Australia's Murray River stretches approximately 2,520 kilometres from the Australian Alps to the Southern Ocean, forming the natural border between New South Wales and Victoria before entering South Australia and turning south for its final 500 kilometres to the sea. As part of the Murray-Darling Basin — the fourth longest river system in the world — it is one of the most significant paddling destinations on the continent, offering everything from multi-week expeditions to short day trips.

The navigable portion of the river begins at Hume Dam, around 16 kilometres east of Albury on the NSW-Victorian border. An alternative starting point is Bringenbrong Bridge near Khancoban at the base of the Snowy Mountains, though paddlers using this route must carry their craft around Hume Dam. In Victoria, Yarrawonga serves as the official starting point for the Massive Murray Paddle. Key towns along the route — including Mildura, Wentworth, Renmark, Berri, Loxton, and Morgan — provide resupply opportunities and, in several cases, canoe and kayak hire. The river concludes at the Murray Mouth, where it enters the Southern Ocean in South Australia.

The character of the river changes considerably along its length. Upper sections near the Alps involve more challenging terrain, while the lower Murray near Wentworth is free from rapids and well-suited to beginners. Through the Riverland and Murraylands of South Australia, the flow is generally gentle, passing limestone cliffs, irrigated orchards, and native riverbank vegetation. The ochre-coloured cliffs at Big Bend are a notable visual landmark. The Katarapko section within Murray River National Park offers a distinct experience — a network of creek channels, billabongs, and floodplain lagoons through river red gum forest, where the narrow waterways allow close wildlife encounters.

Water levels and flow rates should be checked before setting out. Recommended safe paddling levels on the Murray River are between 1.4 and 2.4 metres; below 1.2 metres is considered too shallow, and above 2.7 metres is regarded as dangerous. Paddlers should also be aware of boat traffic, particularly on the main channel. September through to the warmer months is generally cited as the best period for paddling. GPS-enabled maps are available through the NPWS app, and PDF maps can be downloaded for the designated canoe trails. Guided tours with riverside camping are available through operators in several river towns.