectacular riverside scenery, with magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

Best of all the Murray River enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with average temperatures from 16 degrees Celsius (61*F) in mid-winter (July) to 32 degrees Celsius (90*F) in summer (January).