It’s not often you see a flying ute but in the New South Wales Riverina town of Deniliquin there’s one perched on a pole high above the ground. There’s also a ute covered in mosaics. But there’s more to see in this country town than utes, with plenty of activities on the river as well as cycle trails and walks.
The muster
Deniliquin, now known as the Ute Capital of the World, is home to the popular Deni Ute Muster, which attracts crowds of up to 20,000.
Back in 1999, Deniliquin was struggling with drought, so a keen committee was formed to help revitalise the town. The Deni Ute Muster was born and has been growing in popularity ever since – pre-Covid that is.
This year, it is scheduled for October 1-2 and big crowds are expected to celebrate the good old ute. There are concerts, dancing and driving, as well as competitions, including one for the best ute circle work and a Show n Shine competition for the best-presented ute, plus the ute with the most flags.
Visit: deniutemuster.com.au
Riverside adventures
Deniliquin straddles the meandering Edward River, an anabranch of the mighty Murray River, which is popular for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and water-skiing. You can hire kayaks at the McLeans Beach Caravan Park.
It’s also a haven for keen anglers hoping to land a Murray cod and golden perch.
Feel like a walk? There are some great riverside trails including the Beach to Beach walk that links the town’s popular, sandy McLean and Willoughbys river beaches.
Get your cameras ready – you pass by both the Ute on the Pole and the iconic Ute sculpture, Reutilise, made from repurposed scrap metal by Deniliquin artist Stuart Taylor.
Cycle around the Murray Valley Regional Park – there are three loop trails winding through river red gums along the Edward River. Bike hire is available at the Visitors Information Centre.
An island of bush
Near the main street you’ll find the Island Sanctuary, amid a beautiful natural setting.
A footbridge leads from the footpath into this area where a walking track winds its way through four hectares of red gum bushland.
It also forms part of the Beach to Beach walk. The sanctuary is a bushland island that has been formed by the Edward River and is home to unique native flora and fauna. You will see kangaroos and some of the 100 varieties of birdlife including fairy wrens, yellow rosellas, colourful parrots, eagles, black kites and kestrels. More than one-third of Australia’s bird species have been spotted in the region.
Local heritage
Housed in the former Deniliquin Public School, the Peppin Heritage Centre pays tribute to the Peppin family and their contribution to development of Australia’s merino wool industry. The building also houses the Visitors Information Centre.
An informative self-guided town walk features historic properties and attractions.
Warring Gardens is great place for a picnic in the shade of a huge Moreton Bay fig.
Indigenous tours
The Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre offers tours and has exhibitions and artefacts. Weaving displays and workshops as well as cultural activities are offered. Guided cultural tours of the Island Sanctuary include the traditional use of flora and a visit to a scarred tree.
For car and ute lovers
The Depot has a historic vehicle and memorabilia collection is a must for those who love vintage vehicles, motoring collectables and relics. Wander among restored vintage Aussie cars, scale model cars and a 1940s bus. There’s a touch of Hollywood along with trucking, transport, rescue vehicles and cars from around the world.
Fuel up
In the heart of the town, near the river, the Crossing Cafe & Restaurant serves great coffee, meals and treats. Nearby, Harry Pepper Coffee is another coffee-fix haunt, while the Exchange Hotel serves a great country nosh-up and has a beer garden.
Further afield
A 40-minute drive from Deniliquin, the wetlands of Murray Valley National Park are home to magnificent river red gums which are part of the largest continuous red gum forest in the world.
Follow the boardwalks for views of the unique ecosystem that protects more than 60 threatened native animal species and 40 threatened plant species.
The Gulpa Creek Trail is a great walk and the waterways are perfect for kayaking.
Twitchers should check out the Reed Beds Bird Hide and look out for yellow rosellas, wrens and the purple swamphen. Informative bird panels are located along the boardwalk.
Stay
Cottages on Edward offers boutique B&B accommodation on the banks of the river opposite the Murray Valley Regional Park.
Visit: cottagesonedward.com.au
Big4 Deniliquin Holiday Park has self-contained cabins and caravan and camping sites.
Visit: big4deniliquin.com.au
Deniliquin Riverside Caravan Park has cabins, villas and caravan sites.
Take me there
Drive: Deniliquin is a 7.5-hour drive from Sydney, 5.5 hours from Canberra and 3.5 hours from Melbourne.
Explore more: visitdeni.com.au
