For the first time, River Reflections is being held in the lower Murray catchment, home to the River Murray, Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM).
Over the 2 days, the region will bring together local voices and perspectives from across the Basin to explore collaborative solutions for sustainable water management and stronger, healthier communities.
Secure your ticket now or register to access the FREE livestream.
It’s the perfect time to join the conversation about protecting this vital river system for future generations – while enjoying the natural beauty of the southern Murray–Darling Basin.
Extend your trip to the lower Murray
Did you know that the Basin generates $15 billion in tourism each year? The iconic River Murray was even featured in Australian Traveller’s 10 must-see iconic wonders of Australia. So if you’re coming for the conference you may want to stay for the scenery.
Whether you’re an adventurous thrill seeker or someone who wants to relax and unwind in nature, the lower Murray has something to offer every traveller.
The beautiful region is home to an array of spectacular landscapes, rich First Nations culture, incredible food and wine, and not one, but 3 internationally significant RAMSAR sites.
Whether you’re staying for a few days or a few weeks, here’s what you won’t want to miss.
Explore the main regions
Murraylands
After winding through the rolling sand hills of the mallee country of north-west Victoria and western New South Wales, the River Murray begins its decent into the heart of South Australia’s Murraylands. Like the rest of the catchment, the Murraylands rely on a healthy river to maintain water levels for irrigation and town water supply.
The main regional centres include Murray Bridge, Tailem Bend, and Mannum – all of which showcase their own recreational activities, cultural experiences and unique landscapes for visitors to enjoy. From silo art trails, to the Murray’s tallest cliffs, the Murraylands are a great place to kick off your lower Murray experience.
The Riverland
The Riverland is known for its incredible food and wine, with citrus, almonds, apricots, and wine grapes growing in abundance. These crops, along with the region's main centres; Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Waikerie and Barmera, rely on the precious water that flows through the River Murray.
This region is also home to 6 of the 11 weirs and locks located in the catchment, which allow water to be diverted for agricultural, domestic and industrial use, and recreational activities. It is also home to the internationally recognised Chowilla Floodplain and the Lindsay–Wallpolla–Mulcra Islands, where you'll find the largest remaining area of natural river red gum forest in the lower River Murray.
For the thrill seekers, the Riverland is a perfect spot for water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. For the nature lovers, you can wind down amongst the grape vines while soaking in the views of the golden cliffs that hug the River Murray below.
Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM)
Located at the end of the River Murray, the CLLMM region is one of Australia’s most unique ecological areas, and is home to one of the most remarkable waterbird habitats in the Basin. It is a highly signifcant conservation area, with Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert and the Coorong listed under the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The Murray Mouth is the only, and final point in the Basin where the river system connects to the sea. To maintain fresh water in the Lower Lakes, barrages have been installed to prevent the flow of sea water into the lakes during storms, high tides, and during dry periods when the water level in the lakes falls.
Because of the diverse range of ecosystems covering the full spectrum between hyper-saline and freshwater environments, this is the only place in the Basin where you’ll find freshwater species and sea lions in the one place.
This unique landscape, with its infrastructure, friendly communities, and the array of animals that call it home, is not to be missed.
Register now
Start planning your trip to the lower Murray today to contribute to the MDBA’s collective purpose of Rivers, for generations. Secure your ticket now or register to access the FREE livestream.