The Riverland follows the River Murray for 9,386 square kilometres, from the border with New South Wales and Victoria down to Blanchetown, so choosing where to stay mostly means choosing a river town. Riverland accommodation here is led by caravan and holiday parks, and four are listed on this site.
Each park sits in a different town: Renmark, Berri, Barmera and Loxton. We have set out what each offers, how the climate affects your timing, and how far you will drive to arrive.
The river towns to base yourself in
The major town centres are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Waikerie, Barmera and Monash, with many smaller townships between them. About 35,000 people live in the region. The area is known for Murray River houseboating, citrus orchards and Berri and Renmark as stepping-stone towns.
Renmark is the oldest. It was the first district established in the region, in 1887 by the Chaffey Brothers. Berri and Loxton grew later, through soldier settlement schemes, and most towns began life as separate irrigation districts. That history is why the region feels like a string of small, self-contained centres rather than one big town.
For wider planning, our Riverland destination guide covers the region as a whole, and the Riverland accommodation page is the broader starting point for stays.
Caravan and holiday parks in the Riverland
Four parks are listed, and all offer powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
Renmark
Discovery Parks - Renmark Riverfront is a caravan park in Renmark, in the Renmark Paringa Council area. Renmark is also home to the annual Rose Festival, a 10-day event each October, so it is wise to ask about availability if your dates overlap.
Berri
BIG4 Berri Riverside Holiday Park is a holiday park in Berri, in the Berri Barmera Council area, with powered sites and cabins.
Barmera
Discovery Parks - Lake Bonney is a caravan park in Barmera, also in the Berri Barmera Council area. Lake Bonney is where Donald Campbell set the Australian water speed record of 216 miles per hour (348 km/h) in 1964, and the lake is used for sailing and windsurfing.
Loxton
BIG4 Loxton Riverfront Holiday Park is a holiday park in Loxton, in the District Council of Loxton Waikerie area, with powered sites and cabins. Loxton hosts a Christmas Lights Festival from November through December each year, which draws thousands of visitors.
Choosing between a river town and the lake
Our view: if you want a base for moving between towns, Berri sits comfortably among the others, though a night in two different places is worth considering. The riverfront parks at Renmark and Loxton put you on the Murray itself, while Barmera gives you the lake. The region is known for guided and self-guided walks, horse-riding, mountain biking and cycling, and canoeing and kayaking on the river and creeks, so a river or lake setting suits most of what there is to do.
To match a town to your plans, see our pages on Riverland activities and top Riverland attractions.
Riverland weather through the year
The region has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and relatively mild winters, a few degrees above Adelaide. The average summer maximum is about 32.5 °C and the winter average about 16.2 °C, with roughly 260.6 millimetres of rain a year. Summer days are hot, so check that a powered site or cabin suits your needs for the heat.
| Month | Max °C | Min °C | Rain mm | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34.2 | 17.1 | 18.8 | 3.0 |
| February | 33.4 | 17.1 | 20.5 | 2.5 |
| March | 29.6 | 14.4 | 17.4 | 2.3 |
| April | 24.7 | 11.1 | 22.6 | 3.6 |
| May | 19.9 | 8.2 | 22.2 | 4.9 |
| June | 16.5 | 5.8 | 27.2 | 5.6 |
| July | 16.1 | 5.0 | 25.5 | 6.0 |
| August | 17.8 | 5.4 | 24.5 | 5.9 |
| September | 21.4 | 7.3 | 29.4 | 5.6 |
| October | 25.5 | 9.7 | 23.7 | 4.0 |
| November | 29.1 | 12.6 | 22.2 | 3.5 |
| December | 31.8 | 14.9 | 25.9 | 3.5 |
Winter nights fall to about 5 °C in July, and every month has more than 26 sunny days on average. Autumn and spring sit in between, with April highs near 25 °C and October near 26 °C.
Getting to the Riverland
The Riverland lies about 1.75 to 3 hours north-east of Adelaide, and about 90 minutes west of Mildura, Victoria, via the Sturt Highway. Drive times by road from the Riverland area are below.
| From | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Barossa Valley | 171 km | about 128 minutes |
| Clare Valley | 227 km | about 168 minutes |
| Adelaide | 242 km | about 180 minutes |
| McLaren Vale | 279 km | about 218 minutes |
| Fleurieu Peninsula | 294 km | about 221 minutes |
| Limestone Coast | 361 km | about 271 minutes |
| Kangaroo Island | 459 km | about 370 minutes |
| Flinders Ranges | 491 km | about 382 minutes |
Renmark has a regional airport for light planes, and Waikerie has an airfield with a sealed runway. For arrival help, see Riverland transfers and rentals. One rule to know before you pack the car: it is unlawful to take certain foods into the Riverland without appropriate government certification, and South Australia applies a zero tolerance policy with fines for those caught.
Planning and booking
Confirm costs directly with the park. Our booking information for Riverland accommodation covers the next step, and if you are after something more upmarket, see luxury accommodation in Riverland. For wider trip ideas, the South Australian Tourism Commission runs the official state site at southaustralia.com, and background on the region is at Wikipedia: Riverland.
Frequently asked questions
What caravan and holiday parks are there in the Riverland?
Four are listed here: Discovery Parks - Renmark Riverfront, BIG4 Berri Riverside Holiday Park, Discovery Parks - Lake Bonney in Barmera, and BIG4 Loxton Riverfront Holiday Park. All offer powered sites and cabins.
How do I find current park rates?
Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
How far is the Riverland from Adelaide?
It is 242 km by road, about 180 minutes, via the Sturt Highway.
