Murray Bridge named among top 10 Aussie towns to visit in 2025

Murray Bridge has been named in an Australian travel website's town of the year awards.

Liana Webster

Feb 26, 2025 — 2 min read

The natural beauty surrounding Murray Bridge is one reason the town has been named among Wotif's top travel destinations in Australia. Photo: Jacob Jennings.

This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.

Murray Bridge has been named one of the top 10 Aussie towns to travel to in 2025.

On Wednesday, travel app Wotif announced the winners of its 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards, which included destinations in five of the eight states and territories.

Murray Bridge was the only South Australian town named, coming in at seven on the list.

Part of its appeal was that Murray Bridge hosted around 40 events in 2023-24, including cycling, music, golfing, water, arts and car events.

This year’s event program is shaping up to be just as big, with the 2025 Fringe season going on at the moment and Murray Bridge Glows, a fire and light festival, a visitor favourite in winter.

The opportunities and experiences on offer are only going to grow, with Murray Bridge set to become South Australia’s largest regional city.

Murray River, Lakes and Coorong tourism manager Greg Stirling said he was absolutely thrilled to see the rural city recognised.

"This is a testament to everybody in the town and, in particular, our tourism operators that deliver the incredible experiences our region has to offer," he said.

"From the Murray River to the vibrant local community, Murray Bridge is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation and authentic regional charm.

"We can’t wait to welcome even more visitors to discover the magic of the Murray River, Lakes, and Coorong."

Mayor Wayne Thorley said the unique charm and thriving community of Murray Bridge – the heart of the Murraylands – was what made it stand out.

“This is recognition of the beauty and hospitality of Murray Bridge," he said.

"We’re thrilled to welcome visitors from around Australia and the world to experience what makes our town so special.

"We’re ready to showcase our local attractions, from the expansive Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range zoo outside of Africa, to our well-loved river and natural landscapes that provide incredible recreational and tourism experiences on our iconic riverfront.”

The Bridgeport Hotel was included in Wotif's travel tips for Murray Bridge. Photo: Trades Travel Country.

The Wotif awards have been running for eight years and recognise trending Aussie destinations for the year ahead.

Winners are based on Wotif data on accommodation affordability, quality, and traveller satisfaction.

Wotif's Rebecca Hurley said the Aussie Town of the Year was about celebrating the destinations and world-class travel experiences in our own backyard.

New research reveals that 78 per cent of Aussies plan to travel domestically this year, a 9% increase from last year.