Overland Corner Hotel
In these parts, minutes, hours, days and weeks pass gently. Alarm clocks are replaced by kookaburras and magpies warbling their songs at dawn, and the only traffic you’ll see is a mob of kangaroos feeding on the riverbank at dusk. Hustle and bustle fades away, until all you’re left with is the quiet moments in-between — like the sound of water lapping against your kayak as you paddle downstream, the sight of river cliffs glowing softly at sunset, and the heady scent of eucalyptus permeating your dreams. Here, all life centres around the ancient Murray River, which flows for 400 kilometres through country South Australia and eventually to the Southern Ocean, feeding the fruit orchards, nut groves, vineyards and farmlands of the bountiful Riverland. Experience all that this vast country has to offer, with our four-day Adelaide to the Riverland itinerary.
Travel note
You can also complete this itinerary in reverse — choose-your-own-adventure style. Want to leave dry land behind and travel via boat? Check out our Riverland houseboat itinerary.
Located just under three hours from Adelaide, Loxton’s quiet streets and riverside views are the perfect home base for day one of exploring the Riverland.
Day dawns on the Murray River and light creeps through the windows of the Murray River Queen — your floating hotel for the night. This iconic piece of Riverland history once ferried passengers up and down the river, but today the paddle boat welcomes guests from its permanent mooring in Loxton. Nearby, find family-friendly accommodation at Big 4 Loxton Riverfront Holiday Park, country hospitality at the Loxton Hotel, and an overnight stay on the green at Par Five Shacks in Berri.
Make for the Swan Reach Hotel, affectionately known to locals as “the Swanny,” for a pub lunch and panoramic views of the river below. See one of the Murray River’s most famous sights with a stop at Big Bend Lookout, then head to Salena Estate for an afternoon spent sipping and savouring organic wines.
Get your caffeine fix at the Rusty Spoon Café or Coffee at 96, and dig into hearty pub fare at the Swan Reach Hotel or Loxton Hotel.
In the heart of the Riverland, Renmark is a culinary hub and gateway to some of the region’s most spectacular wetlands and landscapes.
Rest in a clifftop cottage at The River Vista, near a secluded lagoon at The River Block, or in art deco accommodation at the Renmark Hotel. Check into Pike River Villas for total privacy amongst the bush, or indulge in a luxury retreat at The Frames.
Hire a kayak or canoe and spend the morning paddling along the Murray River. Lose yourself in the sounds of native birdlife and the sight of towering gum trees lining the riverbank, then drive to Paringa to see the Riverland’s history reflected in vast murals painted on the town’s silos. Finally, stop off at the Riverland Wine Centre to taste drops from 25 of the region’s wineries.
When it comes to drinking and dining, Renmark knows how to put on a spread. Visit the birthplace of one of South Australia’s most iconic gin brands at Twenty Third Street Distillery, experience Greek hospitality at Mallee Estate, share a pint and cheese platter at the Woolshed Brewery, and dig into belly-warming pub fare at Nanya or Renmark Club.
An hour west of Renmark, Waikerie is a small town with a big legacy: this farming hub produces most of the state’s fruit. Sample the local produce and settle in for an unhurried stay amongst the bushland.
Book a cabin or campsite at Big 4 Echo Holiday Parks – Waikerie, or stay on a working vineyard at Whistling Kite Cottage. Head out of town to sleep amongst nature at Scotts Creek Eco Suites or Parkoola Retreat, or grab your golfing buddies and check into The Villas at Waikerie Golf Course.
Snap a photo at the Big Orange in Berri, then cool down with a swim at idyllic Lake Bonney or a stroll around the lake’s edge. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the Overland Corner Hotel and discover a unique piece of the Riverland’s pastoral history. This hotel is the oldest building in the region, and was once the meeting point for drovers crossing the country — today, it maintains its reputation for feeding hungry travellers, serving up lunch, dinner and live music on the weekend.
Waikerie’s food scene is driven by local pride and a close connection between produce and plate. Swap stories and sip pints at the Waikerie Club, or find Birdy’s Bar parked up near the river, serving delicious cocktails from a retro caravan.
Today, your return trip to Adelaide will take you from the floodplains of the Riverland through one of the state’s most famous winemaking regions — the Barossa Valley.
No overnight stay required on your return to Adelaide.
This morning, take in the sights and sounds of the Murray River onboard a tour with Rivergum Cruises. Departing from the Waikerie riverfront, travel to the Yarra Cliffs to see spectacular limestone bluffs and a 200-year-old canoe tree, which once provided local Aboriginal people with the bark for a canoe
From Waikerie, the Barossa Valley is just a 90 minute drive. Stop in at celebrated Mediterranean restaurant, staġuni, to taste seasonal dishes inspired by chef Clare Falzon’s Maltese heritage. Spend the afternoon tasting wine in historic cellar doors, at Yalumba or Seppeltsfield Estate, then continue to Adelaide.
The Riverland has plenty to see and do year-round, but different seasons highlight different experiences. Summer is the best time to visit for watersports and fishing, when water temperatures are at their warmest — although temperatures can regularly exceed 35 degrees at the peak of summer. Autumn is a great time for camping, bushwalking and houseboating, when temperatures are slightly cooler but water temperatures haven’t yet dropped. Winter is the low season in the Riverland, and is the perfect time to savour red wine, cosy up around crackling fireplaces, and taste locally grown citrus fruit. Come spring, wildflowers and orchards bloom and the days start to lengthen — the perfect time for a road trip.
The Riverland is about a two and a half hour drive from Adelaide, making it the perfect destination for a weekend away. If you’re planning on spending time on the water or exploring on foot, allow at least two nights for a return trip, so you can spend as much time as possible outdoors.
The easiest way to get around the Riverland is by self-driving, but there are also tours and transfer services available in the area.
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