The Waikerie Visitor Information Centre, located within Orange Tree Giftmania on the Sturt Highway, is the ideal stopping off point for all visitors to the Riverland. It provides comprehensive tourist Information of the region and is open 7 days a week.

Available for purchase is fresh fruit, the best local dried fruits, olive oils, jams, sauces and choc dipped fruits along with an extensive choice of diabetic products, non-alcoholic wines and a large range of Waikerie and Australian souvenirs.

Sample country fresh scones topped with jam and cream with a cappuccino or a pot of tea whilst viewing a video about the River Murray's journey from the Snowy Mountains to the Goolwa Mouth. Then climb the spiral staircase to the River Viewing Platform.

Waikerie is one of Australia's leading soaring centres, offering the best in weather and facilities.

The centre offers the full range of training including air experience flights; beginners courses; cross country training together with an excellent club house and facilities.

Air experience flights are also available for those who wish to view the meandering river and patchwork countryside from the air. For a very reasonable fee you can fly in one of the modern two seater gliders with an experienced instructor.

jimmyb water sports offers an extensive range of water sports equipment for hire.

With its uncrowded waterways, the Riverland is still the best inland spot to get wet. Based in Waikerie and within close proximity of the Murray River, jimmyb water sports provides the ideal opportunity to explore the wide stretches or narrow creeks by kayak or try something different behind your boat.

Some of the equipment for hire includes single or double kayaks, wakeboards, sky ski, flying manta ray, kneeboards, wakeskates, skis, tubes plus more. Lifejackets and other safety equipment are also available.

The Museum houses over 1,000 fascinating memorabilia from the past and includes a Library of books, videos and tapes for loan along with a bar for refreshments.
Open Mon-Fri, 12pm to 5pm. Other times by appointment.

8 ball competition every Thursday at 1.30pm; Bingo sessions weekly - Thursday 7.30pm one week and Wednesday 1.30pm alternate week.

Snooker, billards, 8 ball, darts and cards are other activities available.

The community of Waikerie created Santa's Cave in 1996 to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. The Waikerie Institute is transformed each year into a wonderland full of colourful displays, thousands of fairy lights, Christmas trees, the Nativity and lots of baubles that sparkle and shine.

Santa officially takes up residence after the Community Christmas Pageant on the last Friday of November each year. The cave is open daily from then until Christmas Eve and is free admission to all.

During 2003, in excess of 9,000 visitors were captivated by this Christmas display. Every child that visits Santa receives a gift.

Following the resounding success of Music on the Murray 2003 which was presented on the river barges, Waikerie is to host another of these spectacular events on the weekend of March 19 th to 20 th 2005. This night will feature the return of the magnificent Julie Anthony along with a 200 voice joint choir from the Riverland and Adelaide and will be supported by the Adelaide Art Orchestra.

A major Art exhibition and competition with the theme of river health will run all weekend

Sunday will feature a youth “Big Day Out” with many supporting events.

The Preservation Society Inc has over 100 members who collect and restore stationary engines, tractors, machinery and memorabilia of yester year.

Meetings are held in the clubrooms on the first Friday of each month and the museum has running days on the Saturdays of the June and October long weekends (even years only) and on the odd years the Hit n' Miss Rally is held. See below for more details. On the run days you can expect to see displays including running engines, machinery, sheep shearing, tractors and various other displays and collectables. It is a great family day in a delightful picnic area, providing a range of food and drinks for sale along with a trading table.

The museum is open by appointment. See contact details

This Rally is staged by the Waikerie and Districts Machinery Preservation Society Inc and is a unique event held at Benson Park, 13kms east of Waikerie in a rural setting. The Rally gives insight into life on the land many years ago and for older folk a trip nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The Rally includes machinery exhibits (over 350 entries last year), the popular tractor pull, working exhibits, demonstrations of sheep shearing, grain crushing, chaff cutting, stone crushing, hay binding and horse ploughing, brick making displays, a fruit growers corner, static farm machinery, collectables shed, Old Benson store and more. Exhibits include tractors, engines, vechicles etc. There is something for all ages and it is fully catered.

The Rally is a bi-annual event. The next one is scheduled for 17th and 18th September 2005.

Take a visit to Benson Park and go back in time and discover a different lifestyle on this century old property.

At Benson Park you can experience the Australian bush whilst gaining an appreciation for horses. Many safe trail riding options are available and all take in breathtaking views of the majestic River Murray. Twilight rides are available during the summer months.

Other attractions to the Park is their Bush Banquets which includes a 3 course camp over dinner with nibbles and hor d'oeurvres on arrival; children's birthday parties; bush walking and old fashioned games and puzzles in the barn.

Open every weekend. Other days by arrangement. Bookings essential.

The Rain Moth Gallery provides an excellent selection of hand-crafted gifts by artisans and artists from around South Australia.

Many and varied exhibitions are staged throughout the year ranging from paintings to glassware.

A great selection of Riverland tourist information is also available and volunteers are on hand to help tourists discover the many features of Waikerie and beyond.

Opening times - weekdays 10:30am to 2:30pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm.

Cruise the backwaters of the River Murray in the M.V.Water Rat or try Camel trekking through the Murray's semi-desert, river flats and clifflines.

Whatever activity you choose, Rex Ellis, an experienced bush naturalist and Australia's longest operating safari guide will give expert interpretation on the flora, fauna and history surrounding the region. Extra options include fishing, swimming, walking, great bush camps, yarns and excellent tucker.

Various itineraries are available depending upon the season so visit their website for further information.

Ph: 08 8543 2280
www.safarico.com.au

Always a great event held over the first weekend in May each year. It attracts many dancers along with car and motorbike enthusiasts from far and wide.

Throughout the weekend there are live bands, dance demonstrations, a street parade, markets, raffles, prizes, various entertainment and great catering. The feature is the Rock 'n' Roll Extravaganza on Saturday night. This is always a great night of fun with music provided by a top Adelaide Rock 'n' Roll band. So come along, dress up and win great prizes.

Don't miss Waikerie's 12th Rock 'n' Roll Festival - First weekend in May 2005.

Contact Lucy Ph: 08 8541 2332 or Henry Curtis Ph: 0402 891 221

Gluepot Reserve is Australia's largest community owned and managed conservation reserve. Situated 64 km from the River Murray in South Australia's Riverland it comprises 54,390 ha.and is home to 17 nationally threatened species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and 12 species of bats, some of which are threatened.

Visitors can participate in research and monitoring projects where practical. Three camping grounds are available. 14 marked walking trails lead through the variety of mallee and casuarina woodlands. The Reserve is well suited to 2WD vehicles and mountain bikes. Five large elevated bird hides overlooking-watering troughs are situated strategically around the Reserve. Good maps are provided.

Visitors need to pick up a gate key at the Waikerie Shell Service Station.

Contact Reserve Rangers on Ph/Fax: 08 8892 8600 or
Email; gluepotreserve@bigpond.com

Scotts Creek, adjacent to the River Murray, is just 7km downstream from the South Australian township of Morgan. In 1851 the flood plains were first used by the early settlers to graze sheep.

Today, Scotts Creek is one of Australia's largest wetland projects, with the aim of returning the 870 hectares to its natural state. Already the signs are very encouraging, with a wide variety of native plants and animals thriving in their natural habitat.

A close neighbour to the wetlands is 400 hectares of Heritage Scrub, a protected area with a different ecosystem of flora and fauna, providing a home for animals like wombats, kangaroos and emus.

www.scottscreekwines.com.au

Experience the self guided walking trails featuring a series of Story Centres, Information Huts and Birdhides where you can get up close to spectacular restored wetlands, mallee and wildlife. 2.5km and 8km trails available. Sit back and relax on the spacious deck and enjoy Australian cuisine and Banrock Station wine while overlooking the magnificent panoramic views.

Open 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday)

Holmes Road, Kingston-On-Murray
Phone: 08 8583 0299
www.banrockstation.com.au

Experience the enjoyment of golf at the Waikerie Golf Club where tradition meets great country hospitality..

The course features 18 holes of beautiful bent grass greens, gently undulating lush fairways with fully automated night time watering.

Full bar facilities are available and electric carts and club are available for hire. Functions can be catered for including trade days with discounts for large groups.

Playford Road, Sunlands via Waikerie
Ph: 08 8541 9072
www.riverlandgolf.com.au/Waikerie.htm

As part of the overall Salinity and Drainage Strategy for the Murray Basin, salt interception schemes have been constructed at Woolpunda and Waikerie. The schemes are designed to lower long term average river salinity levels at Morgan.

The Stockyard Reserve has an area of 1870 ha and is located 12km south west from Waikerie.

Camping is allowed by a permit system. There are two camping sites with water, toilet and shower facilities.

12kms South West from Waikerie
Contact SA Water Corporation
Ph: 08 8595 2262

1. Call into the Orange Tree Visitor Information Centre on the Sturt Highway. Enjoy a cappuccino, watch the educational video on the River Murray whilst you gather Information and Maps on Waikerie & the whole Riverland. Climb the winding staircase & see the spectacular views from the rooftop.
   
2. Walk along the scenic Riverfront, see the Lions Pioneeer Park with BBQ facilities & observe the Houseboats available for hire: Jensta plus Green & Gold with their new luxurious 3 story houseboat – the 1 st in the Riverland. Walk in the opposite direction & you'll find the Town Lookout with the Rotary Cliff Top Walk offering excellent photo opportunities.
   
3. After all that activity have a most enjoyable rest and visit the Murray River Queen, Waikerie's own unique floating Motel on the Riverfront by the Ferry. Enjoy fine dining in the Restaurant, a light lunch or coffee on the back deck Café or indulge in the fabulous Riverland Boutique Wine Tastings & Sales.
   
4. Visit the local Chocolate Factory – Havenhand Chocolates on Peake Tce. Taste & Purchase quality handmade Riverland Fruit Chocolates.
   
5. See the Rain Moth Gallery which has regular exhibitions of visiting & local artists, ceramics, pottery and paintings. Local information is available here. The new Interpretive Centre is nearing completion and is located immediately behind the Gallery. An educational “must see”.
   
6. Wander up & down the shopping centre, browse in the stores & have a cappucino or icecream at one of the delightful country cafes. Then play the Pokies at the newly renovated Waikerie Hotel and enjoy a delicious meal with an extensive choice of fabulous wines.
   
7. Visit Gluepot Reserve, the famous birdwatcher's paradise. Allow a full day for this & pick up the key at the Shell Service Station.
   
8. Do the Scenic Tour to Stockyard Plains & learn about the Salt Interception Scheme for the River Murray. The key is available at the Orange Tree.
   
9. For the active we have an excellent Golf Course in lush surroundings and an International standard Gliding Club for that “something different” to try.
   
10. Another 2 full day Scenic Tours have been developed taking in Broken Cliffs at Taylorville, Lock 2, lunch at Mallyon's - a unique Organic Bush Café with Gallery travelling on to the historic town of Morgan, coming home via Cadell & Sunlands through lush vineyards & orchards. OR turn RIGHT in the opposite direction at the Taylorville turnoff. See Overland Corner with their historic Hotel & visit Banrock Station, the famous wine & ecological wetland establishment with Boardwalks – not to be missed.

Your enquiries are welcome - Email: Waikerie VIC