Packrafting the Murray River, VIC

INTRO

There's a section of the Murray River that most people drive straight past on their way to the houseboats and waterskiing at Echuca. Tucked inside the Murray Valley National Park and the Barmah National Park, this ~48km stretch of the Murray winds through one of the largest river red gum forests in the world on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta People. On a packraft, it's genuinely spectacular.

Put in at The Gulf Camping Area and take out at Barmah Lakes, and you've got yourself two to three days of flatwater paddling through ancient Barmah-Millewa Forest, dispersed riverside camps on either the Victorian or NSW side of the river, and the kind of quiet that's increasingly hard to find within a few hours of Melbourne.

This isn't a technical river trip by any means. There are no significant rapids and no hike-in required. What it is, is a proper multi-day packrafting journey through a landscape that feels far more remote than it actually is. In autumn and early winter, with the red gums glowing in the low afternoon light and cool clear mornings on the water, it's one of the best reasons to own a packraft when the whitewater rivers are out of condition.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Melbourne, head north via the Hume Freeway toward Shepparton, then continue on to Echuca (approximately 2.5hrs). From Echuca, cross into Moama (NSW) and head east along Murray Valley Highway toward Barmah.

Shuttle logistics: The car shuttle between The Gulf put-in and Barmah Lakes take-out runs approximately 45-50mins one way on mostly dirt roads. In dry weather these are two-wheel drive accessible, though high clearance is useful for some of the bigger potholes on the tracks near the The Gulf (a AWD/4WD can be handy after heavy rains also, as the tracks can get pretty muddy).

The easiest approach if coming from Echuca/Moama is to leave a vehicle at the Barmah Lakes Camping Area take-out first, then drive on through to The Gulf Camping Area boat ramp to begin your trip.

WHERE TO GET SUPPLIES

Echuca is the nearest major town for groceries, fuel and any last-minute supplies. There's a Woolworths and Coles in the main shopping precinct, along with 24hr fuel and EV fast charging. The main strip also has decent coffee if you need one before hitting the road or a range of decent pub grub post trip.

Barmah township itself is small. Don't rely on picking up supplies there. Sort everything in Echuca before heading out.

PADDLING SECTIONS

Put-in: The Gulf Camping Area boat ramp, Murray Valley National Park, VIC

Take-out: Barmah Lakes Camping Area, Barmah National Park, VIC

Distance: ~48km

Recommended duration: 2-3 days

Grade: Flatwater (Class 1)

With a good flow rate, expect to cover 6-9km/h combining easy paddling and drifting with the current. Two comfortable days of paddling will cover the distance nicely. Three days is even better if you want shorter days, long camps, and time to properly explore, fish or swim.

The Murray through this section follows a wide, steady main channel. Don't be lulled into thinking it's entirely benign. Submerged logs are common and the current can run faster than it looks on the surface, particularly in the bends. Keep your eyes well ahead and paddle with awareness.

Note also that the Murray narrows considerably into what locals call the "choke" in the section upstream of Barmah township. Paddlers on The Gulf to Barmah Lakes route won't encounter this section, but it's worth knowing about if you're looking at the map and planning any variations to the route.

The flooded forest detour: As you approach Barmah Lakes in the final stretch, watch for side channels entering on river left. These lead into the Barmah-Millewa flooded forest, a Ramsar-listed wetland of international significance and one of the most ecologically important landscapes in southeastern Australia. The channels are packraft territory in the truest sense; no other craft gets in there. Allocate time to explore throughout the reeds and forest sections. You won't regret it.

Picnic Point: There's a caravan park on river right near Picnic Point and you'll likely encounter some recreational boating activity in this area, particularly on weekends. It's brief and nothing to stress about. Just be aware you're no longer in the quiet zone for a short stretch or river.

Camping: Dispersed camping along the river is free and requires no booking on the Victorian side (river left). Camping on river right is on the NSW side of the Murray, which falls within Murray Valley National Park (NSW), managed by NSW National Parks. The same general approach applies: dispersed, self-reliant camping along the river bank. Check the NSW National Parks page for any current conditions or restrictions before your trip.

There are numerous good camp options throughout the route: grassy flats, sandy banks, elevated spots with big views up and down the river. Pick your spot, set up, leave it as you found it, and pack out everything you pack in.

The Barmah Lakes Camping Area at the take-out is a Parks Victoria managed site with toilets, fireplaces and tables. It's a beautiful spot to finish a three-day trip, with the lake and flooded forest as your backdrop. Note that designated camping areas with facilities like Barmah Lakes may be subject to a booking and fee system. Check current availability on Parkstay before your trip to avoid any surprises on arrival.

One important safety note for the entire route: river red gums can drop large branches and fall without warning, particularly in dry or windy conditions. Choose your camp spots with this in mind and avoid pitching directly under the canopy of older trees.

Seasonal conditions: The Barmah forest floods regularly as part of its natural ecology. Some tracks and camping areas can become inaccessible during and after high water periods, particularly in spring. Check the Parks Victoria changed conditions page before your trip to confirm current access.

Fishing: The Murray through this section is well regarded for Murray Cod, Golden Perch and Yellowbelly. If you're planning to fish, note that a current NSW Recreational Fishing Licence is required for the main channel of the Murray River, while a Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence covers waters south of the river. Licences are available online through Service NSW and Fishing Victoria respectively.

TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES

• Flow gauge for Barmah, MDBA River Data here. Pack Raft Australia recommends checking flows before heading out. The river is paddleable across a wide range of levels, but higher flows mean faster travel and more water over submerged snags. Lower flows expose more structure and shallow sections. Either is fine in a packraft, just know what you're heading into.

• Parks Victoria changed conditions here. Check before your trip, particularly after wet weather or in spring when flooding can affect access tracks and campsites.

• Barmah National Park, Parks Victoria here

• Murray Valley National Park, NSW National Parks here

• NSW Recreational Fishing Licence here

• Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence here

Need advice on a suitable packraft for a mellow multi-day trip like The Gulf to Barmah Lakes? Give the team at Pack Raft Australia a call on (03) 9039 6224 and we'll happily run through what suits this kind of trip from first-hand experience.

A NOTE ON THE FOREST

The river red gums through this section of the Murray are genuinely ancient, hundreds of years old in many cases, and the Barmah-Millewa Forest as a whole is one of the most significant wetland ecosystems in the southern hemisphere. Travel through it quietly. Camp cleanly. Pack out everything you bring in. Leave it as you found it.

Pack Raft Australia is a proud supporter of the Bob Brown Foundation and their work protecting Australia's wild landscapes.

Journey Near. Journey Far.

Pack Raft Australia, Central Victoria - www.packraftaustralia.com.au | (03) 9039 6224