Get in the car now – Why you should visit Renmark!
Renmark is one of the five major towns in the Riverland of South Australia, with a population of about 4,600, and sits next to the beautiful River Murray. Renmark is about a 3-hour drive from Adelaide and a 1.5-hour drive from Mildura. The Riverfront is beautifully landscaped and a great place for families to have a picnic or even feed a possum at night.
Top reasons to visit Renmark (there are way more than this!)
- Eat a meal along the beautiful Riverfront
- Feed the Possums
- Take a ride on the PS Industry
- Riverland Dinghy Derby
- Riverland Rose and Garden Festival
- Riverland Speedway
- Canoe along the River
- Walk across the historic Paringa Bridge (or drive)
- Holiday along the River in one of the two caravan parks (TIP: Book early)
For those of you who want a little more detail read below.
Eat a meal along the beautiful Riverfront.
Like all the major Riverland towns, the River (or, in Barmera’s instance, the Lake) plays a significant part of life for many locals and visitors alike. If you want a great meal with a great view, you can always visit the Renmark Club, which is situated right on the Riverfront. Alternatively, you can pick up your favourite food from one other many local takeaways or cafes and sit by the riverbank.
Feed the Possums
Our family will drop everything at the chance to head over to Renmark and feed the possums down by the River (after sunset). I think it helps as this also ends up being a Macca’s run, too (This is a significant thing for Loxton, sigh).
So grabs some chopped-up carrots and head down to the Riverfront by the palm trees, and you will not have to wait long for the possums to show up. You will also spot them moving along the ground from tree to tree.
They are very tame and will happily take the food offered right out of your hand. However, they do randomly relieve themselves from the trees, so best to keep that in mind when standing underneath them.
Take a ride on the PS Industry.
When I think of Renmark (even more so than other Riverland towns, which may not be fair), I think of Paddle Steamers. This may be because they have done a better job promoting the history or perhaps because the PS Industry is docked on Renmark’s Riverfront.
The PS Industry offers regular 60-minute paddle steamer river tours you can check out when the next cruise is happening here.
The other Paddle steamer parked along the Riverfront is the impressive Murray River Queen, decked out for meals and offering accommodation.
Riverland Dinghy Derby
Renmark has one major river event called the Riverland Dinghy Derby. The derby is a definite ‘must-see’ event to see if you are in the Riverland in early February. As they rightly claim, it is the wildest boat race on the River! You can visit the Riverland Dinghy Derby’s website for more details on the upcoming event.
Riverland Rose and Garden Festival
The Riverland Rose and Garden Festival graces the region each October.
This Riverland Event provides an excellent way for locals to celebrate their region and show it off to other parts of the state and beyond.
Each year is always full of surprises, with new ideas adding to the already incredible display of properties.
These include a huge list of open gardens to visit across the whole Riverland, including Waikerie Flower Show, The Pines Festival and the display at Loxton. Not to forget the Festival Fair in Renmark and the Renmark Institute, displaying their latest work.
Expect a great range of garden designs from the Riverland’s best and brightest. Their love of all things gardening and their beautiful properties will be evident when you take a look.
Riverland Speedway
The Riverland Speedway is located just outside Renmark (top of the hill as you drive in from Berri). They hold regular events, including the following racing classes: Street Stocks, Junior Sedans, Modified Sedans, Super Sedans, Classic Super Modifieds, Wingless Sprints, AMCAs, V6 Sprints, Modlites, Classic Stock Cars, Classic Bikes, Classic Speedcars, Ramp Races.
For the latest events, check out their Facebook page.
Canoe along the River
There is something very peaceful and calming about the River, and one way to capture this is by canoe (plus it offers a good arm workout).
The wetlands in the Riverland are something to be seen as you paddle through the national parks.
One of the best ways to experience this beautiful area is to hire a canoe and join a guided tour which can include spending a night camping under the stars.
If you don’t have any experience, that is okay! Canoes are easy to operate, and you will be expertly paddling down the River in no time.
Walk across the historic Paringa Bridge (or drive)
The Iconic Paringa Bridge was built in 1927. The bridge once had the railway run through the centre, which has since been converted into a pedestrian walkway. The bridge is unique because the middle section rises to allow taller boats to pass underneath.
The bridge links Renmark to Paringa. Paringa is a town that sits right next door (across the River) to Renmark.
Holiday along the River in one of the two caravan parks
Even Ribverland Residents have been known to stay at the Renmark Caravan parks during the Christmas holidays, so you should too!
Renmark has a great range of accommodation in general. The two Caravan Parks are located along the River and are a great option. When looking, it is usually easy to search on Wotif or booking.com, but it pays to contact the hotel or motel directly for the best deal. It is often a win-win situation where you save money, and the accommodation providers also avoid the booking website’s fees.
So, Should you visit Renmark?
Yes! What a great town to visit, with lots to do. Moreover, every part of the Riverland is within 30 minutes to 1 hour. So Renmark offers a great base to explore all the Riverland too.
Here are some other tidbits about Renmark
Irrigation System
The Riverland region’s water is distributed through the Central Irrigation Trust (CIT), except for Renmark, which is managed under the Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT). Why is this? The Chaffey Brothers, in the 1880s, introduced the first irrigation system in the region (in Renmark) for growing orchards. The RIT was born out of this and has remained a separate entity.
Local Industry
Renmark was once dominated by citrus and stone fruit; indeed, you will still see them, but not nearly like you used to.
As you drive into Renmark (coming from Adelaide), you will see Vineyards as far as the eye can see.
You will also see Almond Co’s giant factory, which hints at Renmark’s (and the Riverland’s) other primary industry, namely Almonds.
Sport in Renmark
Football and Netball dominate Renmark in Winter and Cricket in summer. Other sports include soccer, basketball and baseball. Regarding sporting competitiveness, Renmark is one of the major players in most sports played in the region. In 2022, Renmark Rovers won the Riverland Football League A Grade Premiership (well done).
Shopping and food in Renmark
Renmark has a variety of local businesses in town and chain stores like BIG-W.
Renmark has some beautiful local restaurants, cafes, and takeaways. We will feature them on this site over time. The Renmark Club sits right on the River, and the Murray River Queen (Paddle Steamer) has a sit-down Restaurant area.
Renmark is unique among Riverland towns as it has Macca’s, KFC, Hungry Jacks and Subway. This is most likely because Renmark sits along the main Sturt HWY route offering travellers a quick stop option on their journey.
Final thoughts
Let me know your thoughts on Renmark in the comments below
