Recommended duration: 4 days
Route: Melbourne-Albury/Wodonga-Echuca-Swan Hill-Mildura
Highlights: Rutherglen Wine Region, Historic Port of Echuca, Barmah State Park, Murray-Sunset National Park, Mungo National Park.
Experience the Mighty Murray River, one of the Worlds if not Australia’s greatest rivers. Follow it from the Mountains of the Great Dividing Range from the North-East Tip of Victoria, to desert country and open plains of South Australia.
Along your way- you must sample local food and produce and experience the aboriginal culture and history.
DAY 1: MELBOURNE to ALBURY/WODONGA
Approximately: 325km (3 hours, 20 mins)
Picking up your hire car from Melbourne, we travel north along the Hume Highway, we will travel back in time, to visit the towns made famous by Ned Kelly. Our first stop Benalla, about 2 ½ hour’s drive north of Melbourne.
Starting in Benalla, a must see is the plaque on Arundel Street that describes how young Ned Kelly was charged with drunkenness and riding his horse on the footpath. Eventually he surrender to police and was marched across to the Benalla Courthouse, which they still use today.
Visit the Benalla Regional Art Gallery to see Glenrowan, the Sidney Nolan tapestry depicting the Ke
lly Gang’s capture, and Albert Tucker’s painting depicting Joe Byrne’s body which was tied up for the press to photograph after his death.
Take a walk across the Broken River Bridge to the Costume and Pioneer Museum, where you can stand in the portable sell that once held Ned Kelly.
After spending time exploring Benalla, now time to jump back in the car and travel about 30 mins north to Glenrowan, the infamous town where Ned Kelly was captured. Glenrowan is the focal point for anyone interested in the Bushrangers and the Kelly legend. In 1880, Ned Kelly was captured at the Glenrowan Inn after a bloody battle, which brought his bushranger days to an end. If you have time, visit Kate’s Cottage museum and the multi-media display Kellyland which tells the story of Ned’s life and battles.
The historical aspect of Kelly Gang left behind; we head to the Australia’s busiest national transport corridor, Albury/Wodonga which is also usually used as a stopover for a drive between Melbourne and Sydney.
With Australia’s longest river running through the heart of Albury/Wodonga, you’d expect to find idyllic river walks and parks. What you might not expect is a pub inspired by a cartoonist, an army museum with a huge collection of military memorabilia and a former migrant reception centre which helped change the face of Australia.
The twin cities sit on the banks of the Murray River, its blends city style with country pace, history with contemporary attractions, arts with adventure and much more. Wodonga is popular with tourist for water sport activities such as water skiing.
Whilst in Albury/Wodonga make sure you check out a couple of sites around town. The Albury Botanical gardens impressive collection of both native and exotic plant collection, the Regional Art Gallery which houses the Russell Drysdale collection, par take in the historical heritage walk around town.
Finally you cannot go to Albury/Wodonga without visiting to the Ettamogah Pub, located 10km north of Albury it is a must see- unusual pub is an adaptation of one created in a cartoon series by the late Ken Maynard which appeared weekly in the (also late) Australian Post magazine.
Accommodation Recommendations:
Quality Resort Siesta located in Albury, is a charming family-owned hideaway that combines quality service and superior facilities with country hospitality – and more than just a little touch of colourful Mexico. With a deluxe lagoon pool, spa, sauna, tennis, and mini-golf, and wining and dining at the Cactus Cantina Bistro or the celebrated Bullring Bar and Restaurant, there’s something for everyone.
DAY 2: ALBURY/WODONGA to ECHUCA/MOAMA
Approximately: 235km (3 hours, 20 mins)
Ready for more exploring?
After packing up your belongings we start to head West on our way to Echuca/Moama.
Approximately 40 minutes west of Albury is our first stop, where we will embark on the famous Wine Centre of Rutherglen. The best place to start is at The Rutherglen Wine Experience Visitor Information Centre which has been established by the winemakers and businesses of Rutherglen and the Indigo Shire, to enable you to get the most from your visit.
Rutherglen makes crisp, modern style whites, robust red wines and is most famous for its muscats and tokays. The Wine Experience Centre allows you to sample wines produced by some of the leading wineries, including All Saints Estate, Brown Brothers and Gehrig Estate.
Our region is not just about food and wine. It is steeped in history, its fabric shaped by gold miners, boom, bust, generations of farmers, shopkeepers, sportsmen, churchmen and the mighty Murray. There are old mine sites, grand old homesteads, idyllic farmscapes, classic shopfronts, footy grounds, some of Australia’s best golf courses and lawn tennis courts, grand old churches and convents, sandy beaches and shady billabongs
After taking in the sites and surrounds of Rutherglen, we head off to Yarrawonga/Lake Mulwala approximately 45mins drive from Rutherglen. Yarrawonga-Mulwala is also good for fishing for Murray Cod, playing a round of golf at the largest public access golf course in Australia, water skiing on the lake. Lake Mulawa is renowned for its wonderful climate, this picturesque piece of regional Victoria and New South Wales is an “Inland Aquatic Paradise” for visitors to take some time to enjoy some stunning scenery, lose yourself in the serene surrounds of the forest, Lake Mulwala and of course the mighty Murray River. It’s an ideal location to site by the Lake, take in the scenery and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading off again.
All aboard, heading off on our final journey and resting place for the night Echuca/Moama. This is the longest part the drive for today, and after feeling refreshed from lunch, it is now a 2 hour (150km) drive to Echuca/Moama.
Echuca is home to the world’s largest fleet of operating paddle steamers, that steam along the Murray 
River and berth at the Historical Port of Echuca.
Enjoy a one hour cruise on the PS Pevensey, star of the Australian mini series All the Rivers Run filmed at the Port of Echuca, or the PS Alexander Arbuthnot built in 1923. Follow the Wharf Walk or join the guided tour and discover how the Port of Echuca became Australia’s largest inland port in the late 1800’s with up to 240 paddlesteamers being cleared from the wharf on an annual basis.
PS Pevensey (built 1911) or PS Alexander Arbuthnot (built 1923) depart Echuca Wharf daily at 10.15am, 11.30am, 1.15pm & 2.30pm.
After a busy day exploring – it is time for a dinner. Question is Laid Back and semi casual, or La Carte. The choice is yours. Oscar W’s Wharfside (La Carte dining) is an award winning restaurant that was established in 1997, with the intention of providing a unique dining experience, focusing on regional, seasonal and contemporary cuisine.
For a casual dining approach visit Echuca-Moama’s favourite spot for lunch and dinner, Moama Bowling Club, where everyone feels at home and relaxed at the prospect of great food at great prices and prompt service. The Bistro has recently been refurbished and is a fabulous place for dining, featuring wide variety of traditional favourites through to stir-frys, seafood, pasta and risotto.
Accommodation Recommendations: Madison Spa Resort , a tranquil retreat to rest the body, mind and soul sits peacefully among the majestic trees, combining with nature. An invigorating mineral spa pool, a tranquil relaxation pool and a steam room offer a truly unique experience for that weekend away or long overdue holiday.
The resort is surrounded by 50 acres of red gum forest that leads to the Murray River, perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll or nature walk. Bikes are available for hire. On warm days, cool down in the landscaped lap pool, unwind in the indoor spa or relax by the cascading waterfall.
Day 3- ECHUCA/MOAMA to SWAN HILL
Approximately: 165km (2 hours, 30 mins)
For those excited by cars or even if you are a TRUE BLUE AUSSIE visiting Echuca 
you shouldn’t go past visiting the NATIONAL HOLDEN MOTOR MUSEUM. The Holden Museum in Echuca is dedicated to preserving the models and their memories. Take a walk down memory lane and through the history of a company that put our nation on wheels. Echuca if fortunate to have the Nation’s largest collections of Holden’s, making this private Museum the largest one brand car Museum in Australia. See over 40 vehicles, including rare prototypes, historic film footage, and photographic exhibition.
Heading half an hour west from Echuca you will reach the Barmah State Forest; the Barmah Wetlands is the biggest stand of river red gum on earth. Home to that Yorta Yorta people, this area is also a haven for birds and native animals. The area is definitely worth exploring, so whether it is via car, on a cruise boat, on foot.
Heading North West, we now embark on the greatest part of our journey, driving onto Swan Hill. On reaching Swan Hill you will notice a town rich in colonial history. In Swan Hill check out the Pioneer Settlement, it is a recreation of a port town, whilst at the settlement sit in the delightful tearooms and listen to the sounds from the music shop Pianola blend with the horse’s hooves and laughter of visitors enjoying free horse and cart rides.
Free vintage car rides are also available, proving a popular way for visitors to absorb the sights offered. Add to your visit a cruise aboard the PS Pyap, dressing up in costume, a walk on Pental Island, a chat with Uncle Bruce about local indigenous culture, and a Sound and Light show at night.
After checking out the Pioneer Settlement, it’s time to head to your hotel for a relaxing and restful night in. For the night in Swan Hill we recommend staying at the Comfort Inn Campbell.
Accommodation Recommendations: Stay at the award winning Comfort Inn Campbell . Winner of the
HMAA MOST IMPROVED MOTEL 2008 with its newly renovated room’s offers Swan Hill’s newest 4 star accommodation, with all the quality facilities expected of a 4 star motel by today’s discerning traveller.
Enjoy a meal and a glass of wine from one of the Murray River’s boutique wineries in our refurbished and fully licensed restaurant “Peppercorn on Campbell”, where all meals are fully prepared in house.
Day 4- SWAN HILL to MILDURA
Approximately: 250km (2 hours, 50 mins)
Feeling rested and relaxed, and after having a delicious breakfast you are ready to head on your journey to Mildura. The transformation of this leg of the journey is not like you have seen before. It is where the River bushland meets in the desert. Mildura, is a desert oasis set beside the Murray River.
You cannot visit Mildura without taking in the sights and sounds of two very different National Parks. The Murray-Sunset National Park has four distinct wilderness zones. Starting with billabongs, native pine woodlands, red sand dunes and saltbush flats. Depending on the time of year- you can see anything from seasonal wildflowers, bird life, Red Kangaroos hopping around, breathtaking sunsets and the gorgeous Pink Lakes that turn a vivid colour in the Late Summer.
If you can spare another day in Mildura, take a drive out to the Mungo National Park, tours of this areas are available. This area is isolated and bush camping facilities are available at two sites only. Visitors are asked to bring their own water, food and sufficient fuel to make the 300km round trip. Experience the magical, mysterious and beautiful Lake Mungo, it is a part of the Willandra Lakes system, back in 1981 it was listed as a World Heritage site and is now documented as one the oldest places for human occupation dating back to Aboriginal life from around 40,000 years ago to the present day.
With continued warmth and sunshine, Mildura is a very popular destination for outdoor dining, relaxing in the sun, taking in some golf if you fancy a game on one of several fine courses. Or join in one of several annual celebrations. In January, the Murray River International Music Festival, and in October/November you cannot pass up the change to attend the Jazz, Food & Wine Festival.
We truly recommend standing at the Quality Hotel Mildura Grand, not only lovely well appointed luxurious rooms. The Grand Hotel is also home to Stefano’s De Pier’s restaurant. This restaurant is a must experience for anyone standing in Mildura.
Accommodation Recommendations: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand, is an historic landmark with a contemporary outlook. There is an extensive range of accommodation from specialty suites to simpler, yet equally comfortable rooms. Located within Quality Hotel Mildura Grand are six varied dining outlets. These include the award winning restaurant, Stefano’s, Spanish Bar & Grill, Seasons, Pizza Café, the Mildura Brewery Pub and 27 Deakin Cafe – Stefano’s Good Food Store.