Murray River Trails Walk - Winemakers Edition

12km walking  |  12km river cruising

Discover The Murray River, listed in National Geographic’s 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025!

Meet your guides at 8.00 am at the Hotel Renmark’s function room for a pre-walk briefing before we board the pontoon “cruiser” boat for a 14 km cruise along the Murray River to the start of the walking route.

Discover the lagoons that are havens for waterbirds, learn about the site of a World War II Japanese internment camp and cross creeks that feed the red gum forests and box woodlands. A gentle climb through the cliffs reveals a magnificent view of the vast Murray River floodplain that will surround you over the next 3 days. A short transfer across the river in the cruiser and you have arrived at your destination.

Your Boat Host will welcome you aboard the houseboat where you can settle in – before a cooling foot dip in the river or a hot spa followed by a 3-course dinner paired with local wines.

Sheridan Alm - Starrs Reach Vinyard

Sheridan Alm is a prominent, award-winning viticulturalist and manager at Starrs Reach Vineyard. Sheridan’s passion is the sustainable use of the Murray River and her focus on environmental stewardship is proving the region's potential for premium, fresh, alternative variety wines. She emphasizes biodiversity, smart technology, and water management, earning accolades including Viticulturalist of the Year at the Australian Women in Wine Awards in 2019.

Three standout achievements

• Wetland Restoration: A founding member of the Yatco Wetland Landcare Group.

• Sustainability: Sheridan integrates native vegetation, beneficial insects, and solar power for a holistic, eco-friendly approach, reducing reliance on chemicals.

• Leadership: Former Chair of the Riverland Winegrape Growers Association and Riverland Wine Industry Person of the Year in 2022

14km walking  |  10km cruising

Rise before the sun and walk a gentle slope to the rim of the Murray River valley for a spectacular sunrise. See colours appear and marvel at the journey route below before returning to the houseboat for a cooked breakfast. Depart again for the daily walk discovering Aboriginal canoe trees, giant red gum forests and small islands along leafy Amazon Creek.

Arriving at your floating home you’ll enjoy a local tasting plate as you dip your feet in the cool waters of the Murray River.

Eric Semmler - 919 Wines

Eric and Jenny Semmler established 919 Wines in 2002 when boutique winemaking was in its infancy in the Riverland. Eric was awarded Riverland Winemaker of the Year in 2008, and Winestate Australian Winemaker of the Year in 2013. His most recent awards include Riverland Wine Show Best Fortified Wine, Winestate Organic Wine of the Year and Winestate Fortified Wine of the Year.

Three standout achievements

• Pioneer: Eric’s career started with Brown Brothers of Milawa, All Saints of Rutherglen and Auldstone of Glenrowan, before moving to the Riverland as Senior Fortified Winemaker at BRL Hardy where he won numerous awards.

• Innovation: Eric and Jenny Semmler have been instrumental in shifting the Riverland wine industry focus from cool climate varieties to warm climate varieties well suited to the Riverland’s terroir.

• Leadership: Eric makes wine for several Riverland boutique wine brands enabling grape growers and viticulturists to grow their business model and promote the Riverland wine industry

10km walking  |  18km cruising

Awake to the mists on the water and enjoy a great coffee, local navel oranges and tasty breakfast followed by a briefing on the Murray Darling Basin and the management of its network of rivers which drain 14% of Australia. Today we cruise to the Chowilla Creek Environmental Regulator to learn about environmental watering and new stewardship for the river, before setting off on our walk.

You’ll walk along Chowilla Creek, restored wetlands and visit the proposed site of the 1960’s Chowilla Dam.

In the afternoon we celebrate completing our walking journey from Queens Bend Cliffs before cruising to the houseboat as the late afternoon sun illuminates the red cliffs.

Ashley Ratcliff- Ricca Terra Wines

As a viticulturist and winemaker, Ashley is unashamedly authentic and unafraid to fail. He started his career almost three decades ago, working with big names in Australian wine, including Orlando and Yalumba, and in 2003 he established Ricca Terra Wines to celebrate and redefine the potential of a warm wine region – the Riverland. Since launching Ricca Terra, Ashley has been named Viticulturist of the Year by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and Gourmet Traveller WINE, and Riverland Winemaker of the Year.

Three standout achievements.

• Disruption: Doing the opposite of others, when others planted Shiraz Ashley planted Fiano.

• Leadership: In a region known for its bulk and cheaper wines, Ashley created and launched the first $100 bottle of wine with 100% Riverland fruit in 2024.

• Inspiration: Ashley has created a secure future for small vineyards planted in a World War I Soldier Settlement in the Riverland, by launching the Soldiers Land label in 2021 and creating outstanding single varietals from 90+ year old Grenache, Riesling and Shiraz grapes. A portion of all sales goes to the Returned Soldiers League

Optional 2km walk  |  23km cruise

After breakfast take a self-guided 2 km walk along the river, before cruising in the pontoon boat through Lock 6. Experience a gentle drop in the water level of 3 metres.

Rejoining the houseboat downstream, you will cruise for 2 hours on the houseboat to the innovative Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery, set in a 100 year old shearing shed on the banks of the river.

Enjoy lunch on the Woolshed decking that overlooks the river. A fine barbecue has been prepared by your guides before saying your farewells.

You will depart for Renmark by bus and arrive at the Hotel Renmark at 2.00 pm.