Riverland, South Australia

When we talk about wine in Australia, Riverland comes in mind immediately. Why not? When the area is mostly popular for the volume as well as the quality of wine it produced. Wine industry got their source from Riverland which produces about 60% of grapes in South Australia and one fourth of the wine production in the entire country. They have about 1,300 winegrape growers in 2005 which generate above 480,000 tonnes of grapes. Most of the wines are used for exports which are manufactured by large companies from Barosssa Valley and other regions. Large wine companies includes Berri and Renmano, which are owner by Hardy's; Kingston Estate; Angove's; Orlando Wyndham; Mcguigan Simeon; and Salena Estate. Although there have been more established big companies for winemaking in the region, small companies are not behind in terms of providing superb quality wines. What contributes to the success of this industry in the region is the suitably warm climate, soft soil, and well irrigated fruit. In fact, its temperature ranges from 32C up to an extreme temperature of 47C. Rainfall is experienced annually between May and November. Riverland is mostly flat and positioned at about 20m over sea level. This makes an additional contribution to why Riverland can make huge production in the land, with its motorized pruning and harvesting procedure making the huge work easier.

Because of its popularity with regards to wine, Riverland offers wine activities such as River Wine Week in October, Riverland Wine Show and Riverland Wine Industry Technical Seminars.

Aside from these famous events, visitors can simply linger around river banks and other tourist landmarks in the region. But they are actively trying to protect River Murray as it has been declared as a reserve. Nevertheless, the region provides a vast area of water events and pastimes where visitors can still be amused by the regular activities such as houseboating, canoeing and water skiing. Bird-watching is also a favorite pastime River Murray provide a vast vegetation and forest that gives home to some various kinds of birds such as doves, cockatoos, honeyeaters, pelicans, and parrots. Golfing is also popular in the region as it provides quality golf courses that are only few minutes away from each other.

Once in the place you can also visit some historical sites such as the Loxton Historical Village which features early machineries, farm equipments and household items; Renmark's Olivewood Estate built by Chaffey's brothers who were the founder of the town; and the Steam Museum and Cobdogla Irrigation.

Take the experience in strolling through their popular rose gardens that displays thousands of rose bushes in Ruston's Rose Garden in Renmark. A special time to visit is during the Renmark Rose Festival in October.

Accommodations to this place are available in favorable choices whether it is a bed and breakfast, motel, outback experience, or a caravan park for camping. Historical hotels are also available such as the Overland Corner Hotel which also has museum for further entertainment.