the Murray River itself actually belongs to NSW as it forms the NSW-Vic border
Gunbower Creek is an anabranch of the Murray River which receives water from the Murray River when it reaches flood level upstream of Torrumbarry Weir near Turner Bend or where it re-joins the Murray at Koondrook - although both sites are partially controlled by weirs
the Murray River is fed by:
upper Murray river origins in the high country
Mitta Mitta River into Lake Hume at Tallangatta
Ovens River into Lake Mulwala at Yarrawonga
Goulburn River (and hence Broken River which joins the Goulburn at Shepparton) just east of Echuca - these waters may go upstream in Barmah Forest and into Edward River system to Deniliquin
Campaspe River at Echuca
Loddon River at Swan Hill
Edward River and Wakool River (anabranches in NSW) at Kenley (between Swan Hill and Robinvale)
Murrumbidgee River near Boundary Bend (upstream of Robinvale)
Darling River at Wentworth (downstream of Mildura)
it is an extremely popular camping area, especially for 4WDs and self-contained rigs however it is subject to flooding and prolonged post-flood closures
it is popular for boating and fishing activities but also summer swimming
there are more beach and grassy areas upstream of Echuca than downstream of Echuca but the river is wider and better for boating activities downstream of Echuca
popular spots downstream of Echuca are pianta road, casey road and odwyers road but not if flooded
in addition, there are many commercial holiday parks for those with families and caravans or for grey nomads who prefer the town facilities
there are very few non-commercial camp grounds with toilets and none with showers
subject to flooding mainly in late winter / spring - but this can close camp areas for 6 months or more
disease carrying mosquitoes are problematic - take precautions in summer especially
Murray Valley encephalitis virus
Barmah Forest virus
Ross River virus
Japanese Encephalitis virus
LOTS of redgum eucalyptus trees line the river and these drop LARGE LETHAL branches without warning - don't camp under them!
most camps are bush camps without toilets or water - and many are best accessed with a 4WD, especially after wet weather or floods
this region tends to be very HOT in summer - bring lots of potable water and protective gear - plus swim gear / life jackets
unlike most of Victoria, the Murray region is also home to nocturnal tree dwelling non-venomous pythons such as the Murray Darling Carpet Snake and the Diamond Python
Note that a large Murray flood upstream from Barmah is not indicative of future Murray flooding downstream between Echuca and Swan Hill as the Barmah Choke restricts Murray River flows past Barmah to around 35,000 ML/d with the balance being forced northwards into NSW along the Edwards River.
in addition, some of the floodwaters from the Goulburn River which enters downstream of Barmah Lake and just upstream of Echuca will flow upstream and into the Edward River system
Barmah:
Oct 2022 was the highest level since 1974 and was 7.32m with flows of nearly 39,000ML/d
Echuca:
minor flood level is 93.5m AHD
floods are mainly dependent upon inflows from upper Murray (but these are limited to 35,000Ml/d) and the Goulburn River, as well as the Campaspe River which reaches the Murray River at Echuca
the next major river system to enter the Murray River downstream is the Loddon which joins the Little Murray River at Winlaton and then this joins the Murray near then and at Swan Hill
Campaspe River at Rochester:
major flood level 114.5m, mod. 114.0m, minor 113.0m (Jan 2011 hit 115.4m) - most of Rochester is flooded at over 115m
major flood of Oct 2022 hit over 115m equating to 9.29m measurement
Torrumbarry Weir:
primary embankment height is 5m, with water height of 86.05m, capacity 36,810ML, and during minor flood levels and higher, outflows = inflows as weir does not have impact on flows
Torrumbarry Weir downstream:
peaked at 7.83m in the Oct 2022 floods
“minor flood levels” are 7.3m at this point
usually drops to around 1.5m by March and usually peaks around 6m in Oct
water temp usually rises from 9degC in July to 28degC by end of Jan
minor flood levels are at 5.5m which may impact camping tracks; major flooding is 6.10m and higher;
Loddon River at Kerang:
major flooding occurs over 77.8m (minor flood level 77.0m) at the Murray Valley Highway Bridge Gauge (19/1/2011 hit 78.03m, 10/12/2010 and Sep 2016 hit 77.4m)
this roughly equates to Loddon River levels of ~2m (peak of major flood in Jan 2011 was 2.1m)
Laanecoorie Reservoir:
primary embankment height is 22m, with water height of 160.21m, capacity 7980ML and during minor flood levels and higher, outflows = inflows as weir does not have impact on flows at FSL of 160.21m
Big Naughtons Camp 1 (Lower Ovens WR) Near Bundalong
beside the Ovens River in the Lower Ovens Wildlife Reserve near the Murray
no mobile reception
Lat -36.048345° Lon 146.197474°
Kyffins Reserve, north shore Lake Mulwala
14 day limit; boat ramp; Telstra;
Lat -35.979576° Lon 146.059329°
east of Corowa:
The Police Paddocks Near Rutherglen
a naturally formed island that was used to rest police horses in the late 1800s
very large camp site with lots of open grassy areas as well as trees and river banks, 2WD accessible, no facilities; Telstra phone reception available;
lots of grassy areas some beachy areas; areas of blackwater near the start; plenty of well separated camp areas so should be able to get a good distance away from other campers
long thin campground alonsgide the Murray starting at -35.990948655498826, 146.49066669472538
impressive views of Murray River from your tent; paddling, fishing and swimming; boat ramp; Telstra;
from Moama, head north along Cobb Highway. Turn left onto Perricoota Road and continue for approximately 15km; it becomes Moama-Barnham Road. Turn left onto Benarca Forest Road and follow the signs to the campground; Lat -36.071431° Lon 144.612352°
free campground on Fish Point near the bridge; no facilities;
a nice spot for an overnighter, with the larger area in the front accommodating about five vehicles
Lake Boga Caravan Park
grassy campground that offers unpowered sites on the shores of Lake Boga
From $7.50 Per Person Per Night (Off-Peak): toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, bins, walking and cycling trails, BBQ areas, mobile & TV reception, and a boat ramp
Murrabit Recreation Reserve
not on the Murray but close
provides short-term overnight stays and long-term weekly camping option
$10/n: toilet, shower, water, power hookups, a dump point, laundry, and a playground
north-west of Swan Hill
Tooleybuc Sporting Club
toilets, showers, drinking, and non-drinking water, tables, bins, trails, BBQ areas, a boat ramp, Wi-Fi, mobile & TV reception, and power hookups
$20/n powered, unpowered are free;
Tooleybuc Bridge
no facilities; an ideal spot in dry weather due to its proximity to the river, but it can get boggy during the wet season
Speewa Ferry Crossing
next to the ferry that connects Speewa Ferry Road in New South Wales to the Speewa Punt Road in Victoria
toilets, a shaded area, open fire pits, mobile & TV reception
Wakool River Camping
free campground on Tooleybuc Road Kyalite in NSW; toilet;
not on the Murray but close
Wood Wood Caravan Park
$20/n: showers, toilets, drinking and non-drinking water, tables, bins, walking trails, fire pits, BBQ areas, laundry, gas refill, a boat ramp, on-site accommodation, dump point, power hookups, TV & Mobile reception and a discount for seniors.
Pelican Waters Tourist Park, Lake Charm
under $20/n: showers, toilets, drinking, and non-drinking water, picnic tables, bins, BBQ areas, laundry, power hookups, a boat ramp, and mobile & TV reception
Lake Charm Foreshore Caravan Park
$15pp/n: showers, toilets, non-drinking water, bins, trails, BBQ areas, a playground, laundry, mobile & TV reception, gas refill, power hookups
Hilltop Resort, Tyntynder Sth
under $20/n: showers, toilets, drinking water, tables, bins, a BBQ area, a playroom, a playground, a camp kitchen, laundry, a swimming pool, on-site cabin accommodation, power hookups, mobile & TC reception,
Mildura region
east of Mildura
Happy Valley Landing near Robinvale
west of Mildura
Merbein Common
ground is clay so when wet extremely slippery and boggy (If raining 4 x 4 recommended)
Renmark region
Katarapko near Berri
small fee;
three main sections in Katarapko. Katarapko Creek, Lock 4 and Eckerts Creek. The Lock 4 and Eckert’s Creek sections have campgrounds suited to larger groups.