Slow food along the Murray

Fast facts

• The Murray River system flows for more than 2,500 km
• The twin towns of Albury-Wodonga are about 545 km south of Sydney
  

Why go there

Thanks to an irrigation network and a post-war influx of European settlers, the Murray River environs never fail to set the gastronomic juices flowing. A hub of citrus and stone fruit production, the river runs through Rutherglen, famous for its fortified wines, and the Riverland where a quarter of the nation's wine grapes are grown.

Sitting either side of the Hume Highway - where the busiest highway crosses our greatest river - are Albury and Wodonga. They grew up as both river ports and rail heads.

The blend of European food culture and a bounty of locally grown ingredients created truly regional cuisine. The European food experience - still dominant around centres, such as Milawa and Mildura - influences and educates the palates to this day.

Things to do

Fresh is best at the Hume Murray Farmers' Market held every second Saturday at Wodonga.

Be inspired by the food and wine matches on offer at The Epicurean Centre at Brown Brothers Winery at Milawa.

Taste perfection at Chambers Winery in Rutherglen where the Rare Muscat and Rare Tokay wines rated 100 out of 100 by the world's most influential wine judge, Robert Parker Jnr.

Enjoy an Italian-style family feast at Stefano's Restaurant in the cellar of Mildura's Grand Hotel, cooked by Slow Food movement apostle, Stefano de Pieri.

Pick of the crops at Belstack Strawberry Farm, Murray Bank yabby farm, Fruits at Stanley or the Farm Gate Trail around Cobram-Barooga.

Don't miss

• Hume Weir Trout Farm at Albury.
• The legendary breakfasts at Albury's retro, funky Electra Cafe.
• Paula Jenkin's French-style goat cheeses at Rutherglen's Indigo Cheese Co.
• Dining on the historic Emmylou paddle-steamer while cruising the Murray out of Echuca.
• ‘Feastreet’ in Mildura's Langtree Avenue.
  

Events

• Albury-Wodonga Region Food & Wine Festival in October.
• Rutherglen three-day Winery Walkabout in June.
• Mildura Beer & Blues Festival in April. Wails and ales for all.
• Echuca-Moama Riverboats, Jazz, Food & Wine Festival in February.
• Murray River International Music Festival from January to March.