CONFLUENCE MURRAY RIVER 2027
Image by Henry Smith on the first Confluence journey in 2026
MURRAY RIVER JOURNEY, AUSTRALIA
13-21 MARCH 2027
In March 2027, you’re invited to paddle with the Murray River from where we left off our first journey in 2026, upstream of Mildura, Victoria, Australia, towards the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers, to again listen, witness, and create, in deep immersion and deep time.
Along with the River, your guides will be back in the saddle next year too: Prime Ministerial award-winning facilitator, writer and host of The RegenNarration podcast from Western Australia, ANTHONY JAMES, with international award-winning transformative educator, writer and public speaker from Wisconsin USA, Dr KATIE ROSS. The river experience will be led by THOMAS FLOYD, Lead Adventure Coordinator of local outfit Wildside Outdoors.
We are again committed to assembling a diverse cohort of people who bring depth, compassion and curiosity to the evolving narrative around and relationship with the Murray River, all rivers, and our water stories as a whole. There will be discussion, workshop, and generative visioning, in focused community, with ancient River. All are welcome, 15 years and over. No experience required.
Image by Anthony James
Confluence is an experience combining powerful legacies and knowledge systems. From the innate power, wisdom and beauty of the River, with the sophisticated cultures that have shaped it - and been shaped by it - for millennia; to the transformative learning and river journey experience of Katie; and Anthony’s 10 years travelling the world with The RegenNarration podcast, while carrying the legendary systems thinking and practice lineage of his late mentor, Australia’s Inaugural Environmental Educator of the Year, Professor Frank Fisher.
This is a confluence of cultures, knowledge systems, human hopes and concerns, and you - all carried, sustained and infused by the confluence of water.
Image by Henry Smith
Water: the source of all life
It is becoming ever more apparent to more people that the way through worsening planetary degradation, and even the overwhelm that induces, is by coming back to water as the source of all life. Yet, the narrative around water is still so often utilitarian, commoditised and politicised.
What if there is a way to transcend this? To shift the narrative? Change the story? By changing our stories? By asking rivers? And listening - with all our senses.
Image by Kate Johnston
Your Confluence experience
We will spend seven full days and eight nights together, from the afternoon of Saturday 13 March to the morning of the equinox on Sunday 21 March. Five of these days will be on the River, meandering through epochs of time.
You’ll learn about the natural history and Indigenous lifeways oriented to this landscape with respected local Aboriginal community members including DARREN BROWN. Darren has also been a mentor to our river guide for much of Tom’s life.
We'll paddle with the River’s flow for roughly 3-5 hours each day, cook and eat fireside, and sleep under stars in supplied tents. You'll feel the power of the longest and most mythologised river in Australia, and you'll rest easy in the capable hands of some of the world’s most accomplished guides.
Image by Anthony James near our Mildura base camp
Are you interested in joining us?
Space is extremely limited on this adventure. And it may be the last Confluence in Australia for a couple of years, as rivers and communities beckon internationally. So PLEASE submit your application as soon as you can, or by FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2026. We’ll be in touch with you after that.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will start a wait list once the roster is full (our wait list was used last time, so please do continue to apply if it opens).
No prior experience in paddling or camping is necessary. Partners, friends, colleagues and young folk 15 years and above are also warmly welcome to apply.
Image by Kate Johnston
Pricing & everything included
$2,980 AUD (it is non-refundable, though it is transferable to another participant)
$2,880 AUD for Confluence alumni.
PLEASE NOTE that payment is due in full when you’ve been accepted into the course, to formally register your place.
If you require a payment plan, please let us know in your application.
And if the cost is a barrier to you, please feel free to apply and make that clear in your application, including how much you could possibly contribute to your place on the journey. We may be able to look into scholarship or institutional support with you.
Organisations and businesses are also invited to financially support staff interested in applying to join the journey. We are happy to speak with you about the opportunities on offer.
Image by Henry Smith
What we provide:
Daily discussions, workshops, and generative sessions with our guides
Professional river guide local to the area, experienced in the journey we’ll be taking
Tents, stable canoes, paddles, vests, dry store barrels, dry bags, and other river and safety gear
Transportation to and from the river start and finish points, back to base camp in Mildura
Simple, delicious, nutritious meals from dinner on the first night to breakfast on the last morning (all food will be provided, but please note we may not be able to cater to all needs. This can be explored after your application is received)
A Trangia stove, fuel and cooking kit each (yes, we’ll help you use it)
Drinking water
A printed map of the River Country we’ll be journeying
Everything you need to prepare, including a thoughtfully curated resource and media list, some suggestions of physical preparation, and all you need to know to feel good about the adventure
The group will convene at least once online leading up to launch. We will be here to support you every step of the way.
Our alumni also receive discounts on future Confluence events, and the possibility of ongoing connection via an alumni network.
What you bring:
Your curiosity and openness to new ways of perceiving, questioning and story-telling
Your willingness to be part of riverside cook ups and cleans, and generally supporting each other on the journey
Clothing, swim suit, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, personal toiletries (a full packing list will be provided on registration)
Any favourite creative, writing or journaling materials (notebook, pens, paints, etc.)
Fishing gear if you like
Transport to and from base camp in Mildura, Victoria, Australia.
Image by Anthony James
Getting there?
Regional trains to Swan Hill or Bendigo have connecting buses to Mildura. Direct flights are also possible from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Flights from Adelaide and Perth will need a connecting flight. We can also help organise car pools amongst participants, and will provide more local travel tips and support as travel requirements are confirmed.
We can’t wait to share this adventure with you.
What people said after the first journey
An extraordinary experience.
A threshold experience that left me humming.
Again and again there were extra little touches that deepened the experience. It’s no small thing you’ve done here, and the ripples will reverberate for years to come.
Life-changing.
I am filled with such gratitude for this experience, so needed in these times. A way to connect on so many levels that do not exist in my "normal". Will be with me for years to come.
Truly enriching and restorative!
Confluence was truly amazing. The Connection to the country, River and people is something everyone should experience. It will change how you see the environment you live in. It will make you a better person, and the community you live in a better place to live.
A fabulous trip that I am still reflecting on.
I was in awe of the facilitation and care and thought that had obviously gone into it.
The curation of this trip was superb!
Light touch but intentional facilitation was perfect.
The organisation and facilitation was outstanding and highly attuned to the River and our group dynamics and diversity.
The care shown in the preparation of food and the allowance for self determination for when/how much to eat was very much appreciated.
What an incredible time. I am so pleased that I made the effort to go.
I felt the most grounded and steady I’ve felt in years.
I am happier all around. I feel strengthened in purpose and body, and more aware of waterways around me.
The paring back of all things so to live a simple life for five days was particularly impactful.
Our ever-positive river guide was always available to lend a hand or to answer questions. There wasn't a landmark he didn't know.
Looking for an outdoorsy self-leadership adventure that offers a lived experience of the highs and lows and sideways of being in relationship with river, kickstarts new lifelong friendships and changes the course of your life? Sign up here :-) Never camped before? You’ll be fine. Never paddled for a whole day before? Again, you’ll be fine. Can’t leave coffee behind? You guessed it, you’ll be fine.
Image by Henry Smith
With thanks to Michael Gooden and family at Old Man Creek, for supporting the journey with delicious regeneratively grown food.
