| The Riverland in South Australia seems almost like it | | | | place where nobody takes themselves too seriously- |
| could be custom designed for a campervan holiday. | | | | probably helped along by the fact that all the garbage |
| Picture this: rolling countryside divided into a | | | | cans in town are the shape of oranges! As it is an |
| patchwork of lush orchards, where exotic fruits such | | | | internationally recognised destination for hang gliders, |
| as olives, citrus, garlic, apricots and grapes hang off | | | | on any given day the skies are dotted with these |
| the vine and branch. Splitting the region in two is the | | | | large, silent planes gliding high above the surface. A |
| mighty Murray River, which flows past high limestone | | | | number of majestic old sandstone buildings on the |
| cliffs and expansive wetlands, breathing life into the | | | | main street add to its character, and you can find |
| fertile soils and giving character to the countryside. A | | | | out all about the town and the surrounding |
| number of small towns in the Riverland provide bases | | | | attractions at the Orange Tree Information Centre, |
| for the fruit and fresh produce industry (one of the | | | | located right on the Sturt highway. A trip to the |
| biggest in Australia), and it is in these that you can | | | | Scenic Lookout is especially enthralling- perched atop |
| find hospitable caravan parks to base your | | | | high cliffs it offers stunning views of the Murray |
| motorhome in. The scenic riches around you and the | | | | River. |
| laid back, accommodating atmosphere in the towns | | | | Travelling through Australia you may have seen the |
| will ensure that your tour of the Riverland is one | | | | 'Berri' insignia on various fruit juice products. Well, the |
| you'd like to repeat again and again. | | | | town of Berri is in the Riverlands, and its the source |
| The Riverland extends for 300 kilometres, marked at | | | | of all these tasty juices. A visit to the town will take |
| each end by the townships of Waikerie and | | | | you past the 'Big Orange', the ubiquitous tourist |
| Renmark. The former is the closest to Adelaide, and | | | | attraction that commemorates the main local |
| is reached by an easy two and a half hours drive | | | | industry- which here is of course the citrus and fruit |
| from there- an easy drive through picturesque | | | | industry. There s a tower and a museum, and great |
| countryside. At the centre of the region is Barmera, | | | | views from the top of the 'orange'! After a visit |
| which is the biggest town in the Riverland and | | | | there head on to Berri Ltd, where their products are |
| undoubtedly the commercial centre. At 221 kilometres | | | | for sale, and you can find out the process fruit goes |
| from Adelaide, its a bit far for a daytrip- but just | | | | through from the vine to the juice bottle! |
| perfect for a weekend away! | | | | Of course you cannot visit the Riverlands without |
| Barmera sits on the shores of Lake Bonney, and | | | | indulging in the feature that gives the region its name |
| water sports enthusiasts take full advantage of this | | | | - the Murray River. Whether its enjoying a barbeque |
| fact. On any given day the lake's horizon will be | | | | on the grassy banks under the a shady tree, or hiring |
| dotted with the sails of boats and windsurfers and | | | | a boat and some fishing rods and getting out for a |
| boats towing wakeboarders, water-skiers and other | | | | bit of fishing, the Murray is the perfect place to |
| strange inflatable contraptions regularly zoom past. | | | | recharge and forget about all of your stresses. |
| Yacht races are regularly organised, attracting crowds | | | | Houseboats are also a popular form of escape on its |
| of enthusiasts and spectators. The lake is big enough | | | | wide and smooth waters, and a great way to finish |
| that there are still areas of peace and quiet where | | | | off a day is with an evening cruise- nothing beats |
| anglers can try their luck with the many species of | | | | watching the sun go down with a drink in hand, |
| fish lurking beneath the surface. If you can tear | | | | serenely floating down the river. |
| yourself away from the lake there are a number of | | | | That's actually a good word to sum up the whole |
| fun ways to entertain yourself in the town. A | | | | Riverland region- serene. Its a place big enough to |
| favourite place to visit is the Rocky Country Music | | | | see something new everyday, but small enough that |
| Hall of Fame, which was established to honour local | | | | you dont have to travel too far in your campervan |
| country legend Dean 'Rocky' Page. Inside is a huge | | | | for a change of scene. Theres plenty of places to |
| collection of memorabilia and instruments, | | | | stay, every town has its share of caravan and |
| commemorating all the Australian greats such as Slim | | | | tourist parks. So forget about your worries and head |
| Dusty. | | | | to the Riverland for that break you've been craving |
| On your tour of the region Waikerie is a town you | | | | all this time! |
| should definitely call into. It gives the impression of a | | | | |