Conserving freshwater ecosystems to protect biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions is needed if we are to continue to receive the essential goods and services we require from our catchments in arid countries such as Australia. However, the complexity of freshwater ecosystems and their response to various pressures (e.g., water extraction, species loss, changing hydrology, urban development) has posed some major challenges for management. One approach to the problem has been the use of surrogate species as a focal point for conservation planning and monitoring. Here, I explore the prospect of using Murray River crayfish (Euastacus armatus) as a key surrogate species for monitoring and management of upland catchments within the Murray-Darling Basin of southeast Australia. By introducing all the elements of an effective surrogate species, and how Murray River crayfish may fit these criteria, we look to provide a solid basis for future planning and investment in freshwater conservation and management.