11 wild outdoor adventures in the Riverina

Lace-up your shoes (or bring your bike) for the Wiradjuri Trail 

The 42km Wiradjuri Trail loop around Wagga Wagga takes in some of the city’s most significant Aboriginal sites, connecting hilltops, riverbanks and an epic bike arena. There’s no set start or finish line, so pick a point of entry (Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre is a popular start point) and enjoy a day of wandering along the Murrumbidgee River, cycling the area’s trails, exploring the Wollundry Lagoon and taking in the wildlife of the Marrambidya Wetland. Aim to finish at Wagga Beach – bring your swimsuit to cool down.   

Wiradjuri Trail in Wagga Wagga - Credit: Chloe Smith Photography | Visit Wagga Wagga

Paddle the mighty Murrumbidgee 

The second longest river in Australia, the Murrumbidgee River flows through some of Australia’s hottest and driest regions, providing a source of life for all manner of crops, from citrus to grapes, and wildlife. Starting downstream makes for easy paddling so aim to finish at Wagga Wagga, where there are ample spots to eat and drink. Experienced paddlers could start at Burrinjuck Dam (approximately 250km to Wagga Wagga) or Nanangroe Reserve (230km), where you’ll get some rapids if the river is low – both have parking and easy access. For a relaxed journey jump in at Gundagai (130km) or Jugiong (200km). Along the way there are plenty of spots where you can pause to refuel in the shade, set up camp for the night or drop into town for a pub feed. Download the handy map before you set off.    

Kayaking at Wagga Wagga Beach, Riverina

Get back to nature at The Rock 

The Rock Nature Reserve - Kengal Aboriginal Place is a rugged, spectacular Riverina national park with some of the best views in the region plus opportunities to rock climb, hike, go bird watching and picnic with an epic backdrop. The reserve is named after a geological giant that soars 364m above the plains. Climb The Towers on the northeast face, or tackle the Yerong Walking Track, a moderately challenging route up the slopes of The Rock to a spectacular lookout.    

The Rock Nature Reserve - Kengal Aboriginal Place, The Riverina

Splash about at Wagga Beach 

Wagga Wagga may be around 400km from the nearest coastline, but it still offers plenty of places to cool off in the water. Case in point, Wagga Beach, a strip of sand just five minutes from the heart of town on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Take a dip, set up the stumps for a game of beach cricket, launch your kayak or just find a patch of shade (there are plenty), picnic table or barbecue for a breezy beach-side meal.    

Kids playing at Wagga Wagga Beach - Credit: Jack of Hearts Photography | Visit Wagga Wagga

Spot koalas in the wild 

Locals know Narrandera Nature Reserve as the Koala Reserve. When you visit, you’ll understand why. Approximately 295 koalas call this patch of native forest home (with numbers on the rise), and they’re not shy about saying g’day to passers-by – look out for them in the branches of river red gums overhanging the Murrumbidgee River. There are well-maintained trails for hiking and cycling, as well as plenty of places to enjoy a picnic – you might also spot a platypus, rakali or swamp wallaby.   

Koala sleeping in a tree

Take a dip in a thermal pool 

Toward the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park, Yarrangobilly is the gateway to some of Australia’s most beautiful limestone caves, six of which are open to the public – some on guided tours, and some on self-guided tours. Be mesmerised by huge tunnels in the earth covered in stalagmites, stalactites, shawls and cave corals, then take a dip in the thermal pool, fed by natural spring water and at 27°C year round.  

Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Boen Ferguson, DPE

Channel your inner twitcher 

With copious waterways, wetlands and national parks, the Riverina region is a bird-watching paradise. Download the Bird Trails of the Riverina and South West Slopes of NSW guide, which details top trails and spots to pull out your binoculars, including the Narrandera Wetlands, Rocky Waterholes and Bushy Bend in Hay, where you’ll likely spot galahs, red-rumped parrots, crested pigeons, blue-faced honeyeaters, noisy friarbirds… and so much more.      

The bird hide on the banks of the Bundidgerry Creek in the Rocky Waterholes, Narrandera - Credit: Narrandera Tourism

Get a dose of alfresco culture

Across the interconnecting rivers, heritage towns and farm scapes, the Riverina is dotted with public art that tells a story about its history and lands. Like a treasure hunter, find each mural and sculpture on the Riverina Outdoor Art Trail – taking in the famous mural works of Melbourne-based Mongolian artist Heesco painted across the wheat silos of Weethalle and the water tanks of Griffith.  Then, hugging the curves of the Murrumbidgee River through Bushy Bend reserve and to Sandy Point beach, explore the Bidgee Riverside and Trail in Hay which hosts large public sculptures by artists John Wood and John Woodward (to cruise the trail by bike, hire wheels from the Hay Visitor Information Centre).     

Hay Water Tower Art

Go chasing waterfalls 

Just a 40-minute drive from Griffith, Cocoparra National Park comes alive after the rain, when creeks flow in full force and waterfalls tumble over escarpments. It’s particularly pretty in the spring, when wildflowers – orchids, wattles and tea trees – colour the countryside. Keep watch for echidnas and birds such as the rare glossy black cockatoos, painted honeyeaters, Gilbert’s whistlers and the world’s fastest animal, the peregrine falcon. One waterfall not to be missed is Paddy’s River Falls near Tumbarumba – you’ll hear it before you see it.  

Paddy's River Falls, Tumbarumba

Shred the tracks of Pomingalarna Reserve  

Any budding cyclist, mountain biker or BMX racer should make tracks to Pomingalarna Reserve, Wagga Wagga’s $12 million multisport cycling complex. The cyclist adventure land includes a 400m velodrome, a BMX racetrack, a crit track, mountain bike trails, and jump and pump tracks. Brings snacks for a mid-cycle picnic, snags for the barbecues, and, if you’ve still got the energy, golf clubs for the 18 holes next door (there’s a shed to store your bikes while you eat or golf).   

Pomingalarna Reserve, Moorong

Cruise the Murray River, luxuriously  

Paddlesteamers have been cruising the Murray River since 1853. First introduced to the river to operate like an aquatic rail line, the charming boats now have a sole purpose of giving tourists beautiful leisure rides. But ferry or cruise ship, none of the paddlesteamers of the past looked quite like the PS Australian Star, a luxury boat designed to honour the artistry and engineering that defined the paddlesteamer era. The opulent cruise is launching in mid-2025, until then (and after) history buffs can still board a more traditional boat with both Murray River Paddlesteamers and Echuca Paddlesteamers offering cruises on restored, historic boats that rely on their original wood-fired steam engines.    

Emmylou paddle steamer on the Murray River, The Murray