The Edward River is Deniliquin’s answer to Echuca’s Murray River, but with a much more unexplored and untouched vibe to it! Plus, it’s not completely overrun by tourists just yet, so you’ll often find places all to yourself! This tranquil river snakes through the town, surrounded by towering river red gums and greenery.
Whether you’re in Deni for some chill out time camping and fishing or more fast paced activities like water-skiing and wake-boarding, the Edward river has all your options covered.
Beaches
To be perfectly honest we’d never even considered the possibility of inland beaches. But seriously there are beaches on the banks of the Edward! There are two main public beaches and a handful throughout the Murray Valley Regional Park. What better way to spend a sunny day than catching some rays, enjoying a picnic and having a dip in such spectacular surroundings from a pristine sandy beach! Who needs the ocean anyway!?
Your two best options if chasing the beach experience are McLean’s or Willoughby’s beaches. However, if travelling with children, McLean’s is probably the better option as it is equipped with a BBQ, changing/toilet facility and it is close to the town and shops. You’ll also find loads of carparking and a boat ramp, should you feel inclined to get out onto the water!
While you’re there, why not enjoy the serene float on a tube from Willoughby’s Beach to McLean’s Beach. How could you not have a good time during the one-hour float between beaches! Sign us up! If you do happen to forget a float, don’t stress, because you can pick them up from the Visitor Information Centre in town.
However, if you’re keener on keeping your feet on dry ground, definitely cycle or walk along the ‘Beach to Beach walk’ and feel truly amongst the abundance of nature and wildlife.
Water Sports
What better way to get immersed in the river than getting in it! How’s water-skiing, wakeboarding, tubing or knee boarding sound? Well, Deni’s Edward river is an awesome spot to refine your skills or at least try to not fall off! If you feel like getting pulled around behind a boat, you’ve come to the right place. The calm and long river provides the ideal surface!
The Edward river around Deniliquin has ski and no-ski zones. If you’re up for some water sports the section of river between McLeans Beach and the Deni Boat Club is fair game to ski to your hearts content. You’ll find loads of boat ramps along this section to get you onto the water asap!
If you don’t have a boat, make sure to check in with the Deni Boat Club who offer afternoon ski schools throughout summer and charge a nominal fee ($3-5) to get behind a boat on some skis!
Boating
Canoeing/Kayaking
If life in the slow lane is more your thing than getting aboard a kayak or canoe is the best way to get truly acquainted with the river! You’ll find plenty of wide sheltered river to paddle to your hearts content! Upstream of McLean’s Beach you will avoid much of the powered boats so is ideal, from there you’ll be able to have the river largely to yourself as you paddle from beach to beach.
If you’re a true adventurer, there is a three-day kayaking route from Picnic Point to Deniliquin. This stunning adventure passes various equipped campsites along the way.
Pontoon Boat Hire
A seriously fun way to spend an afternoon is cruising along the river on the BIG 4 Pontoon! This super comfortable water craft is available for hire and can hold 10 people. The awesome thing about hiring he pontoon is you don’t need a boat licence; you just have to have an over 21-year-old driver. To further sweeten the deal, anyone on board is covered by the BIG 4 fishing licence so you don’t need a personal fishing licence either! This is the ideal spot to pack a picnic lunch and just enjoy taking in the amazing scenery.
Houseboat Hire
If an afternoon on the water isn’t quite enough, you can always stay the night on the water – aboard a houseboat! With various houseboats available you could be living the dream and enjoying every corner this beautiful river has to offer. Catch your own fish off the boat and cook them up on your own BBQ, and afterwards pull up to your own private swimming spot! With plenty of space these boats will sleep 6-8 people, so bring another family along for twice as much fun!
Fishing
If you haven’t worked it out already, Deni and its Edward River are a fishers paradise and the area is renowned for its Murray Cod and Yellowbelly. Now we will be honest, we’re not massive fishers, but we hear your chances of catching the iconic Murray Cod in these waters is pretty high and brings people from all over trying to hook one!
You will need to get a NSW fishing licence which costs just $7 for a three day permit. With that in hand, you can fish to your hearts content – as long as you follow the size limit guidelines. You can sort out a licence and bait from the petrol stations in town or fishing stores. Alternatively you can purchase a licence on the spot online at Service NSW.
Where to stay in Deniliquin?
To save you the serious struggles of searching for the best accommodation options Deniliquin, we have compiled a list of them for you, simply click the property name to be taken to their booking page.
Please note these are affiliate links, which means you’re getting the cheapest price possible, however booking.com provide us a small commission for pointing you in their direction.
BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park
This is where we stayed and it is the ultimate choice for families, couples or really anyone! Its located right on the river and a lot of the rooms have an insane view directly over it. Aside from this the facilities here are second to none, they even have a water park and mini golf! They’re also the crew who offer pontoon hire, which is a must do!
Cottages on Edward
These lovely cottages have a quaint charm to them and they are set on the bank of the Edward River. The property offers a welcome cheese platter, breakfast baskets and barbecue facilities.
Centrepoint Motel
Located in the heart of Deni just one minute from the town centre this recently refurbished establishment is the best rated motel in the area.
This article was produced in partnership with Visit Deni.
For more information on Deni you should check out the absolute wealth of knowledge on the area at Visit Deni.
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