Riverina Wine Region

Stretching across the flat, sun-baked plains of southern New South Wales, the Riverina Wine Region is one of Australia’s most productive and underrated wine areas. This is a land of big skies, irrigation channels, and a relaxed country pace, where family-run wineries and cellar doors offer a genuine taste of regional life. The Riverina is particularly famous for its bold, fruit-driven reds and luscious fortified wines, and its proximity to the Murrumbidgee River makes it a green oasis in an otherwise dry landscape. For travellers who love wine, local produce, and wide-open spaces, this is a rewarding detour off the Hume Highway.

Highlights & What to See

• Winery trail through Griffith – The heart of the region, with dozens of cellar doors including the historic De Bortoli, McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate, and the boutique Berton Vineyard. Don’t miss the sweet sticky wines and the bold shiraz.
• Wagga Wagga – The region’s largest city, with the Riverina Museum, the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and a lively café scene that showcases local wines by the glass.
• Murrumbidgee River – Perfect for a picnic, a paddle, or a spot of birdwatching along the river red gum-lined banks. The Wiradjuri Walking Track in Wagga offers an easy stroll with interpretive signs.
• Griffith Italian heritage – Sample authentic Italian pastries, gelato, and espresso at the many cafes in Griffith, a legacy of the post-war migrant community that shaped the region’s wine and food culture.
• Cocoparra National Park – A rugged outback escape with walking trails, wildflowers in spring, and panoramic views from the top of the Bingar Mountain.
• Narrandera – A historic river town with a well-preserved main street, the Narrandera Fisheries Centre, and the Fivebough Wetlands, a haven for migratory birds.

Suggested Time to Spend

To properly explore the Riverina Wine Region, plan for at least two full days. Spend the first day in and around Griffith, visiting three or four cellar doors and soaking up the Italian-influenced food scene. Dedicate the second day to Wagga Wagga, with a morning at the museum and an afternoon along the Murrumbidgee. If you have a third day, venture to Cocoparra National Park or the wetlands near Narrandera. The region is best visited between spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and the vines are lush.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Canberra – About 3.5 hours east, the national capital offers museums, galleries, and a thriving food and wine scene of its own.
• Snowy Mountains – Head south for alpine scenery, hiking in summer, and skiing in winter; the town of Jindabyne is a good base.
• Murrumbidgee River Valley – Follow the river upstream through towns like Gundagai and Tumut for historic bridges and national parks.
• Mungo National Park – A World Heritage-listed landscape of lunettes and ancient human remains, about 3 hours west of Griffith.
• Hilltops Wine Region – Just north, around Young and Harden, this cooler-climate region produces excellent chardonnay and shiraz.
• Hay Plains – For a taste of the outback, drive west to the flat, endless plains and the Shear Outback shearers’ museum in Hay.

Please check official sources for current details.