on and off the river
Explore Murray Bridge, a picturesque and bustling rural city on the banks of the Murray River, and less than one hour (80km east) from Adelaide South Australia.
Murray Bridge is at the heart of South Australia’s breathtaking Murray, River, Lakes and Coorong region, famous for its wild lagoons, riverside cliffs, giant red gums, diverse wildlife, and fantastic produce.
Relax and float away on a leisurely paddleboat or canoe, or enjoy the action of river wakeboarding, water skiing, swimming, or fishing. If sports is your passion, check out the thrilling Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend, the horse racing action at Murray Bridge Racecourse or the need for speed at the Murray Bridge Speedway.
Just a short drive from Murray Bridge, at Monarto Safari Park, you can embark on an African safari and get up close and personal with lions, giraffes, and rhinoceros.
Come nightfall, you can look to the skies in awe, with Murray Bridge one of the best locations in South Australia to explore the cosmos.
A full visitor guide, detailing things to do, attractions, tours and more, can be found on the Murray, River, Lakes & Coorong Tourism Website at The Murray River.com
Monarto Safari Park
sky diving
Monarto Safari Park is a 1500 hectare open-range zoo home to more than 50 species of animals. Exotic creatures as well as native Australian birds and reptiles are found here. Meanwhile, lions, giraffes and other African animals enjoy the warm South Australian climate. You might be interested to know, that if you patched together all of Australia’s zoos and laid it over Monarto, you’d still have land left over. This place is huge and without a doubt one of the best things to do in Murray Bridge.
Over the years, Monarto Safari Park has been praised for its wonderful breeding success, with the latest addition being a rhino, born mid 2020. Take a bus through the open-range exhibits, or opt to walk some of the walking tracks. Either way, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a day out here.
SA Skydiving based in Adelaide, South Australia, is the ultimate destination for skydiving enthusiasts. As the leading skydiving school in Adelaide, they offer exhilarating tandem skydiving experiences over breathtaking locations throughout the year. Additionally, you could also take a comprehensive solo skydiving course, ensuring you can take to the skies with confidence. Operating as a locally owned family business since 1989, they take great pride in delivering unforgettable experiences. The passionate team invites you to join them in our exhilarating playground, where the thrill of freefall and the tranquility of parachute flight defy words.
The Bend Motor Sport Park
Golf
The Bend Motorsport Park is an award winning motorsport facility which opened in 2018 in nearby Tailem Bend. The unique and world-class facility offers: circuit racing, a purpose-built drift circuit, a karting circuit, a rally-cross circuit, a driver training facility, a 4WD adventure park and a rally/off-road facility. Those visiting the area who have a need for speed can drive around the tracks by paying for a once in a lifetime experience. For more information, click here!
hiking
During a weekend getaway to Murray Bridge, a round of golf offers a fantastic way to soak up the luscious scenery and to simply relax. Surrounded by lofty gum trees, Murray Bridge Golf Club’s sweeping lawns set the scene for a calm afternoon under the Murraylands sun. This popular golf course is one of the best in South Australia and boasts around 500 local and non local members. The 18 holes here will keep you occupied for hours.
Dark Sky's tour
Part of any relaxing weekend escape from Adelaide will likely involve either a quick stroll or an adventurous hike through South Australia’s natural landscapes. Murray Bridge is no exception, and you’ll find plenty of options for families as well as adventure seeking couples. The Lavender Federation Trail is a long distance trail which extends all the way to Clare. Whilst you might not be able to fit the whole 325km into your weekend getaway, you might like to take to the trail for a day and explore the surrounding countryside. This extensive hiking trail begins at the beautiful Sturt Reserve, and from here you’ll wind through wetland systems, across the banks of the Murray, past historic buildings and through the Rocky Gully Reserve.
Alternatively, at Kinchina Conservation Park, a handful of shorter hikes are perfect for families. A 2.5km loop here is ideal for a breath of fresh air. For more local walks and hikes in the region, including the Coorong please click here.
In one of the darkest places on earth, Australia's very first accredited International Dark Sky Reserve tour introduces you to the stars of the region – guides of the night sky, the native wildlife and very interesting locals.
Recordings of the darkness measure at 21.97 on a scale of 0 to 22. About 200-300 stars can typically be seen in Southern Hemisphere urban areas, whereas it's an estimated 5000 from your tour site, including a better view of the centre of the galaxy (the Milky Way)!
The Gold Stars Sunset Dinner Tour includes:
Use of provided powerful telescope and red torch lights to view stars, constellations, planets, clusters and galaxies.
Guided tips with an astronomer using a laser pointer in a private location, to help you connect to the night sky with awe inspiring views.
Murray River Boat Eco Cruise
Main meal at Pretoria Hotel or Mannum Club with sweeping views of the Murray River.
Luxury return travel in small group tour vehicle/s from Mannum to the Dark Sky Reserve with expert local commentary.
