This new Aussie trail is tipped to be one of 2025’s top attractions

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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Calling all adventurers – the Murray River is about to get even better.

The Murray River is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations thanks to its historic paddlesteamers, esteemed wineries, hyperlocal foodie scene and laid-back river lifestyle. But this Victorian gem is about to get even more enticing, with a new trail opening in 2025.

The Murray River Adventure Trail is an epic outdoor experience developed by Parks Victoria, perfect for nature lovers and explorers alike. Picturesque hiking tracks and cycling paths meet kayaking and camping along this scenic stretch from Lake Hume to Mildura, with so much more to be discovered along the way.

Murray River in Victoria
The Murray River is a natural playground for adventurers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

What is the Murray River Adventure Trail?

While the project is still in the early stages of development, a detailed plan for the Murray River Adventure Trail is already gaining global attention with National Geographic including the region on its list of 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025, and Timeout London predicting the trail itself will be one of the world’s top 25 things to do this year.

Kayaking along the Murray River in Victoria
The Murray River Adventure Trail will include a range of outdoor activities. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The monumental project will open in stages, much like Australia’s iconic rail trails that offer a similar experience for nature lovers. However, what sets the Murray River Adventure Trail apart is its wide range of activities.

Upon completion, an expansive variety of connected walking, cycling and paddling trails are slated to cross over 500 kilometres of country Victoria, from Lake Hume, near Wodonga, all the way to Mildura. Suitable for both single- and multi-day use, the trail will also include campgrounds, picnic areas, toilet facilities, watercraft launches and parking. New signage will assist and educate visitors on the region’s natural and cultural significance, too.

Lake Hume near Wodonga in Victoria
The trail will incorporate places like Lake Hume near Wodonga. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the development and eventual launch of the trail, Parks Victoria aims to maximise public access while ensuring ongoing environmental protection and respect for the land’s Traditional Owners.

What will Stage One offer and when will it open?

Stage One of the Murray River Adventure Trail is currently under construction, thanks to a whopping $10.3 million in funding received from Victoria’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.

Hikers walking along the Murray River in Victoria
Stage One will feature 16 new or improved trailheads. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Passing through Echuca, Murray River Reserve, Gunbower National Park and Lower Goulburn National Park, the first stage will offer visitors a taste of what’s to come. There will be 16 formal trailheads along the river in Stage One, some with pit stops at cute riverside towns.

Eight existing campgrounds and campsites in this area will also be upgraded, as well as new launch points for canoes and kayaks. Given the project’s immense scale, stages of the Murray River Adventure Trail will continue to open incrementally into 2026 and beyond.

A campsite along the Murray River in Victoria
Campsites and campgrounds will be upgraded for overnight use. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Parks Victoria has also been working in close consultation with Traditional Owners, local government bodies and Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. While a date is yet to be confirmed, Stage One is reportedly opening later this year.

How do I find the Murray River Adventure Trail?

The closest major airport to the Murray River Adventure Trail is in Bendigo, where you can hire a car and make the one-hour drive north to Echuca. If you’re coming from Melbourne, it’ll take you roughly three hours by car.

The PS Emmylou paddlesteamer on the Murray River in Victoria
Stay onboard the PS Emmylou while in Echuca. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Once you’ve arrived, there’s plenty to see and do before or after your epic outdoor adventure. This bucolic part of country Victoria is brimming with history and charm, from a luxurious farm stay in Barham to a multi-day cruise aboard PS Emmylou with Murray River Paddlesteamers.

You can stay up to date with the rollout of Stage One, as well as other Murray River Adventure Trail updates via the Parks Victoria website.

The Murray River in Victoria
Parks Victoria will continue to roll out the trail’s stages into 2026. (Image: Visit Swan Hill)
Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig TansleyBy Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.