Tenders are now being sought to plan and design a section of the new Murray River Adventure Trail - a long-distance walking, cycling and water-based adventure trail along the Murray River.
The Murray River is one of the most dominant features of the landscape in south-east Australia, with exceptional natural environments and significant Aboriginal cultural heritage. The region is a key tourism destination, famous for diverse experiences including food, wine, boating, camping, riding, canoeing and more.
When complete, the Murray River Adventure Trail will connect a series of walking, cycling and watercraft trails and create a new long-distance nature-based experience all the way from Lake Hume in the east near Wodonga to Mildura in the west.
New and upgraded trails and a range of other visitor facilities will be created from Picnic Point in Barmah National Park to Koondrook, as part of Stage One of the trail - spanning an initial 270 kilometres of water and 201 kilometres of land-based trail.
This initial section of the trail will connect almost 180 kilometres of existing land-based trail, deliver vital improvements to over 100 kilometres of trail, and create 22 kilometres of new trail.
The project will also deliver a series of new kayak launches and small bridge crossings, new facilities at several key visitor sites, including picnic facilities, car parking and toilets. New signage will help visitors navigate the trail and learn about the rich Aboriginal heritage and environmental values of the river and surrounding landscape.
New nature-based tourism experiences and better connections between towns in the vibrant Murray River region will encourage people to visit new locations, extend their stay, boost tourism and support the regional economy. The trail will be easily accessible and cater for both day and multi-day trail visitors.
As the land manager of most of the land this section of the trail is located on, Parks Victoria will lead the project. We will work closely with Traditional Owners, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local governments in the area.
We will undertake cultural and environmental assessments to ensure that any new sections of trail and visitor infrastructure are best placed to minimise impacts to the landscape.
As part of the Flagship Tourism Projects in the Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan, the Victorian Government has invested $10.3 million into the initial Victorian section of the project. Works are expected to be completed in 2024.
