Murray Bridge

Murray Bridge SA 5253 (Pop 15 00)

Murray Bridge is a sprawling rural service centre on the Murray River 75 km s-e of Adelaide. Originally occupied by the Ngarrindjeri Aborigines, the town was established when a bridge (therefore the town’s name) was built over the river (1879). Today, Murray Bridge is an important dairying, livestock, poultry and agricultural area. Water-ski Race (Oct), Steam Rally Festival (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Murray Bridge includes the Roundhouse (1874), Bridgeport Hotel (1884), Bells Store (1884), Railway Station (1886), Old Pump House (1897). Captain's Cottage Museum, Thomas St (1890) features local historic memorabilia, photographs and machinery. Open (10am-4pm) Sat/Sun/Pub Hols. Sturt Reserve, Murray Cod Dr, pretty recreational area.

Nearby:
Avoca Dell (5 km upstream) great waterskiing, boating and recreational facilities. Swanport Wetlands (5 km east) scenic reserve with walkways and bird hides. Sunnyside Reserve Lookout (10 km east) spectacular river and wetland views. Wellington (32 km south) picturesque village where Lake Alexandrina meets the Murray River and with an interesting museum housed within the old Courthouse. Karoonda (66 km east) where a meteorite fell nearby in 1930, sits in the heart of mallee country surrounded by the Bakara Plains limestone caves and walking trails.

Accommodation:
Murray Bridge has 4 motels, a couple of hotels, several holiday cottages/cabins, 2 B&Bs, 6 caravan parks and houseboats for hire. Visitor Information Centre: 3 South Tce. Tel (08) 8539 1142.

Airport:
Adelaide Airport (ADL), 1 James Schofield Dr, Adelaide Airport. Tel (08) 8308 9211. (81 km west).

Hospital:
Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Swanport Rd. Tel (08) 8535 6777.