This was published 11 years ago
Morning Glory River Resort, Moama review: Mighty Murray in all its glory
River idyll... children cool off in the pool.Credit: Penny Stephens
Jeff Glorfeld discovers a family-run working farm and resort by the river.
Without trying to, the owners of Morning Glory River Resort have one of the most topical holiday destinations in the country, as stakeholders bicker about the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's plan to manage this precious resource.
Morning Glory is a family-run working farm about 25 kilometres outside Echuca-Moama, where they raise wheat and canola and graze cattle. The farm also includes a three-kilometre stretch of Murray River frontage on which they've built this wonderful resort.
In what is too often a polarised debate, the owners here recognise that without a mighty Murray, there's no water for farm irrigation but also that the tourists who come here are only interested in enjoying a healthy river.
It's not a case of one side right, the other wrong; both sides need to coalesce for the well-being of the river.
On the last Saturday of the Easter school holiday, we've driven from Daylesford, on the Calder Freeway and Midland Highway through Bendigo, Elmore and Rochester; it takes about three hours of easy driving.
We've been given the Woolshed Retreat for our weekend stay, which can sleep eight in its three bedrooms (two with queen-size beds, one with children's bunks), even though we're two adults and two dogs, because everything else in the resort is occupied. We take a quick look around - yes, it could have been a former woolshed, with mellow, old, polished-wood floors in the open kitchen and living area; good-size carpeted bedrooms, one with en suite; spa tub in the main bathroom; a green lawn; and a long verandah and covered outdoor dining area.
It all looks fine but what looks better is the swimming pool, beautifully landscaped and wonderfully structured with shallows and deeps for swimmers of all ages.
After a refreshing swim and a quick tour of the grounds, we head back to our cabin to unpack the food into the fridge. There is a milkbar in the resort, selling a handy mix of grocery items (but no alcohol) and petrol but the nearest town is Barmah, about a 15-minute drive away, so it's best to come prepared with all your food and drink.
It's almost 5pm so, gin and tonics in hand, we settle on the verandah to enjoy the scenery.
One popular activity on this stretch of the river is waterskiing; the resort has its own small jetty and a concrete boat-launch ramp. The skiers are graceful and entertaining and the boat traffic not too heavy. As the afternoon sun sets, pink-and-grey galahs and white corellas in their hundreds begin the nightly squabble about who gets the best perches in the tops of the river red gums that line the bank, drowning out the noise of the boats.
As Darryl Kerrigan might say, "How's the serenity?" But soon enough, the skiers call it a day, the birds sort themselves out and tranquillity settles over the river. Serenity, indeed.
When it's time for dinner we find a spotless kitchen with all the necessary tools. Also impressively clean is the outdoor barbecue. The lounge room has comfortable sofas and a big flat-screen TV and DVD player (with a selection of free discs available at the shop). Even the most posh resort has its quirks; here at Morning Glory, drinking water is supplied in large plastic jugs and the cabin is plumbed with river water - we fill up a bowl with water for the dogs and the Murray's characteristic brown sediment quickly settles to the bottom. It can be a bit disconcerting, especially when the big spa bath is filled, but perfectly adequate. And then there are, as any bush camper will know, the ubiquitous blowflies.
Sunday morning, we harness the dogs and head out to have a proper look at the resort. Accommodation ranges from big cabins like ours, to much smaller but comfortable-looking units, a caravan park with power and water hook-ups and plenty of space to pitch tents. There is a shower and toilet block for campers.
Morning Glory is made for action: along with the pool, there is a tennis court, a children's playground, a two-hole golf course, trails for walking or cycling (no motorbikes), the river for boating, swimming and fishing and a full-size footy oval complete with goalposts.
Although we're here for only two nights, next time it'll be for a week, at least.
VISITORS' BOOK
Morning Glory River Resort
Address
Gilmour Road, RMB 1100, Moama NSW 2731
Bookings
Phone (03) 5869 3357, morninggloryriverresort.com.au.
Staying there
For two people, $245 a night peak to $205 off-peak. Units vary.
Getting there
Driving from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, branch off on the Northern Highway B75 via Kilmore, Elmore and Rochester. It's about 220km, about three hours of driving.
Wheelchair access
Some.
Verdict
15
The score: 19-20 excellent; 17-18 great; 15-16 good; 13-14 comfortable.
All weekends away are conducted anonymously and paid for by Traveller.
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