Murray Bridge magic

The fifth-longest river in the world, the Murray River flows from the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales past the wharves of old riverboat towns to the Southern Ocean near Adelaide in South Australia.

In the 19th century, paddlewheel steamers chugged up and down between river settlements and it seemed as though the Murray might become Australia's Mississippi. Then railways eclipsed riverboats. Nowadays, the river offers all sorts of lazy diversions. Families can set up camp by a billabong (river lagoon), boil the billy, drop in a fishing line and generally laze around on a great rustic holiday.

The town of Murray Bridge is an easy one hour drive from Adelaide along the South Eastern Freeway. Charter a houseboat, ranging from a two-berth budget model to a 12-berth luxury cruiser, or hire a canoe to explore tranquil river backwaters.

Modern-day explorers encounter abundant wildlife, historic towns, rich vineyards and orchards. Captain Cook Cruises runs Murray Princess, Australia's largest paddlewheeler, on the river. Perhaps fish for yabbies (freshwater crayfish) or cod, or birdwatch - the Murray is a haven for over 350 species of bird.

Apart from the river, attractions in the South Australias Murray River region include wildlife sanctuaries (crocodile feeding and snake handling); Monarto Zoo and its open-range habitat for exotic species including giraffe and rhinoceros, Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre, great golf courses, and cellar doors selling everything from wine and oranges to chocolates and almonds.

The Murray stretches more than 2500 kilometres across one third of the Australian continent. Water can take three months to travel from the source to the mouth, through the ingenious system of locks that keeps much of the river navigable.