Edward River Bridge picnic area is in the Gulpa Island precinct of Murray Valley Regional Park. To get there:

• Follow the signs from Mathoura on Cobb Highway to Edward River campground
• After turning onto Jones Street, cross Poleys Bridge and continue along Picnic Point Road
• After about 4.5km, turn left onto Millewa Road
• Turn left again just before you cross Edward River Bridge and continue to the picnic area

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as the road to Edward River Bridge picnic area can become boggy following rain.

• Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

• All weather

Parking

Parking is available in a gravel carpark, including 2 concreted accessible parking spaces.

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Murray Valley National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

The perfect time for a camping holiday: the days are cooler and the nights are not yet too chilly.

Spring

If it's been a wet winter white ibis and straw necked ibis will be nesting from late winter through to spring. It's also the best time to see wildflowers in bloom.

Summer

A great time for water activities on the Edward River. It's a time when it can get very hot and dry. There are solid fuel fire bans in place for the entire summer season, generally running from 1 October until Easter.

Winter

The morning light sparkles on the river and is the time when the forests are flooded with water and the wetlands come alive.

Water is not available at this picnic area so you'll need to bring your own supply for drinking and cooking.

Toilets

• Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

• Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Carpark

Step-free access

The picnic area is flat and step-free. There's a walking track that runs to the campsites at nearby Edward River Bridge campground and a concrete path that leads to the kayak launch.

These are the only pathways - to get to the rest of the facilities, you'll need to cross over a mixture of flat grass and hard-packed ground.

• Step-free outdoor pathways

Seats and resting points

There are 2 benches with backrests at the nearby campsites north of the picnic area. The benches are set by the river along the walking track that leads to the campground.

• Edward River Bridge picnic area factsheet
• Edward River Bridge picnic area map (1.4MB pdf)

Disability access level - medium

Edward River Bridge picnic area is flat and step-free, with the following accessible facilities:

• 2 concreted accessible parking spaces in the asphalt carpark
• Accessible non-flush toilets
• Accessible picnic tables
• An accessible kayak launch nearby, with a concrete path leading to it.
• 2 bench seats for resting to the north of the picnic area, by the river at the nearby campground

Aside from a concrete pathway to the kayak launch and walking track to the nearby campground, there are no other paths. You'll need to cross over a mixture of hard-packed ground and flat grass to reach most of the facilities.

• Kolety walking tracks Kolety walking tracks are a hidden oasis at Murray Valley Regional Park, in Deniliquin. Take an easy, dog-friendly stroll through river red gum forest to enjoy colourful birdlife or a riverside picnic.
• Riverside walk Riverside walk is an easy stroll through ancient river red gum forest in Murray Valley Regional Park, near Moama. Stretch your legs and look for yellow rosellas after a barbecue at Five Mile picnic area.

• Riverside walk Riverside walk is an easy stroll through ancient river red gum forest in Murray Valley Regional Park, near Moama. Stretch your legs and look for yellow rosellas after a barbecue at Five Mile picnic area.

• Kolety walking tracks Kolety walking tracks are a hidden oasis at Murray Valley Regional Park, in Deniliquin. Take an easy, dog-friendly stroll through river red gum forest to enjoy colourful birdlife or a riverside picnic.
• Riverside walk Riverside walk is an easy stroll through ancient river red gum forest in Murray Valley Regional Park, near Moama. Stretch your legs and look for yellow rosellas after a barbecue at Five Mile picnic area.

• Deniliquin mountain bike trails Ride Deniliquin mountain bike trails in Murray Valley Regional Park. This popular singletrack cycling network is perfect for intermediate riders.
• Five Mile mountain bike trail Five Mile mountain bike trail offers 7km of purpose-built mountain bike trails in Murray Valley Regional Park, near Echuca and Moama. The trails are suitable for all skill levels and it's one of the best places for biking in the region.
• Kolety walking tracks Kolety walking tracks are a hidden oasis at Murray Valley Regional Park, in Deniliquin. Take an easy, dog-friendly stroll through river red gum forest to enjoy colourful birdlife or a riverside picnic.

• Gulpa Creek Forest walks Gulpa Creek Forest walks, in Murray Valley Regional Park, is an easy path to walk along with your dog and great for birdwatching with opportunities to go canoeing or kayaking, not far from Mathoura.

Animals

• 

  Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

  A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.

• 

  Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

  Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.

• 

  Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

  One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

• 

  Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

  The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.

• 

  Eastern blue-tongue lizard (Tiliqua scinciodes)

  The eastern blue-tongue lizard, one of the largest skinks in Australia, is found throughout most of NSW. When threatened, the eastern blue-tongue lizard displays its blue tongue in a wide-mouthed intimidating show. Not an agile animal, they feed on slow-moving beetles and snails.

• 

  Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

  The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.

• 

  Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

  One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

• 

  Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

  Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.

• 

  Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

  One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.

• 

  Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

  One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.

• 

  Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

  One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.

• 

  Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

  The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.

• 

  Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)

  The sugar glider is a tree-dwelling Australian native marsupial, found in tall eucalypt forests and woodlands along eastern NSW. The nocturnal sugar glider feeds on insects and birds, and satisfies its sweet tooth with nectar and pollens.

• 

  Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)

  The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.

• 

  Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

  The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.

• 

  Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

  Found throughout Australia, the tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl due to its wide, powerful beak, large head and nocturnal hunting habits. The ‘oom oom oom’ call of this native bird can be heard echoing throughout a range of habitats including heath, woodlands and urban areas.

• 

  Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)

  With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.

• 

  White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

  White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

Plants

• 

  Billy buttons (Craspedia spp. )

  Billy buttons are attractive Australian native plants that are widespread throughout eastern NSW in dry forest, grassland and alpine regions such as Kosciuszko National Park. The golden-yellow globe-shaped flowers are also known as woollyheads. Related to the daisy, billy buttons are an erect herb growing to a height of 50cm.

• 

  Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)

  The black sheoak is one of a number of casuarina species found across the east coast of Australia and nearby tablelands. Growing to a height of 5-15m, these hardy Australian native plants can survive in poor or sandy soils. The barrel-shaped cone of the black sheoak grows to 10-30mm long.

• 

  Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum)

  Coachwood trees are Australian native plants that grow in warm temperate rainforests along coastal NSW. Also known as scented satinwood, the mottled grey bark of the coachwood has horizontal markings and a delicate fragrance.

• 

  Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)

  The delicate flannel flower is so named because of the soft woolly feel of the plant. Growing in the NSW south coast region, extending to Narrabri in the Central West and up to south-east Queensland, its white or pink flowers bloom all year long, with an extra burst of colour in the spring.

• 

  Mulga (Acacia aneura)

  Mulga are hardy Australian native plants found throughout inland Australia. With an unusually long tap root, the mulga is able to withstand long periods of drought.

• 

  River red gum (Eucalpytus camaldulensis)

  Australian native plants, majestic river red gum trees are widespread across Australian inland river systems. The river red gum is a dominant tree species of the Murray-Darling basin which spans NSW, Queensland and Victoria. This iconic native eucalypt grows to a height of 30m and is thought to have a lifespan up to 500-1000 years.

• 

  Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)

  A hardy Australian native plant, the saltbush is a small spreading shrub that can withstand dry salty soils such as those found in the desert plains of western NSW. It is grey-white in colour and has small spear-shaped succulent leaves. It flowers from December to April.