Tony Sharley of Murray River Trails values the balance of tourism and conservation.
GRW: What's your earliest bushwalking memory?
On a geology tour of New Zealand in 1979 our group from Roseworthy Ag College in South Australia were on a 15km walk through Tongariro National Park when the idea arose to climb Mount Ngauruhoe as a sidewalk, so we did and it took 2 hours to climb up the scree of an active volcano onto the rim, and it took 15 minutes to run down. We felt great. However, this made the remaining 12km back to Park HQ in Ohakune a real challenge, and despite the spectacular surrounds I soon realised how under-prepared we were as pain crept into every downhill step. Everything from our shoes, clothing, the amount of water and food we carried were inappropriate and it was only the fitness of being 20 years old that enabled us to survive without serious injury.
GRW: What got you into the walking tour business?
The catalyst to start a multi-day walk on the Murray was the Millennium Drought which devastated our local economy. Our aim was to help diversify our local economy, which is dependent on water for irrigation, while helping walkers from across Australia and the world to appreciate and understand the importance of a river system that drains an area four times the size of New Zealand.
GRW: Why should someone book a tour in this region rather than DIY?
For all the Murray’s 2,500km of winding forests from the snowy mountains through the arid inland of Australia and out to the Southern Ocean, multi-day walking trails are not a feature. Our four-day guided walk is the perfect opportunity to gain access to the most remote and beautiful part of the river system, where guides will show you the conservation initiatives that have produced remarkable changes, where wetlands are thriving, and help you identify the birds and plants that benefit from precious environmental water. Our purpose-built luxury houseboat allows you to stay on the river each night in comfort and in spectacular surrounds.
GRW: Where do you take your clients?
Starting in the historic town of Renmark, South Australia, we venture upstream into one of the most picturesque stretches of the Murray, the Riverland Ramsar Wetlands which includes the icon site Chowilla Floodplain. Our guests follow the riverbanks and traverse red sandy cliffs with spectacular views, red gum forests, narrow creeks, and peaceful billabongs rich with waterbirds. They complete a 40km walk of 10 to 14km per day along the river over three days and cruise through 70km of meandering waterways on our pontoon cruiser and eco-houseboat.
GRW: Why do you love the area you explore?
Having grown up here, I am particularly proud to have helped conserve the wetlands in this region whilst working as a Catchment Scientist with the Murray Darling Basin Commission, and later chairing the Community Reference Panel that helped develop the Riverland Ramsar Wetland Management Plan.
GRW: What's a highlight of your clients’ trip?
There are many, spectacular reflections at sunset, a sunrise walk onto the cliffs, the local food and award-winning wines at dinner, friendly knowledgeable guides, the tally of bird sightings over four days, the comfort of our new eco-houseboat with ensuite bathrooms, the peace and quiet.
GRW: Are you finding Murray River Walk is becoming well known?
Being one of the Great Walks of Australia has helped enormously, we’ve also had national recognition winning eco-tourism awards. Now in our 9th year of operation, we find many of our guests are referrals from previous guests and we also have guests that return to do the walk again, curious to see how the landscape has changed, especially after the 2022 flood.
Words and photos_ Tony Sharley