A trip to the NSW-Victoria Border Towns of Echuca-Moama (respectively) calls to mind the movie, A Walk to Remember. And, specifically, that scene where Mandy Moore’s character Jamie Sullivan stands with one foot in North Carolina and the other in the state of Virginia, ticking off a wish to be in in two places at once that feels almost childlike in its simplicity.
It is a quiet moment that proves wonder doesn’t need fireworks; sometimes it’s just a painted state line on the ground (or signage indicating a change in your location), a shift in the breeze, a sense of possibility within arm’s reach.
That whimsical, softly cinematic magic is stitched through the experience at the newly opened Wildergreen lifestyle precinct. And, while, this riverside retreat technically sits on a stretch of land credited to New South Wales, with nothing more than a footbridge and a curve in the Murray (and their own steps to mark the transition), visitors can easily mark their entry into Victoria. In fact, it actually lies closer to the Sporting Capital of Australia – with visitors from Melbourne requiring little more than three hours to make the move from Bourke St Mall to the world of New South Welshwomen.
Step left, you’re in The Premier State. Drift right, you’re suddenly in The Garden State. And, somewhere in that liminal middle – that sliver of “both” – Wildergreen creates a destination that is all its own.
The heart of the Wildergreen story is Embr, the onsite, fire-driven dining space that transforms the novelty of being in two places at once into something tangible, warm, and deeply delicious. Embr’s culinary philosophy thrives on edges: where flame meets food, smoke meets sweetness, and rustic technique meets refined execution.
The menu celebrates transformation, coaxing local produce into its most expressive form: blistered pumpkin with wattleseed ricotta that carries the faint perfume of fire, Fiorentina steak seared over live embers with a satisfying crust and tender, buttery interior, crisp-skinned porchetta that crackles under the knife, and a cauliflower steak with romesco that delivers smoky, nutty warmth in every bite.
Pizzas are foldable, Neapolitan in spirit, from a classic Margherita with molten cheese and a hint of char, to the bush honey-sweetened Diavola that marries spice with caramelised sweetness. Pastas like pulled lamb mafaldine with cannonau reduction feel rugged yet elegant, with ribbons of sauce clinging to perfectly cooked strands.
Dessert offers a delicate finale: limoncello tiramisu scented with lemon zest, vegan chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline offering a gentle crunch, and lemon myrtle panna cotta that dances lightly across the palate. Each dish engages all the senses — the crackle of wood, the aroma of smoke mingling with fresh herbs, the visual glow of embers on the plate – evoking the same thrill as standing on a border, occupying two worlds at once.
For those seeking something more casual, Wildergreen also hosts Moama Bowling Club. And, the Junction Moama, which spotlights locally inspired menus, perfect for long lunches or post-adventure meals. Together, The trio of venues ensures that whatever your mood – celebratory, leisurely, or exploratory – you’ll find a table waiting and a dish crafted for this place, this moment.
With the Murray River as its backdrop, Wildergreen mirrors that same depth beyond the offerings of its trinity of menus. Across the precinct, a gentle sense of abundance is woven throughout – one that ties together a rich tapestry of experiences. Not quite a resort, not quite a rural retreat, it occupies the sweet, liminal space between the two.
Lawns shift in colour with the seasons, leafy pathways invite wandering, and thoughtfully designed corners offer quiet moments for reflection or playful discovery. Children’s treehouse and outdoor playgrounds encourage curiosity and movement, while open-air lounges and terraces provide spaces to linger with a glass of wine or a coffee. The scent of native flora mingles with river air, and the soft murmur of water under the footbridge creates a rhythm that slows time. Every step, every pause, is an invitation to savour the landscape, explore the seasons, and experience the in-between – that rare space where nature, design, and leisure converge effortlessly.
And that’s the charm: at Wildergreen, borders are not barriers but invitations. Invitations to move slowly, to savour deeply, to exist in the in-between – that cinematic space where simple things feel profound and every small wish, like standing in two places at once, is quietly, deliciously realised.
Moama once meant a river stop. Now, thanks to Wildergreen, it’s a place where “here” and “there” happen at the same time, where culinary craft, landscape, and the poetry of borders converge, and where even the smallest desire – to be in two places at once – is fulfilled with the kind of effortless grace that Mandy Moore made her signature in an era of wild 90s pop stars.
