Edward River canoe and kayak trail
Murray Valley National Park
Overview
Edward River canoe and kayak trail in Murray Valley National Park is a great paddling spot with camping, picnic, and swimming opportunities. It's also equipped with a wheelchair-accessible kayak launch.
- Where
- Murray Valley National Park
- Distance
- 61km of trails
- Time suggested
- 2 days
- Price
- Free
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- There's a wheelchair-accessible kayak launch at Edward River Bridge to help people with mobility restrictions get in and out of the water safely.
- Tent-based camping along Edward River is free
Kayaking or canoeing Edward River in Murray Valley National Park is a great adventure that awaits you. Spend a few hours on the river, a whole day, or organise a multi-day journey and camp as you go at various places along the way. There are so many options.
Edward River is a peaceful, lesser-known alternative to the nearby Murray River, so it’s ideal for paddlers of all age groups and experience levels. It also allows you to escape the summer crowds that can flock to Murray River during the holidays and over long weekends. Along Edward River canoe and kayak trail are beaches and swimming spots, which are great places to stop and have a picnic.
Edward River lies within the traditional lands of the Wamba Wamba and Perrepa Perrepa Nations. The traditional name for the river is ‘Kolety’ (pronounced ‘kol-etch’).
Also see
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Sculpture in the Red Gums
Sculpture in the Red Gums is in Murray Valley Regional Park at Edward River Bridge picnic area. It’s a unique way to learn about the rich history of the many different ways people use forests.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/canoeing-paddling-experiences/edward-river-canoe-and-kayak-trail/local-alerts
Park info
- in Murray Valley National Park in the Murray-Riverina region
Murray Valley National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Edward River canoe and kayak trail.
Getting there and parking
Edward River canoe and kayak trail is in the Gulpa, Deniliquin, Tuppal and Kyalite precincts of Murray Valley National Park. To get there:
- To the east of Mathoura, take Picnic Point Road 7km to the Tocumwal (Murray Valley trail) turn-off.
- Travel another 2.7km to Edwards Bridge
- Paddle 5km upstream to the mouth of Edward River, where a weir controls the water level.
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Edward River canoe and kayak trail can become boggy when it rains.
Parking
Parking is available along the route, a short walk from Edward River.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Murray Valley National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
The perfect time for a camping holiday: the days are cooler and the nights are not yet too chilly.
Spring
If it's been a wet winter white ibis and straw necked ibis will be nesting from late winter through to spring.
Summer
A great time for water activities on the Murray - swimming in the river is a delightful way to spend your time.
Winter
The morning light sparkles on the river; try your hand at fishing for Murray cray.
Facilities
- Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
- You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Nearby towns
Deniliquin (26 km)
Take time out to visit Murray Valley National Park, admire the serene wetlands and towering river red gums. Go for a walk or ride the Gulpa Creek track, bring your canoe or kayak along for a spot of paddling or head to Reed Beds bird hide for a spot of birdwatching.
Hay (129 km)
This exciting and innovative exhibition space uses contemporary design and cutting edge technology to tell the story of Australian sheep shearing. You'll meet the shearers, shed hands, cooks, classers, cockies, sheep and dogs behind the legends at this sparkling gallery-museum in Hay.
Moama (38 km)
Part of the largest continuous red gum forest in the world, this region is an important place for Aboriginal people. Keep your eyes open for Aboriginal sites, especially middens, oven mounds and scarred trees, where bark has been removed from the tree to make canoes, coolamons and shields.
Learn more
Edward River canoe and kayak trail is in Murray Valley National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal heritage
The river red gum forests of the Murray Valley are the traditional Country for Aboriginal people. The landscape and all that it contains; rivers, forests, birds and animals are part of cultural beliefs and feature in Dreaming stories. The park provided a wealth of resources, including plants that were used as medicines and in tool making. The river was a rich food source; in some seasons the water was so clear and the fish plentiful. When you're exploring the park, keep your eyes open for Aboriginal sites, especially middens, oven mounds and scarred trees, where bark has been removed from the tree to make canoes, coolamons and shields.
An abundance of treasures
The Ramsar-listed Murray Valley wetland is home to over 60 threatened native animal species and 40 threatened plant species. Lay down the paddle of your canoe and sit in the silence, enjoying the company of egrets and cormorants, and keep an eye out for the superb parrot, slender and bright green. You may also see night herons, black swans, yellow rosellas, ducks, falcons, cockatoos, tree creepers, pardalotes, kingfishers and owls - this is truly a bird-lover's paradise.
- Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
- Murray River canoe trails These 4 canoe trails in Murray Valley National Park and Victoria’s Barmah National Park offer something for every paddler. Canoe the flowing Murray River, secluded creeks or Barmah Lake.
- Reed Beds Bird Hide boardwalk It’s an easy walk along the boardwalk to Reed Beds Bird Hide, with fun things to do along the way. Listen to see how many different bird calls you can hear on the way.
Forestry history
The magnificent river red gums have made this an important area for forestry and milling since the mid-nineteenth century. By the 1870's, construction of railway lines brought great demand for red gum sleepers; logging became a key feature of this area's industry. Wood-chopping events have long been a feature of local festivals and many people who live in Mathoura are third and fourth-generation timber workers.
- Gulpa Creek walk Gulpa Creek walk, in Murray Valley Regional Park, is an easy path to walk along with your dog and great for birdwatching with opportunities to go canoeing or kayaking, not far from Mathoura.
River red gum country
This iconic landscape features the huge river red gums soaring from the banks of the Murray and wetlands that make up this part of the Riverina's important ecosystem. This new park, formed from a number of former state forests, is part of the largest continuous river red gum forest in the southern hemisphere and is an important and unique ecosystem.
- Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
- Ski Beach picnic area Ski Beach picnic area is a fantastic spot to picnic with your family at the old Murray River punt site, and only minutes from town. The picnic area, in Murray Valley Regional Park, boasts a great river view with a sandy beach, and river red gum shade.
Plants and animals you may see
Animals
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Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
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Eastern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
Found across most of NSW, the eastern snake-necked turtle, also known as the eastern long-necked turtle, can be found in swamps, lakes and inland waterways. This freshwater turtle is carnivorous and lives most of its life submerged on the water’s edge, searching for worms and snails.
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Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
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Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
Plants
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River red gum (Eucalpytus camaldulnesis)
Australian native plants, majestic river red gum trees are widespread across Australian inland river systems. The river red gum is a dominant tree species of the Murray-Darling basin which spans NSW, Queensland and Victoria. This iconic native eucalypt grows to a height of 30m and is thought to have a lifespan up to 500-1000 years.
