Murray River Getaway

Another day, another twin city. Day two sees you getting to know Yarrawonga Mulwala and expansive Lake Mulwala, a hotspot for boating and water sports. Make the most of it and learn to waterski or kayak, or drop a line into the lake and catch your own dinner.

Otherwise known as Sun Country, the area features plenty of sunshine and a wide-open landscape. Grab your basket and follow the Farm Gate Trail, stocking up on fresh local produce from farm gates for the journey ahead.

Venture into Barmah National Park, home to the largest River Red Gum forest in the world and hundreds of species of native birds. The national park is another top spot for outdoor adventures – it's a high-adrenaline day in Sun Country.

You wouldn't be in the Murray region if there wasn't a world-class golf course, and Black Bull and Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort are today's chance to improve your handicap.

Take a couple of days and surrender to the charms of Echuca Moama, Australia's paddle steamer capital. Equal parts history and adventure, it's where you can fulfil the Murray's greatest experiences, a ride on a restored paddle steamer and a stay on a luxury houseboat.

Dive right into the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, and learn about Echuca's long history as one of the busiest ports on the Murray. Spot the historic PS Emmylou paddle steamer from the riverbank, or book ahead for a dinner or overnight cruise.

Step out of the past and into the present for a dinner to remember at Morrisons, nestled amid bushland right on the riverfront. Then let the gentle ripples of this mighty river lull you to sleep in your luxury houseboat accommodation.

Dedicate your second day in Echuca Moama to water sports to keep up your waterskiing or give paddleboarding a go. Catch your own lunch with a spot of fishing or let the professionals take care of it at the Star Hotel, tucked into Echuca's busy port precinct. For an afternoon taster, sit down to a local drop at St Anne's Winery Cellar Door in Echuca or head just out of town to their lakeside Moama Cellar Door.

To find out why the sunny Murray region is known as Victoria's food bowl, follow the Backroads Trail. Get treated to good old-fashioned hospitality along this path of signposted sites that encourage you to explore the story of the area, taste the produce of the region and enjoy extra attractions off the beaten track. You're guaranteed to find a comfy bed for the night in an old homestead or quirky B&B.

Add on a side trip to beautiful Hatta-Kulkyne National Park, with a tour by Murray Offroad Adventures.

Continue exploring the Backroads Trail as you make your way to bustling Swan Hill, where the pioneering history is as rich as the contemporary dining scene.

Get a glimpse of life as an early settler at the Pioneer Settlement. The streets, shops, homesteads and community buildings bring to life a nineteenth-century port town. Don't miss the Heartbeat of the Murray laser, fire and water spectacular. For a bit of history from another era, check out the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum.

Golfers itching to get back on the green can play the Murray Downs Golf Club, the Murray's highest rating golf and country club. Those not so keen can sit and watch river life go by from Spoons Riverside, where the best in local produce is showcased along with select regional wines. Alternatively, sit outside at Java Spice's Balinese thatched huts and enjoy South-East Asian fare.

From Swan Hill, head up the Murray Valley and Sturt highways via Robinvale to Mildura, an oasis on the edge of the outback. Highlights include a paddle steamer cruise or a sunset kayaking trip on Kings Billabong, but you can't go past immersing yourself in the otherworldly landscapes of Mungo National Park.

After days spent pursuing the bountiful fresh produce around the region, it's worth experiencing the Chaffey Trail and learning how irrigation opened up the Murray and created Australia's food bowl. That will set you up nicely for a tour of Trentham Estate Winery, Sunraysia Cellars, Fossey's Gin and Mildura Brewery. To top it off, no trip to Mildura – and the Murray region – is complete without a meal at Stefano's, a Victorian icon.

Extend your stay with a day trip from Mildura to Mungo National Park – or book an overnight stay at Lake Mungo Lodge, a guided tour or even a scenic flight over this ancient landscape.