Tumbling from its source in the High Country, the Murray is one of the world's great rivers, flowing through river red gum forests, wetlands teeming with birdlife, rich agricultural land and busy river towns.

Here is your chance to discover the charm of the paddle steamer era, when the Murray was a vital transport system, linking the inland to the coast.

Activities abound - pick fruit, sample wine, hire a houseboat or try catching the famous Murray Cod. The Murray is also famous for its many high quality golf courses.

Explore the Murray from the paddle steamer capital of Australia, Echuca-Moama. From here you can take a cruise or hire a houseboat - paddle steamers and riverboats still pull into its historic wharf.

Bask on the sunny shores of Lake Mulwala. Corowa, also has a colourful history associated with its role as a river port and the centre of agriculture in the region.

Albury-Wodonga, roughly half way between Sydney and Melbourne, is a great base from which to explore the whole region. The alps, goldfields, heritage towns, river valley and wineries are all within easy reach.

For a geographical contrast, the rural lands around picturesque Deniliquin, home of Merino wool, are worth a visit. But wherever you go, the Murray River will never be far away.