MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW: Great boating destinations

Some of Victoria’s most spectacular boating destinations will be on show at the 2013 BIA Melbourne Boat Show, which opens this Friday (today June 14) at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

From Friday to Monday, boating enthusiasts can check out great destinations such as the Murray River and the Geelong-Otway region.

The Murray Regional Tourism Board has all the details on everything from house boating and paddle steamer cruises to waterskiing and canoeing -- plus a luxury house boat holiday to win.

Australia’s largest inland waterway, the Murray has it all for anglers, skiers, house boaters, canoeists and powerboat enthusiasts.

Bring your own boat, take an Eco Kingfisher Cruise through Barmah National Park or a wharf-to-winery cruise along the river, or lunch aboard PS Emmylou.

Adventurous types can sign up for the 2014 Murray Meander, an on-water charity 'bash' which travels 887km from Mildura to Goolwa to raise money for charity.

Its fleet of tinnies will depart Mildura on February 22, with overnight stops at Wentworth, Lake Victoria, Renmark, Cobdogla, Morgan, Mannum and Wellington.

Proceeds go to The Otis Foundation which provides retreat accommodation for women with breast cancer, and Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia which funds oncology nursing scholarships for prostate cancer services.

For those who prefer coastal waters, Geelong Otway Tourism represents the entire south west coast and hinterland from Werribee along the Great Ocean Road to Lavers Hill.

With spectacular coastal scenery such as the Twelve Apostles and bucolic inland areas such as Colac and Winchelsea, the region is a destination of endless variety and delights.

The 53rd Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show runs from Friday June 14 to Monday June 17 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. It is open from 10.00am each day, until 9.00pm on Friday, 8.00pm on Saturday and 7.00pm on Sunday and Monday.

For more information go to: www.melbourneboatshow.com.au