Murray River, River system in Southeastern Australia
The Murray River is a waterway in southeastern Australia that flows over 2500 kilometers from the Australian Alps to Lake Alexandrina, crossing through New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. The water moves through forests, agricultural regions, and dry plains, with the landscape along its banks changing with each section.
European explorers charted the waterway from the early 1800s onward, which sparked its development as a main trading route for paddle steamers. These vessels carried wool, grain, and passengers between the growing settlements along the banks.
The waterway carries the name of British colonial secretary George Murray, though Aboriginal peoples know it by many older names that change along its course. These names reflect the spiritual importance the waterway has held for people here over thousands of years.
Boating trips and houseboats offer one of the most relaxed ways to experience the water and the landscape along the banks, while four marked paddling trails suit canoe journeys. National parks along the waterway provide walking tracks and access to quieter sections that work well for birdwatching.
The waterway supports over 350 bird species, making it one of the most important bird habitats on the continent. It also forms the heart of the Murray-Darling basin, which covers roughly one-seventh of Australia's total land mass.
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