The 6-Day Murray River & High Country Escape After AFL Gather Round

You’re heading to Adelaide for AFL Gather Round (9–12 April 2026).

Flights will be busy. Hotels will be expensive. So instead of flying straight home after the final siren, turn it into a proper holiday and road trip your way to Sydney through the Murray River and the High Country.

Six relaxed days. River towns. Mountain views. Great country pubs. One long drive day through scenic country that will keep you interested for the duration.

Official event info:
AFL Gather Round 
South Australia event page

Can’t Get a Hotel in Adelaide?

If CBD accommodation is tight, collect your campervan early and stay at:

Levi Adelaide Holiday Park

Public transport options operate toward Adelaide Oval

Most travellers will hotel it during the footy and pick up their vehicle afterwards, but it’s a solid back-up.

The footy fun is over now you can decompress with a relaxing road-trip home to Sydney. Hopefully if you are a Swans or GWS fan you are travelling home happy.

Day 1: Adelaide → Renmark (Murray River)

Approx. 3 hours

Why Renmark?

The Murray River feels like a proper change of pace. Big river gums, paddle steamers, sunset reflections. After a weekend of footy crowds, this is exactly what you want.

Regional tourism info: Murray River, Lakes & Coorong

5 Things to Do in Renmark

• Walk the riverfront at sunset

• Visit local cellar doors

• Take a short Murray River cruise

• Explore Paringa Bridge area

• Picnic beneath the river gums

Stay: BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park
Powered riverfront sites. Easy access. Great facilities.

Dinner: Renmark Hotel
Classic river pub with balcony views.

Day 2: Renmark → Mildura

Approx. 2 hours

Short drive. Easy border crossing into Victoria.

Regional tourism info: Visit Mildura

Mildura is one of Australia’s most underrated regional food towns. Mediterranean climate, vineyards, river lifestyle.

5 Things to Do in Mildura

• Paddle steamer cruise

• Riverside walking tracks

• Visit local wineries

• Explore Lock 11

• Sunset over the Murray

Stay: NRMA Mildura Riverside Holiday Park
Dinner:  Stefano's Restaurant - A Mildura institution.

Day 3: Mildura → Bright (High Country)

Approx. 7 hours

This is your transition day from river flats to alpine foothills. Spectacular terrain and scenery.  Leisurely driving with lots of stops.

Regional tourism info: Victoria’s High Country

Why Bright?

Bright is one of Victoria’s most loved alpine towns. Autumn in April is particularly spectacular.

5 Things to Do in Bright

• Canyon Walk

• Brewery visit

• Rail Trail cycling

• Scenic drive toward Mount Buffalo

• Relax in town with mountain views

Stay: Bright Riverside Holiday Park
Dinner: Bright Brewery

Day 4: Bright → Jindabyne (Snowy Mountains)

Approx. 3 hours

Cross into NSW and enter Snowy Mountains country.

Regional tourism info: Snowy Mountains

Why Jindabyne?

Lake views. Crisp mountain air. Wide open spaces. It’s dramatic without being difficult to access.

5 Things to Do in Jindabyne

• Lake Jindabyne foreshore walk

• Scenic drive toward Thredbo

• Kosciuszko National Park visit

• Lookouts over the Snowy Mountains

• Early sunset over the lake

Stay: Discovery Parks – Jindabyne

Dinner: The Banjo Paterson Inn

Day 5: Jindabyne → Canberra

Approx. 2.5–3 hours

Regional tourism info: Visit Canberra

Why Canberra?

Wide boulevards, big skies and excellent food and wine. It breaks the journey perfectly.

War Memorial Canberra. Photo Credit, Visit Canberra. 

5 Things to Do in Canberra

• Lake Burley Griffin walk

• National Museum of Australia

• Mount Ainslie lookout

• War Memorial

• Parliament House

Stay: Alivio Tourist Park
Dinner: To many options to mention,  the dinning scene in Canberra is next level,  so you need to decide, what type of food you want to eat and how much you want to spend.   This is the destination to save for a culinary splurge.

Day 6: Canberra → Sydney

Approx. 3 hours

Cruise north on sealed highways and arrive in Sydney mid-afternoon for an easy vehicle return. You might want to go via Wollongong so you can cruise the Grand Pacific Drive.

Regional tourism info: Visit NSW

What Vehicle Works Best for This Route?

You’ll be on sealed highways and alpine roads.

Best options:

• 2-berth campervan for couples
• Compact 4-berth motorhome for families
• Avoid oversized vehicles if you’re new to mountain driving

Compare layouts and suppliers easily via DriveNow.com.au so you’re not locked into one brand.

Why This Route Works Financially

If flights home from Adelaide are high and accommodation was already stretching the budget, this road trip often ends up costing about the same — except now you’ve had:

• Murray River sunsets
• Mildura food scene
• Alpine High Country
• Snowy Mountains
• Canberra stopover
• A proper six-day holiday

Instead of just an airport lounge.

Ready to Turn Gather Round into a Bigger Trip?

Compare campervans and motorhomes early for April 2026 while availability is strong.

👉 DriveNow.com.au

Shelley Richardson

Shelley has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years, in aviation, for tour operators and since 2016 for DriveNow. Having travelled extensively worldwide, alone, as a couple and with her family, Shelley has experience to share about how to make the most of your holiday, especially road-trips to amazing destinations.