Greg Hunt said the tour is timed to coincide with National Water Week and will cover 3000 km of the Murray-Darling Basin to discuss key water issues with local communities.

He said decisions on the future of Australia's biggest food bowl "can’t be made by reading briefings in Canberra".

"That's why it's important to get out there and meet the people of the Murray-Darling," he said.

"Starting on Monday 27th October, I will begin my tour from a small creek in Toowoomba at the top of the Basin, before visiting towns and rivers all the way to the Murray Mouth, including the Riverland in SA.

"I will be joined by the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources and Conservation, Senator Fiona Nash.

"She will take a second route through the Basin to help gauge the views of as many people as possible."

Mr Hunt said it is important for political figures who want to make decisions that impact on the future of the Murray-Darling Basin sit down and talk with the people whose very livelihoods rely on it.

Mr Hunt also hit out at Water Minister Penny Wong, saying she should have visited Toorale Station and discussed the purchase with the people of Bourke before paying $24 million for the property.

"If she'd travelled there, she might even have discovered who owned the property before she bought it," Mr Hunt said.

Sen Wong has admitted that she did not know who owned Toorale before agreeing to purchase the historic block.