Murray River Resort

You know what struck me first about Murray River Resort? It’s actually right on the water – and I mean right on it, not one of those “waterfront” places where you need binoculars to see the river. The moment you pull up to 162 Perricoota Road (easy to find, just follow the signs from the Moama town center), you can hear the Murray lapping against the banks. The whole property sits on this gorgeous bend in the river, which honestly makes all the difference when you’re sipping your morning coffee on the deck.

The resort itself feels more like a really well-thought-out holiday park than your typical stuffy hotel – in the best possible way. The cabins and rooms are spread out under these massive red gums, so you get actual privacy instead of hearing your neighbor’s TV through paper-thin walls. I stayed in one of their spa suites during a quieter midweek period in autumn, and the place was dead silent except for the occasional paddle steamer chugging by (which is actually pretty charming, not annoying). The rooms are properly fitted out too – full kitchens that aren’t just for show, decent-sized bathrooms, and air conditioning that actually works when those 40-degree days hit. Parking’s right outside your door, which might sound boring but you’ll appreciate it when you’re hauling esky after esky for a river weekend.

What really makes this place work is how they’ve embraced the whole Murray River thing without going overboard with the nautical kitsch. Sure, there’s a pool, but honestly, most people end up down at their private beach area or using the boat ramp – they’ve got kayaks and paddleboards you can borrow, and the staff actually know the good fishing spots upstream. The kids’ playground sits right between the accommodation and the river, so parents can keep an eye on things while having a proper drink. During school holidays it gets pretty lively (fair warning if you’re looking for complete peace), but outside those times it’s surprisingly relaxed. The on-site restaurant’s nothing fancy, but they do a decent pub-style meal, and really, you’re ten minutes from Echuca if you want more dining options. I mean, this isn’t a place you come to for room service and turndown chocolates – it’s where you come to actually use the river, maybe try your luck at the nearby casino, or just disconnect for a few days. The 8.9 rating makes sense when you realize they’re not trying to be something they’re not – just a solid, well-run spot that gets the basics right and gives you proper access to one of Australia’s best river stretches.

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