Murray River Golf Guide – a road trip itinerary for the region

The Murray region is Australia’s home of golf so why not visit and enjoy the scenery and variety offered by its world-famous courses? Even in winter, the Murray’s glorious climate boasts more sunshine than the Gold Coast!

Along the Murray on either side of the New South Wales–Victoria border, there are plenty of unforgettable golfing experiences waiting for you. From top-rated Australian courses designed by golfing legends to well-loved courses in small towns (sometimes even with sand ‘greens’), there’s no shortage of golf to enjoy.

The team at Women’s Golf Magazine doesn’t mind a regional golfing holiday, in fact, sometimes we even favour it. Courses are less crowded and you can usually play at a fairly relaxed pace - which is exactly what we found on a recent mid-week trip to the Murray.

By the time you finish reading this guide, it will be time to pack your clubs, a few stylish golf outfits and start your engines.

Stay & Play at the Sebel Yarrawonga

Check-in at the lush Sebel Yarrawonga, a golf resort like no other along the Murray. On-site restaurants and top-class facilities will guarantee a comfortable stay. The Sebel is home to the par 7 Black Bull Course, co-designed by British Open champion and golf legend Peter Thomson. This course quickly developed legendary status for its location and layout. Après Golf activities? Book in for a relaxing dinner cruise on Lake Mulwala aboard the PS Cumberoona. Enjoy commentary about the history of the lake and its surrounding features.

Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club

Just a 6km drive from the Sebel lands you across the border to New South Wales where you can tee-off at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club. This excellent course is perched on Lake Mulwala and marked with historic river red gums and native animals. With 45 holes across three courses to choose from, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club is regarded as one of the top 100 courses in Australia.

Rich River Golf Club

From Yarrawonga, we recommend heading the 137 km west towards Echuca Moama to play the Rich River Golf Club. Stay the night at one of the reclaimed timber villas at the nearby Perricoota Vines Retreat – it’s a relaxing space where the river views are oh-so-pretty. Rich River Golf Club boasts two 18-hole championship Golf courses complemented with a 17-bay driving range, practice areas, an 18 hole Mini Golf course and Golfing Simulator to enhance our clubs offerings.

Murray Downs Golf and Country Club

Follow the path of the Murray downstream to Swan Hill. It’s about a two-hour drive so make sure you enjoy a delightful breakfast in Echuca before you depart.

Once in Swan Hill, head around the corner to the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club. It’s another lovely place for a stay-and-play golf escape in the Murray region.

Stroll from your room to the first tee at Murray Downs -a previous winner of Victorian PGA course of the year. The Murray Downs is a par 72 Championship Course that boasts wide fairways, flat greens and a couple of monster sand bunkers that test the nerve of all who dare to go near. 

Getting there

There’s no denying the region is massive - it’s about 600 kms from one end to the other, but that also means it’s nestled between Melbourne and Sydney/Canberra and Adelaide to a lesser extent.

Approx. self-drive times from Melbourne to the Murray River Region

• Mildura – 6hr
• Swan Hill – 4hr
• Echuca Moama – 2.5hr
• Yarrawonga Mulwala – 3hr
• Albury Wodonga – 3.5hr