There’s only one way to approach a golf trip along the Murray: go large!
It’s long, mighty and home to an array of our most popular golf courses right along its expanses. The Murray River is not only our country’s most treasured watercourse, it is a place where golfers in the know return again and again.
The Murray’s proximity to Australia’s two largest cities has long been one of its assets, one accentuated by the gradual completion of bypasses along the Hume Highway. Melbourne has always been easy to access but these days Sydney is too, whether by road or air, as direct flights are now available to and from Albury, Mildura and Bendigo.
The Murray’s winter is also less biting than Melbourne’s and the upcoming colder months are an underrated time of year to visit. Case in point: the noticeboard that once sat outside the pro shop at Corowa Golf Club, where one of the staff had written in large, colourful letters: “Winter. Murray River golf at its best.” Each morning might begin with a chill in the air, but jumpers are usually discarded by about 10 o’clock.
The Murray’s courses have emerged in ‘pockets’ along the river including, heading from east to west, Albury and surrounds, the Yarrawonga area, the cluster closest to Melbourne at Echuca-Moama and the Swan Hill/Mildura area before the golf continues across the border into South Australia. There is a certain design style to the Murray courses. Like the river itself, almost everything about them is big: large greens, sprawling bunkers, towering trees and plenty of broad fairways, although subtle variations are evident as you traverse the region.
Two of the best aspects about Murray golf are: 1) Many of the best courses have more than 18 holes, so you can plan golf-filled days or remain in the same place for several days, and 2) Almost all have accommodation attached, which makes life easy, post-round.
Meanwhile, the Murray golf courses align perfectly with the local wine region to form a compelling and tasty union. Much like the golf options, the wineries are numerous, making it difficult to narrow selections. It’s not difficult to see why Murray River golf trips tend to be lengthy ones – there’s a lot to take in if you’re willing to try it all. As a wine region, Rutherglen owns a reputation for its Durifs and Muscats, those treacle-like sweet varieties that trickle down the throat, as well as Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. It’s a collection of powerful flavours to match a power-packed golf destination.
PLAY & STAY
Black Bull 18-hole championship golf course is a must-play when travelling along the Murray. Ranked No.68 in Australian Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses for 2020-2021, it was designed by course Architects Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett. Book our luxury play and stay package today and experience our boutique resort, The Sebel Yarrawonga, which was awarded best Resort Style Accommodation 2021, Tourism Accommodation Awards (VIC).
Visit blackbullgc.com.au to find out more.
PLAY
1 Black Bull Golf Club
2 Murray Downs Golf & Country Club
3 Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club (either course)
4 Rich River Golf Club Resort (either course)
5 Tocumwal Golf & Bowls Club (either course)
6 Cobram Barooga Golf Club (either course)
7 Corowa Golf Club
8 Thurgoona Country Club Resort
9 Howlong Golf Resort
10 CluBarham Golf & Sports
EAT & DRINK
The Social Wine Bar – Echuca
https://www.instagram.com/thesocialwinebar/
Black Smith Provedore – Mulwala
blacksmithprovedore.com/
Stock and Barrel – Yarrawonga
thesebelyarrawonga.com.au/restaurants-and-bars/stock-barrel/
The Province by Matt De Angelo – Mildura
theprovince.net.au
STAY
The Sebel Yarrawonga Silverwoods
thesebelyarrawonga.com.au/
Indulge Apartments – Mildura
indulgeapartments.com.au
Waterfront Holiday Houses – Yarrawonga and surrounds
waterfrontholidayhouses.com.au
CocknBull – Echuca
cocknbullechuca.com
DO
Cruise the Murray on a Paddlesteamer
visitthemurray.com.au/
Source produce direct from the farm
visitthemurray.com.au/places-to-go/central/suncountry/things-to-do/food-wine/farm-gate-trail
Murray Offroad Adventures
murrayoffroadadventures.com.au
Go fishing on Lake Mulwala
visitthemurray.com.au/things-to-do/on-the-river/fishing
