Riverina Region

Stretching across the southwestern plains of New South Wales, the Riverina is a sun-drenched mosaic of patchwork farmland, lazy rivers, and country towns with serious culinary and cultural clout. This is where the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers carve a green corridor through golden landscapes, nurturing orchards, vineyards, and rice paddies that supply much of Australia’s produce. For the traveller, it’s a place to slow down, eat exceptionally well, and discover a side of rural Australia that’s both authentic and quietly sophisticated.

Highlights & What to See

• Wagga Wagga – The region’s largest city, with the excellent Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, the historic Botanic Gardens, and a lively café scene along Baylis Street.
• Griffith – An Italian-influenced hub famous for its wineries (try De Bortoli or McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate) and the glorious Catania Fruit Salad Farm.
• Deniliquin – A classic river town on the Edward River, perfect for canoeing, birdwatching, and the quirky Deniliquin Ute Muster (held every two years).
• Narrandera – Home to the Fivebough Wetlands, a Ramsar-listed bird sanctuary, and the historic Narrandera Fisheries Centre.
• Murrumbidgee River Trail – A scenic drive or cycle route that follows the river, linking national parks, swimming holes, and riverside campgrounds.
• Leeton – A planned town with art deco architecture, the Yanco Agricultural Institute, and the nearby Cocoparra National Park for bushwalking.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly soak up the Riverina’s character, allow at least three to four days. This gives you time to explore two or three main towns, enjoy a winery lunch, and take a river cruise or kayak trip. If you’re self-driving, a week-long loop from Sydney via the Hume Highway, then returning through the Snowy Mountains or along the Murray River, is ideal. The region is best visited in spring (September–November) or autumn (March–May) when temperatures are mild and the harvest season brings food festivals.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Murray River National Park – A wetlands wonderland just south of the region, great for canoeing and wildlife spotting.
• Snowy Mountains – A two-hour drive east from Wagga Wagga, offering alpine hiking, skiing in winter, and the scenic Alpine Way.
• Mungo National Park – A World Heritage-listed landscape of lunar-like dunes and ancient human remains, about 3.5 hours west of Griffith.
• Cootamundra – A historic town on the Olympic Highway, known for its heritage-listed buildings and the nearby Cootamundra Common.
• Junee – Home to the Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory and the beautifully preserved Junee Railway Station.

Please check official sources for current details.