Located approximately 74km from Adelaide, Murray Bridge is the major centre on the Murray River north of Lake Alexandrina and south-east of the Adelaide CBD. The Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region embodies natural beauty and boasts a wealth of native produce, breathtaking scenery and Australian wildlife. The Murray River flows more than 2500 kilometres from the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales, through the Riverland, down to Murray Bridge and onto the Lakes and Coorong in South Australia. The River is around 130 million years old and is rich with Aboriginal history, culture and heritage. Prior to European settlement the area was inhabited by the Ngarrindjeri People.

The original township was laid out in 1883 and was called Mobilong, and later as Edwards Crossing, before being renamed as Murray Bridge in 1924, deriving its name from the road and railway crossings over the Murray River. The city is situated on the Princes Highway, the main road transport link between Adelaide and Melbourne. The total population of the council area is estimated to be approximately 21,500 people.

Today the city is the centre of a major agricultural district. It is a typical sprawling rural centre with a grain silo on the skyline and vegetable gardens, hothouses and light industry surrounding the city centre. The Murray River is indeed a popular tourist attraction within South Australia, but amongst its many well recognised cities, one stands out above the rest. Murray Bridge is the "crown" of the Murray Region, containing many attractions for people of all ages. The Murray River is a picturesque site of house boats, paddle-steamers and happy, relaxed people. Sit back and relax while observing the beauty of this natural wonder.

Travelling to Murray Bridge takes approximately 55 minutes by car or slightly longer by other means. There are a number of bus services running between Adelaide and Murray Bridge multiple times per day, and  PTV Overland operates a train twice a week.

Working for the Department for Child Protection in Murray Bridge

Friendly staff with an all-pull-together, can-do, caring attitude.

Murray Bridge is a welcoming community offering lots of family-based activities and encouraging healthy living and multi-cultural diversity.

Ease of travel around Murray Bridge, close to work if you choose to live in Murray Bridge or an easy commute from other regional centres.

Schooling, Pre-schooling and Kindy and Childcare

  • Community Kids Child care
  • Kin Kin Early Learning
  • Minya Porlar Aboriginal Creche
  • Murray Bridge Community Children’s Centre
  • Murray Bridge World of Learning
  • Concordia Kindergarten
  • Fraser Park Child Parent Centre
  • Murray Bridge Kindergarten
  • Tinyeri Children’s Centre
  • Tailem Bend Kindergarten
  • Murray Bridge South Primary School
  • Murray Bridge North Primary School
  • Fraser Park Primary School
  • Mypolonga Primary School
  • Jervois Primary School
  • St Joseph's Primary School R-9
  • Unity College R- 12
  • Tyndale College R - 12
  • Murray Bridge High School

Vocational Education & Universities

Tafe SA has its own campus in Murray Bridge offering a student lounge with kitchen facilities during normal campus opening times. All students and staff of TAFE SA can join the library free of charge. There is also an online TAFE SA Library.

Employment Prospects in Murray Bridge

The most common occupations in Murray Bridge (State Suburbs) included Labourers 20.4%, Community and Personal Service Workers 14.5%, Technicians and Trades Workers 13.8%, Sales Workers 10%, and Clerical and Administrative Workers 10%. Of the employed people in Murray Bridge. Other major industries of employment include Meet Processing 4.4%, Supermarket and Grocery Stores 4.1%, Other Social Assistance Services 4% and Aged Care Residential Services 3.1%.

All of your day to day necessities are available locally including Banks, Shopping and Healthcare and modern library.

Banks

Most major banks have a branch in town, including ANZ, CommBank, Bank SA/ Westpac, NAB, and People’s Choice Credit Union, as well as a number of ATM’s.

Shopping

  • Grocery stores: Woolworths, Coles, IGA, Aldi, Drakes and grocery shops
  • Retail stores: K-hub, Big W, Jeanswest, Total Surf, Cotton On, Cheap as Chips, Millers, Rockmans, Spendless Shoes, Reject Shop, BCF, Pet Stock, and a variety of specialty shops and boutiques
  • Several automotive, hardware and general homeware stores.

Health Services for you & Your Family

Residents in the Murray area have access to a wide range of health care services in a number of locations throughout the region through the Murray Mallee Community Health Service. These services include 3 Medical clinics, Aboriginal Health centre, obstetric services, community health and aged care services.

Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital provides acute services ranging from in-hospital care to specialist surgical, obstetrics, outpatients. The hospital provides a regional service which includes Domiciliary Care, Community Health Service, Meals on Wheels, and support services for the aged. Co-located with Murray Mallee Community Health Service, it includes 45 public beds, 24-hour emergency department, day surgery, operating theatres, maternity and obstetric services, medical imaging services, same day and overnight stay.

Community & Annual Events

There’s always something happening in the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region. Highlights include the Moonlight Kayak Tour in November, Mannum's Sounds by the River rock concert in January, country horse races throughout the year, canoe and kayak race: Floatfest and the Murray Bridge Jazz Festival in October. Join the locals who flock to country shows and markets held throughout the region. You'll also find sunset kayak tours, dinghy cruises, concerts and live performances.

  • Karoonda Farm Fair
  • Mypolonga Farmers Market & Car Boot Sale
  • Mannum Riverside Markets
  • Murray Bridge Country Markets or Fair days
  • Murray Bridge Cup
  • Bow hill 2 Day Kayak Fishing Competition

Parks and Sporting Facilities

Although many of the Murray Bridge attractions are water based, such as skiing and swimming, there are many exciting land attractions that are also well worth a visit. Murray Bridge boasts many sporting and leisure clubs.

Just out of Murray Bridge there is a new open range zoo and breeding ground for arid and grassland animals at the Monarto Safari Park. Many species of animals can roam this 1000 hectare site. Tourists have the opportunity to take a Safari Bus around the park with a personal guide.

Just south of Murray Bridge is The Bend Motor Sport Park for auto enthusiasts of all varieties.

There are many parks and reserves located in Murray Bridge, however, the jewel in the crown of Murray Bridge, is Sturt Reserve - a magnet for outdoor pleasure and fun for local and international visitors alike.

This breathtaking reserve is located on the banks of the mighty Murray River, and is perfect for relaxing with a picnic, strolling along the foreshore and making the most of majestic river views and local birdlife. Barbecues and shelters are available and several commercial restaurant facilities also feature for those who enjoy more traditional dining.

For people with a bit more energy to burn, there are plenty of great quality outdoor facilities to keep you entertained. A large safely fenced and sheltered playground with a great big pirate ship will keep young ones entertained for hours. Swings rockers, a spinning drum, seesaw and flying fox ensure there is plenty of activities to choose from.

For teenagers there is a Skate Park and what is affectionately known as the "Rage Cage". The skate park features a concrete structure for skateboarding and bicycles and the skate ramp is a steel constructed half pipe. The Rage Cage is a structure suitable for basketball, netball, hockey, soccer and other sports.

One of the most popular additions to the park is an outdoor gym which includes a butterfly press, easy rider, stepper, rowing machine, shoulder press and lat pull down, calf trainer, ad hip swinger and cycle seat, and these facilities are available to all members of the public.

Sturt Reserve is also home to the only swing specially design for people with a disability in the district. The key for this swing is available from the Visitors Information Centre and Riverscape Cafe.

Sturt Reserve also plays host to a range of water sports and activities including swimming, rowing, boating and fishing. This reserve is also houseboat friendly and mooring sites are available.

Regular annual events at Sturt Reserve include the Ski Racing SA State Titles, Sufferfest Triathlon, Murray Bridge Christmas Pageant, Festival, & Fireworks Spectacular, New Year Eve show and Fireworks and the International Pedal Prix.

Housing in Murray Bridge

The median sales price for houses in Murray Bridge in the last year was $225,000 based on 199 home sales and the weekly median advertised rent is $225. This is dependent on the size and location of the property. Compared to the same period five years ago, the median house sales price for houses decreased 1.5% which equates to a compound annual growth rate of -0.3%.

Return to Working with us in Regional SA page to see benefits available in other regions. To see currently available regional opportunities go to the DCP Jobs Board.