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Savour fresh local flavours

Delight in the concentration of excellent eateries celebrating regional ingredients across this charming town. Fire up for a day of culinary adventures with coffee at Brothers Cup, a small-batch coffee roastery and espresso bar in North Albury. Or ease into your day with a more leisurely brunch at local favourite, Mr Benedict, or The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned café that highlights seasonality and locality.

Bliss out with a picnic lunch on the banks of the Murray River after stocking up with savoury bites from Ebden & Olive in South Albury, bakery treats from Nord Bakery next door (try the sourdough and the Danish pastries), and smoked trout from Murray River Smokehouse. Or, if you’re in town on a Sunday morning, engross yourself in the rich colours of the seasonal produce for sale at the weekly Kiewa Street Market.

Soak up the sunshine over lunch at the light-filled in-house diner Canvas Eatery after taking in an exhibition at the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA). Or sit riverside and refuel on Murray cod and delectable locally sourced beef at The River Deck Cafe, overlooking the river in Noreuil Park.

Reward yourself after a day of exploring the city and surrounds with a memorable dinner at Bistro Selle on Olive Street, where the modern European-style menu focuses on regional, seasonal produce, and the extensive wine list features fine international and Australian wines.

Relax with a casual meal of house-made dumplings at Hapi Dumplings on Dean Street, or head to Public House for bistro favourites such as pizza, schnitzels and burgers, with a side order of live music from Thursday to Saturday. Step back in time as you take a seat at the bar, in the bistro or in the lush beer garden at the impeccably restored retro-style Astor Hotel Motel. Or keep the adventurous vibe going with cocktails or your new favourite local wine before a dinner of fresh seasonal produce at Level One Wine Bar.

Witness nature and art entwine

Awaken your senses with a foray on the mighty Murray River. Marvel at the majestic trees lining the banks of the river and thrill to raucous birds all around as you leisurely paddle a kayak or canoe on a guided tour with Murray River Canoe Hire.

Take an awe-inspiring walk or bike ride from the shore of the Murray — Albury has 50km of interlinked on- and-off-road trails to discover, including the 5.3km Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk along the river. Forge a connection to the Traditional Owners of the area on this absorbing sculpture walk, which is part of the broader Wagirra Trail. Here local Aboriginal artists have created works referencing the unfolding narratives of the Wiradjuri people, including Bogong Moth Migration by Ruth Davys and The Bigger Picture by Katrina Weston. Or reconnect with nature by following the 3km path among the ancient river gums through the Wonga Wetlands, where you can spy around 150 bird species.

Get a sense of Albury’s rich past by downloading the free Albury Historic Building Tour app and seeking out the city’s well-maintained heritage buildings — there are 21 sites in 13 locations to discover, including the Botanic Gardens and the former Waterstreet Hotel.

Let your imagination roam free as you explore one of the country’s finest collections of contemporary Australian photography at the Murray Art Museum Albury, better known as MAMA. The museum, which is free to visit, is the home of the National Photography Prize, a biennial prize supported by the MAMA Art Foundation. Be equally engrossed by the Art Partners Australia gallery on David Street, where Australian-resident artists show their work and a new exhibition opens on the first day of each month.

Recharge before another day in the river city

Don your cat-eye sunglasses and travel back in time by checking in to the Astor Hotel Motel, a mid-century modern hotel that’s been transformed into a fabulously retro Palm Springs-style icon. Even if you’re not staying here, you’ll find it’s well worth driving by for a photo opportunity. You’ll also enjoy pops of colour, along with sculptural bunnies, cockatoos and flamingos, in the common areas at Atura Albury, on central Dean Street.

Immerse yourself in art by staying in the Warhol Suite at Circa 1928, a luxury boutique hotel that’s only a couple of minutes’ walk from MAMA on Dean Street. Look up in wonder as you pass between the stately columns of the former Commonwealth Bank building. Melt into some serious pampering at Circa 1928’s renowned day spa, where you can treat yourself to a soothing bath treatment in a hand-beaten copper bathtub that’s large enough for two.

Let your fur baby roam free at the pet-friendly Frauenfelder Cottage, a five-minute drive from the town centre. This stone cottage was built in 1857 and is one of the oldest houses in Albury. Stretch out at Quest Albury, where there’s a choice of self-catering rooms from studios to larger apartments of up to three bedrooms. Or bring your own mini-home with you — set up camp in your caravan or motorhome at Big4 Albury Tourist Park, Albury Gardens Tourist Park or Albury All Seasons Tourist Park.