Your Guide to the River Country Art Trail
Five Murals, Five Towns and Plenty to Discover
Some road trips are planned down to the last stop. Others are better when you leave a little room to wander.
The River Country Art Trail links five towns across the western Murray region, connecting Moama, Mathoura, Barham, Moulamein and Tooleybuc through a series of large-scale public artworks.
Along the way you’ll follow rivers and backroads, pass through red gum country and find plenty of reasons to stop and explore.
You can drive the trail in a day, but it’s just as well suited to a relaxed weekend, with time to wander, take a few detours and discover more between the towns.
If you like your trails with a side of scenery, history and small-town charm, this one’s worth the detour.
Allow: 1 to 3 days
Distance: Approximately 271 km
Distance: Approximately 271 km
Start in Moama
The trail begins in Moama with Blue Crane and Friends, created by Japanese artist TWOONE.
Inspired by the local landscape, the artwork features the White-faced Heron, known locally as the Blue Crane, alongside native birdlife and river red gums. It’s a fitting place to start, with many of the landscapes and species you’ll see throughout the journey reflected in the piece.
Before heading off, take a walk around Horseshoe Lagoon. The wetlands are usually alive with birdlife and the walking tracks offer a quiet way to ease into the day. Grab a coffee from Hammond Providore, pick up a few supplies and then follow the Cobb Highway north.
It doesn’t take long for the scenery to change. River flats give way to open country and towering red gums, and before long you’ll find yourself arriving in Mathoura.
Stop in Mathoura and explore red gum country
30 minutes up the road, Mathoura is home to one of the trail’s most imaginative artworks.
Created by renowned Spanish artist Dulk, Guardians of the Murray celebrates the native wildlife and waterways that define this part of River Country. Featuring Murray Cod, Platypus and Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos this colorful, vibrant artwork is a must see while visiting Mathoura.
If you’ve got time, take a short drive out to Picnic Point in the Murray Valley National Park where towering red gums stretch in every direction and the river moves at its own pace. Wander a local walking track, take in the river views or pull over at a local spot for a picnic lunch.
Before you leave town, fuel up at The Timbercutter, where woodfired pizzas are a local favourite, or take a quick detour to the Reed Beds Bird Hide where the wetlands attract an array of visiting birdlife throughout the year.
Follow the river west to Barham
The next stop on the trail is the riverside town of Barham.
Here you’ll find Murray River at Dawn by Australian Artist Gus Eagleton.
The artwork draws together stories of the river, local history, First Nations connections and the communities that have grown alongside the Murray. Like each stop on the trail, it reflects something unique about the place it calls home.
Once you’ve taken in the artwork, spend some time exploring the town itself. Enjoy a local wine tasting at Barham Vines, browse local shops, or visit the Border Flywheelers Museum, to learn more about the area’s agricultural history.
From there, take a walk across the historic Barham-Koondrook Lift Span Bridge and spend some time along the riverfront in neighbouring Koondrook. The town’s timber milling history comes to life at the beautifully preserved Arbuthnot Sawmills, while the riverfront offers plenty of spots to slow down and take in the view.
If you’re ready for lunch, grab a table at Long Paddock Food Store before continuing your journey north.
Step back in time in Moulamein
The road then leads to Moulamein, where river history runs deep.
Home to Australia’s oldest inland river port, the town has long been shaped by the waterways that surround it, and that connection is reflected in Reflections of Moulamein, by Australian-Mongolian artist Heesco.
The artwork brings together local people, places and stories, offering a snapshot of the community and the landscape that continues to support it.
Spend some time wandering the historic streets, take a walk along the riverbank and settle in for a meal at the Tattersalls Hotel, before exploring the final stretch of the trail.
Finish in Tooleybuc
At the western end of the trail you’ll arrive in Tooleybuc home to Gathering the Bounty by artist Stuart Green.
Standing 11 metres tall, the work is different to the murals you’ll find elsewhere on the trail. Its sculptural form reflects the abundance of fruit grown in the region.
If you’ve timed your visit right, stay until dusk. As daylight fades, the sculpture takes on a different character, illuminated against the evening sky.
Before heading home, take a little extra time to explore nearby Murray Downs or settle in for a well-earned dinner at the Country Club Hotel in Tooleybuc. If you’re not quite ready for the journey to end, this corner of River Country is a good place to stay another night and continue exploring.
More than the artworks
The artworks provide a reason to take the trip, but they’re only part of what you’ll find along the way.
Between each stop are rivers, creeks and waterways, stretches of red gum country, historic pubs, local cafés and towns that each have their own rhythm and character.
Some places you’ll plan to visit.
Others you’ll discover because a sign caught your eye, a backroad looked worth exploring or someone pointed you towards a spot you hadn’t heard of.
That’s part of the appeal of River Country. You can follow the trail from one town to the next, or leave room for a few detours and see where they take you. One stop often leads to another.
Ready to start planning? Explore our itineraries and trails, discover places to say and start mapping out your own River Country road trip.
Use this as a starting point, stay a little longer and see where the next turn takes you.