Fish Hotels for the Future: A Regenerative Project on the Murray

Australia's largest freshwater fish, the mighty Murray Cod, has long been a symbol of life along the Murray River. But decades of environmental change, habitat loss, and overharvesting have pushed this iconic species into vulnerable territory. Now, Murray River Trails is taking bold action to reverse that trend.

Through the Murray River Trails Fund, a regenerative initiative has launched to install ten Fish Hotels along a stretch of the Murray River in South Australia. These specially designed underwater structures provide critical habitat for native fish species, particularly the Murray Cod, which relies on submerged logs to breed, shelter, and survive.

What is a Fish Hotel?

A Fish Hotel is essentially a man-made underwater refuge, built from sustainably harvested red gum logs and assembled into pyramid-like structures that mimic the snags once common along the river. Each hotel weighs over a tonne and is engineered to last more than a century submerged in flowing water. A central concrete pipe allows cod to lay and protect their eggs, recreating a safe haven that was lost when millions of logs were removed during the paddle-steamer era.

Why does this matter?

Over the last century, the Murray River has experienced massive ecological change. From dam construction and water extraction to the effects of drought and climate change, these impacts have made it increasingly difficult for native fish populations to recover. Without natural habitats - even when seasonal floods occur, triggering fish to breed - their offspring often don't survive.

These Fish Hotels aim to change that by restoring vital breeding habitat. When floods arrive, Murray Cod will have a safe space to spawn and their young will have a fighting chance to thrive.

How regenerative tourism makes a difference

For over a decade, Murray River Trails has operated with a clear vision: to give more than they take. As founder Tony Sharley puts it, "We wanted to build a tourism business that doesn't just depend on a healthy river - it helps create one."

This project is a milestone moment: the first of what will be a series of regenerative tourism initiatives, turning guests and supporters into true stewards of the environment. Guided by decades of scientific and ecological knowledge, and backed by registered charity OzFish, the Fish Hotels project reflects a powerful belief that tourism can help repair, not just admire, the natural world.

How you can help

The Fish Hotels project has a fundraising target of $70,000 to complete all ten structures. Murray River Trails has already sponsored the first hotel - and now they're inviting past guests, river advocates, and nature lovers to help make the rest possible.

Donations of any size are welcome, with three tiers of sponsorship:

• Cod Companion: Up to $500 - receive updates on the project's progress and fish occupancy.
• Cod Guardian: $500 - $6,999 - updates plus an invitation to a Fish Hotel Census Day to observe researchers monitoring fish populations.
• Cod Champion: $7,000 or more - all of the above, plus naming rights to your own Fish Hotel.

Sponsors will have the opportunity to see the difference they're making firsthand, whether it's through exclusive access to scientific census days or while gliding silently above the habitat on a Murray River Trails tour, where side-scan sonar reveals the hotel's newest residents.