Day By Day
Prepare to camp the first 2 nights, and following that most people that want accommodation should be able to get it, with our group size. If you really dislike camping, a small few could take accommodation the first 2 nights (limited availability).
The details of the main accommodation options along the route, and their contact details will be emailed once you sign-up. We'll also include a list of the main campsites (most with toilets), both free and paid campsites.
The guide book that is provided once you arrive in Mildura contains a day-by-day map of the river, with distances to the river mouth shown every 10km. There are town inset maps on each page, and throughout each day it shows all the places to re-fuel, restock food and alcohol, cafes/pubs, free camp or paid camp/cabin, and the main attractions. Includes opening times for those places where it's important to know. You don't need to plan a thing!
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Note that with all the recommended riverside Caravan Parks except Waikerie, you're effectively mooring your boat within the park grounds (no public access).
2 days prior to boating
Afternoon arrival
Sign-on and and check of Safety Equipment at 'Discovery Parks Mildura - Buronga Riverside'; 12pm-5pm. Included BBQ @ 6pm (BYO alcohol).
Click for NSW Safety Equipment
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1 day prior to boating
Transport day
Launch your boat and tie it up at the caravan park's riverfront. Next drive your car and trailer 315km to the secure parking place in Mannum. Hop on the charter bus @ 2:30pm for the return leg. Dinner in Mildura.
Boats are parked only metres from the riverside campsites and cabins, which is great for security but also for loading of gear.
Rally Day 1
Load your boat and go
First day on the water, with lunch and a fuel top-up in Wentworth. Time available for some tourism in Wentworth. Through Lock 10 and begin what is mostly wilderness for the next 2-3 days. Camp at Fort Courage Caravan park or an earlier sandbar, but for the next 2 days it can be anywhere you like! (VIC side is the Murray Sunset National Park)
Rally Day 2
A day of wilderness
Navigate Locks 9, 8 and 7. A support vehicle will carry fuel for those that can't make the 189km.
Inspect the now-obsolete wood-fired irrigation pump at Cullulleraine.
Boats 5m and under can go up the Rufus River to view Lake Victoria, near Lock 7.
Camp on one of the many sandbars after Lock 7. Today is the day that everyone must camp.
Marvel at the unique cliffs of Devil’s Elbow.
Rally Day 3
Wilderness through to civilization
Through Lock 6 and enjoy a cold beer at the riverside Woolshed Brewery.
Free camp prior to Renmark, or stay overnight in one of Renmark's riverside caravan parks.
Note that free camping is possible before and after town, and every night until Mannum.
Rally Day 4
Restock
Short day today, and good places to restock food and fuel.
Cruise through Lock 5 with a break in Berri at the riverside café, or Patisserie. Through Lock 4 and visit the Loxton Historical Village or visit the Tree of Knowledge (river heights). Free camp prior to Loxton, or overnight at the riverside caravan park in Loxton.​
Rally Day 5
The cliffs begin to grow
Through Lock 3 before stopping for lunch and cold beer at the historic Overland Corner Hotel (built 1856). If you drink too many you can camp, but then you need to do 176km the next day!
Main group stays prior to Waikerie, or in Waikerie, atlhough if you want a cabin/room you can push on to Morgan. Throughout the day be captivated by the growing cliffs, and the birds that call them home.
Rally Day 6
Settled into the rhythm..
Through Lock 2 and explore Morgan town or museum, with lunch at one of the pubs or bakery.
Lunch also available at Blanchetown pub, and through the final Lock of the voyage.
Tonight you'll have a great view of the sunset from high on the bank at the Swan Reach Pub. Free camp on the opposite bank or take accommodation at the pub or nearby caravan park.
Rally Day 7
Final Day
Final day past the biggest cliffs of the Murray River at Big Bend, with lunch at Bowhill General Store (cafe) before feeling a sense of achievement with your arrival in Mannum. 🎉
We'll ferry you to your car and trailer. Those that need to start the journey home immediately are fine to do so, it's possible to be on the road soon after lunch.
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6pm: Wrap-up/awards at the Pretoria Hotel.
