The Vic Park Finish Line is the only place where you can watch the Southern 80 from start to finish. $35 will get you a full weekend pass to the finish line, exclusive access to live footage and commentary on the giant screen across both days, the best seat in the house as the teams cross the glory line, awesome boat displays, children’s play area and much, much more.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.

If you like camping here is some information to make your camping experience enjoyable for yourself and people around, whilst looking after the natural bush around you.

Where to camp?

Victorian Side.

There are many places to camp on the river between Echuca and Torrumbarry.


From the Parks Victoria website (3rd Feb 24) – https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/murray-river/attractions/piangil-to-echuca-east 

The Murray River Reserve is affected by these flood events and River Track and camping sites are affected between Echuca and Torrumbarry Weir Road, as a result the following bends or sections of these bends are:
Burnanga Bend – OPEN
Braund Bend – OPEN
Pianta Bend – OPEN
Casey Bend – OPEN
Wills Bend – OPEN
Emu Bend – OPEN
Point Rd Bend – OPEN
Farley Bend – OPEN
Betha Bend – OPEN
Arnold Bend – OPEN
Baillieu Bend – OPEN
Baillieu Lagoon – OPEN
Tolhurst Bend – OPEN
Barra Bend – OPEN
Fulham Bend- CLOSED
Young Bend – CLOSED
Crossman Bend – CLOSED
Turner Bend – PARTIALLY OPEN- SOME AREAS STILL FLOODED
Horseshoe Bend – OPEN
Norris Bend – OPEN
Jones Bend – OPEN
Williams Bend – OPEN
Gona Bend – OPEN
This water may be present for a couple months to come. Please drive with caution and do not drive through flood waters or around closed areas.

  

 

 

     

 

New South Wales Side

There are limited sites on the New South Wales side. Bookings must also be made.

Please note that there is no camping at the Five Mile Boat ramp area.

 


Please check the NSW National Parks & Wildlife website for the latest updates 

Check out:

Perricoota State Forest, which is near the Torrumbarry start line – currently closed at the 15th January 2024.

Benarca Campground, about half way along the full course – now open – you must book

Fires

Fires are not permitted in any NSW parks.

Fires are permitted with conditions on Parks Victoria land.  Be aware of the Fire Danger Rating for the day. Be informed about local conditions and download the Vic Emergency App to keep up-to-date with all weather alerts and warnings across the entire Southern 80 weekend.

We work closely with Victorian and NSW police, NSW Roads & Maritime Services and all other emergency services to ensure everyone stays safe, while having the time of their lives.

Boating on the Murray

For information on safe boating in NSW waters such as the Murray River, visit the Roads and Maritime Services website: www.rms.nsw.gov.au

Evaucation Plan for Torrumbarry to Echuca

Persons who are in the Vic Parks area between Torrumbarry and Echuca for the 2022 Southern 80 should take note of the following,

  • If there is a threat move away from it and in the direction of the Murray Valley Highway
  • Keep close attention to the Vic Emergency App (download from iTunes or Google Play, visit the website here ), ABC Radio and Southern 80 web site, as these sites will give information on the unlikelihood of the area needing evacuation.
  • Know where you are and have an alternate exit to the road you entered on, is the road 2WD or 4WD.
  • Ensure this exit leads you south towards the Murray Valley Highway.
  • Don’t panic, do not pack up campsite.
  • Do not tow a caravan or camper trailer when evacuating
  • Have headlights on, travel slowly, wear full covering clothing
  • If severe you may need to walk out, do not try and swim across the river.

The full evcuation plan can be downloaded here

Rubbish Removal

If you’re camping along the Murray River during the Southern 80 be sure to take any rubbish with you. Or you can deposit it at the temporary Transfer Station on O’Dwyer Road or the Echuca Transfer Station on McKenzie Road. Dumping rubbish in our parks is not just unsightly but also potentially dangerous for visitors, and impacts on native plants and animals. Leave the river and bush clean so everyone can enjoy it!

You could also arrange between a number of campsites to have a toilets and / or a skip bin delivered to your site.  

Places which may help you with this include:

Northern Hire Group phone 03 5482 6262

Binco Skips – phone 0437 724 646

Phil a bin – phone 0407 201 889

 

Dust

Many of the bush tracks are dusty.

Please keep travel along the bush tracks to a minimum and at a slow speed.  

If there is lots of dust in the air, this may travel onto the river and impede the competitors on the water.  The race may then need to be stopped.

Please be mindful of others and keep your travel on the bush tracks down a minimum.

 

Access to the River

Closed River

Saturday:

Basically from Perricoota Marina (Goldsbourgh Rd) to Torrumbarry is open. Otherwise we have exclusive use all day 7am to 7pm.

Sunday the whole river from Torrumbarry to Echuca is closed water.

Those familiar with the Southern 80 will be aware that the Murray River is closed to the public during race times to ensure safety for both competitors and spectators.

Much work is done behind the scenes to ensure this is done efficiently and effectively and the Moama Water Sports Club has developed a map to ensure everyone is up to speed with river closures from 6am until 7pm on both days of racing.

Campers along the river will be familiar with the sweep boat, which travels along the course prior to racing to mark the official closure of the river by flying a red flag and then again after the day of racing to officially reopen the river to the public by flying a green flag.

 

Inflatables

Please keep a close eye on any inflatables. If they float away on the river they will cause a hazard and could potentially stop the race. This has happened in the past.

 

Swim on Race Day

No person is permitted in the river during Southern 80 race times.  (9am-6pm).

Enter the water on race day – no way! It is for everyone’s safety that there are barriers in the water at the finish line.  This is for the spectators and crews competing alike. This rule was brought in, as some spectators were in the water whilst the boats were travelling on the water. We want everyone to enjoy the spectacle of the Southern 80.  Don’t be the person to stop the race by being in the water!

 

Drones

Drone operated by the general public is prohibited on Parks Victoria managed land. The recreational use of RPAS is not permitted under Parks Victoria regulations and visitors should refrain from flying them or they may receive a penalty infringement notice.  

 

You need approval to launch, land or operate a drone in a national park or other reserve managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS),  check the information out here