Summer’s just around the bend, and we’re predicting a forecast of sunny race days, thundering track action, and chilled local wine.

With South Australia’s largest regional event centre located just 45 minutes from Adelaide, and a stone’s throw from our region’s best accommodation, it’s the ideal weekend away for groups.

Bridges Event Centre has a cracking calendar of events coming up, so whip out your diary and coordinate your trip to experience the electric atmosphere of a Thomas Farms Family Friendly Day, Christmas Cup or start 2024 with New Year’s Day races.

Some of the big race days coming up are:

• Thomas Farms Family Fun Race Day (Sunday, 10 December)
• SpryCrete Christmas Cup (Saturday, 23 December)
• New Years Day Race Day (Monday, 1 January)

View the full event calendar here.

Indulge in long lunches, pop a bottle of champagne, and dress to the nines with your mates (be sure to don your best head-piece).

Bridges Event Centre offers packages for groups that are perfect for Christmas work shows and corporate events. Our top picks are the Macquarie Package and Legends Package, both of which boast reserved indoor seating, as well as delicious food and drink options.

It’s also a great day out for families, with fun activities and plenty of lawned space for the kids to run and play.

You can host your own event at Bridges Event Centre as well! Whether you’re planning a wedding, anniversary, or any other special event, the picturesque greenery sets the scene for unforgettable moments.

Plus its size, modern facilities, and proximity to Adelaide also makes it a popular venue for conferences and corporate gatherings.

A breezy 10 minutes down the road, you’ll find the $45 million six-storey Bridgeport Hotel, our AHA Regional Hotel of the Year.

They’ve just released a new line of luxury suites, so you can switch off and soak up private views of Murray Bridge’s Historic Twin Bridges in a complimentary robe (complete with a coffee machine and mini bar).

Take a dip in the Infinity Pool, sample our region’s flavours at the Rivergum Restaurant, or sip a cheeky cocktail on the terrace and have the stay of a lifetime.

If you’re keen to spend more time on the river while the sun’s out (aren’t we all), spend the weekend in one of River Shack Rentals authentic river shacks, dial back the pace right on the water in the beautiful Ark-imedes floating accommodation, or wind through the bends on your own houseboat (check out Unforgettable Houseboats or the Houseboat Hirers Association to choose yours).

After falling in love with the refreshing selection of wine at the Bridges Event Centre, you’ll want to visit the cellar doors behind the labels for an immersive flight tasting in Langhorne Creek.

Make Kimbolton Wines your first point of call to savour their summer special Rosé Spritz. Crisp and sweet with a light dry finish, it’s the perfect drink for sipping the day away on the rooftop bar with panoramic vineyard views.

Bleasdale should also be on your hit list, having recently taken out 2024 Halliday Winery of the Year. Its 2021 The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon was once again named Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year, and the 2021 Wellington Road Shiraz Cabernet just took out the Shiraz/Cabernet Blend of the Year title.

Be sure to stop into Bremerton Wines, Lake Breeze Wines, and The Winehouse as well for the full ‘Creek experience. Angas Plains Wines also offers live music (check website here), and Vineyard Road Wines includes goodies from an SA-based chocolate factory! You can even take the pain away from planning and just grab a package from Juggle House Experiences who will show you their fave spots.

Bridges Event Centre isn’t the only track action you’ll find in our region – we’ve got an award-winning motorsport facility in our backyard too. The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park (formerly known as ‘The Bend’) is only 20 minutes from Murray Bridge, offering the adrenaline spiking experience to race, kart, drift, rally, and off-road – ideal for motorsport enthusiasts of any kind.

So come for a day at the races, but stay for the riverfront getaways, award-winning wine, and high-octane experiences. We’ll see you this summer on the track!