South Australia (Riverland)
Berri
Berri, in the centre of the Riverland, has plenty to see and do. Its main industries are citrus fruit and its by products and wine - Berri boasts the largest single winery in the southern hemisphere, Berri Estates.

As elsewhere along this part of the river, water sports and recreation rate highly with locals and visitors. Martin's Bend, a few kilometres east of town is also a popular picnic and water skiing spot. They take their golfing very seriously in Berri, and Berri Golf Club is regarded as a challenging country course with exceptional spots of beauty.
The Big Orange sets the scene in BERRI, announcing the fact that this is the town where the trademark orange juice comes from; and accordingly, travellers are mainly drawn here by the prospect of fruit-picking work. You can climb up the Big Orange to the observatory on level three for a good view of the Riverland; for more juice, visit Berrievale Orchards. The river is the main attraction, of course, with scenic river walks above coloured sandstone cliffs, as well as the Wilabalangaloo Flora and Fauna Reserve (Mon & Thurs–Sun 10am–4pm, daily during school holidays; $4), a native animal enclosure and a local history museum on the waterfront. For more information on Berri, head for the tourist office on 24 Vaughan Terrace (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9–11.30am).

In town the Berri Resort Hotel, Riverview Drive, is a huge riverfront pub that grows ever tackier and ritzier – though it’s not a bad place to stay, with a swimming pool, tennis courts and good food. The excellent Berri Backpackers, out of town towards Barmera on the Sturt Highway opposite the Berri Club, is the place to stay if you’re fruit-picking, but the place is so popular it’s hard to get a bed. The energetic and enterprising owner has laid on such amenities as free bikes and canoes, a sauna, swimming pool, gym, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts and two tree houses, one for couples to stay in, the other used as a general chill-out area. 

For food, Berri Canton Palace, 1 Worman St (tel 08/8582 2818; closed Tues & Sun lunch), is a good Chinese restaurant; and Harry’s Deli, 22 Denny St, is a milkbar which is open daily for greasy breakfast, lunch and tea. A healthier option is Berri Patisserie Bakery, opposite (weekdays only 8.30am–4.30pm). Swan Houseboats (tel 08/8582 3663 or free tel 1800/034 220) also rents out dinghies and canoes for those who want to enjoy the river here.

Fast ferries, operating 24 hours a day link Berri with Loxton.

Attractions
  • BERRIVALE COMMUNITY MURAL Six metres high and fifty metres wide, this mural depicts the history of the Riverland's fruit industry from the pioneering days of the Chaffey Brothers and paddlesteamers to the present day. Painted in 1985 by community groups, the mural is brilliantly floodlit at night.
  • BERRIVALE ORCHARDS SHOWROOM & THEATRETTE A fifteen-minute video explains the history of the Berri area and shows the processes in the district's large fruit and juice plants. In the showroom a comprehensive range of handcrafts, juices, canned fruits, dried fruits, nuts and condiments are available.
  • THE BIG ORANGE Three kilometres from the town and set in an orange grove, the Big Orange sells Riverland produce such as dried fruit and nuts, fresh citrus fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice, Riverland wines and local arts and crafts. The lookout at the top of the Big Orange provides great views of the Riverland.
  • THE LOOKOUT TOWER The views from this 15.8 metre lookout tower are stunning - Berri, the river and the orchards around it are seen in panoramic detail.
  • RIVERLAND DISPLAY CENTRE On display is an excellent range of vintage and classic cars and motor cycles. Other parts of the collection include dolls, large scale aircraft, fish replicas, shells and a gem and mineralogical display. The culture of the district's Aboriginal groups is also featured.
  • WILABALANGALOO FLORA AND FAUNA RESERVE Four kilometres from Berri, this 100 hectare property has walking trails from which to spot native animals, birds and admire the magnificent river scenery. The large homestead dates from 1942 and is now a museum of early river history, with photographs of the town and riverboats.