Itinerary for a family trip along the Murray River
Wildlife, local food, camel rides, paddle steamers, Indigenous storytelling and one of the best family-friendly resorts we’ve stayed at!
There is something about the Murray River region that immediately makes you slow down.
The towering river red gums, long country roads and historic towns make it feel much further from Melbourne than it really is, while the number of family-friendly places scattered between Kyabram, Shepparton, Cobram, Barooga, Echuca and Moama means you can easily turn the journey into part of the holiday.
We stayed for two nights, but we could have filled another few days without trying. This itinerary moves around quite a bit, so it works best for families who enjoy exploring rather than spending the entire weekend beside the pool. That said, RACV Cobram Resort has enough onsite that you could also slow everything down and leave entire afternoons free.
Day one – wildlife, a brewery lunch and Cobram Barooga after dark
First stop: Kyabram Fauna Park
đź“Ť 75 Lake Road, Kyabram VIC 3620
We began the drive with a stop at Kyabram Fauna Park, which was a great place to stretch our legs before continuing towards Cobram.
It is small and quiet, but that is part of its charm. The park is spread across 55 hectares of bushland, wetlands and lakes, with native Australian wildlife, a wetland walk, playground and a splash park that is especially handy during the warmer months. I would allow at least 90 minutes, although you could easily stay longer.
Because Kyabram is part of Zoos Victoria, we entered using our membership. Adult memberships currently begin at $12.42 per month over 12 months and include unlimited entry to Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, with children joining free on an adult membership. The park is currently open daily from 10am to 5pm, except Christmas Day.
Lunch: Shepparton Brewery
đź“Ť 15 Edwards Street, Shepparton VIC 3630
From Kyabram, we continued to Shepparton Brewery for lunch.
This was such an easy family stop because the grown-ups could try the beers brewed onsite while there’s a play nook for the children.
We spent around $90 on lunch and drinks.
Wetland walk
Kyabram Fauna Park
Splash park at Kyabram Fauna Park
Shepparton Brewery lunch
Shepparton Brewery play nook
Check-in: RACV Cobram Resort
đź“Ť 154 Campbell Road, Cobram VIC 3644
Our base for the weekend was RACV Cobram Resort, where we stayed for two nights in a Deluxe Park Cabin.
The resort was so large and family-friendly! There are two playgrounds, a pump track, BMX track, tennis and basketball courts, an arcade room, a jumping pillow, an indoor pool and spa, plus a huge outdoor pool. There is also a small poolside café serving coffee and light refreshments.
Our 2-bedroom cabin could sleep up to six people, with queen beds and a set of single bunks. It had a furnished balcony, dining space, large television, heating and cooling, and a properly equipped kitchen with an oven, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher and full-sized fridge.
Everything felt spacious, clean and very easy for a family stay. Linen and towels were supplied, although the bunk beds are not made before arrival, which is helpful to know when checking in with tired children.
Cabin rates vary by season, but ours was around $289 per night, with RACV members able to access member rates and offers.Â
We also made the trip in our EV and arrived with roughly 10% battery remaining. The resort has electric vehicle charging onsite, which made the regional drive far cruisier!
A useful Cobram stop
đź“Ť Federation Park Play Space, Punt Road, Cobram VIC 3644
Before or after checking in, you can drive into Cobram for groceries, takeaway or dinner supplies. Federation Park also has a large fenced play space, picnic facilities, parking and public toilets, making it another easy stop when children need to move.
Evening – dinner and Bullanginya Dreaming
Dinner at Sporties Barooga
đź“Ť 10-16 Burkinshaw Street, Barooga NSW 3644
That evening, we booked the Sporties courtesy bus from Cobram and travelled across the border to Barooga in less than ten minutes.
Sporties was a relaxed option with a children’s corner containing gaming consoles and busy boards. The steak was excellent, and on the Friday we visited, the children ate free. Our dinner and drinks came to approximately $120, although we did order one of the more expensive steaks.
The free courtesy bus operates within the Cobram and Barooga township areas, but it needs to be booked directly with the club.Â
Bullanginya Dreaming
đź“Ť Departing from Sporties Barooga, 10-16 Burkinshaw Street, Barooga NSW 3644
After dinner, another bus collected us for Bullanginya Dreaming, and this became the highlight of the entire trip.
We have experienced quite a few illuminated trails and projection events, but this one felt so different. The journey unfolds among tall trees beside Bullanginya Lagoon and the Murray River.
The 1.8-kilometre trail contains 12 activations created through collaboration with Bangerang artists and storytellers. Light, sound, water and fire are used to share stories connected to Country, Indigenous heritage, local flora and fauna, and the relationship between people and the land.
It was visually beautiful, but it also made me emotional. You are not simply walking from one projection to the next. There are moments where you stop, listen and feel surrounded by every element of the landscape. It creates space to reflect rather than rushing people through another attraction.
The trail is pram-friendly, with toilets onsite, and most families should allow around 60 to 90 minutes. There was also a fire with marshmallows at the end of our session, and a coffee van may operate on selected evenings.
This is a permanent installation with sessions nightly (closed on Mondays) from 6-10pm.Â
Adult: $27
Juniors (Ages 3 – 17): $18
Child (Under 3): FREE
Pensioners: $22
Family (2 Adults & 2 Juniors): $72
This experience alone is worth planning a Cobram Barooga trip around!
Day two – camel rides, Echuca and a family dinner in Moama
Morning at Billabong Ranch
Glanville Rd &, Tehan Rd, Echuca VIC 3564
The following morning, we drove to Billabong Ranch on the outskirts of Echuca.
The property has some farm animals, playground, indoor mini golf, archery, paddle boats, climbing activities, bungee trampolines and rides, plus several bookable horse and camel experiences.
We began by feeding the farm animals for $5 per feed, followed by pony rides ($15pp) for the boys. You can also book 1 or 2h horse trail rides.Â
Then came the experience we had really travelled for: a family camel ride!
The four of us climbed onto the gentle camels and followed the camel train through barley fields for approximately 30 minutes. It was calm, unusual and such a beautiful experience to do together.Â
Billabong Ranch has a rustic, old-fashioned country feel rather than the polished presentation of a newly built attraction. We came primarily for the animal experiences and the camel ride, which made the visit really worthwhile for us.
Camel rides are only available on Saturdays at 11am, 1pm or 3pm.Â
$50 for ages 6+ and $35 ages 3 to 5
Explore historic Echuca
đź“Ť Port of Echuca, 57 Murray Esplanade, Echuca VIC 3564
From Billabong Ranch, we headed into Echuca.
You cannot visit Echuca without spending time around the historic port and seeing the paddle steamers. Even walking through the old precinct is fun, but a cruise gives you the chance to experience the river rather than simply looking at it!
We took a 1h paddle steamer cruise with Murray River Paddlesteamers and paid $90 for our family of 4 (under 4s are free).Â
Allow time to wander through town afterwards. You can also book a horse-drawn carriage ride, visit the playground or stop for food and ice cream around the port.
Lunch or dinner at Wildergreen and EMBR
đź“Ť Moama Bowling Club, 6 Shaw Street, Moama NSW 2731
We finished the day at Wildergreen, part of Moama Bowling Club, and I cannot rate this concept highly enough.
We ate at EMBR and had limoncello oysters (the best we’ve ever had!), pasta, pizza and wine. Our meal came to around $170 including drinks, but what made the venue remarkable was not simply the food.
Outside, there is a children’s playground, but the standout is the indoor Treehouse play space. Children aged 5+ can be signed into supervised play while their family dines, while children under 5 can enter with a parent or guardian. Access is complimentary for families dining at the club.
I was so impressed by the venue. The Treehouse was calm, beautifully designed and filled with different ways to play, including reading and craft areas, gaming consoles, a tv with beanbags, Magna Tiles, dinosaurs, games and imaginative toys.
The kids did not want to leave!
Treehouse opening hours vary across the week and may change during school holidays, so check before you go.Â
Day three – enjoy the resort before heading home
We kept the final morning slow and enjoyed more time at RACV Cobram Resort.
In hindsight, I would deliberately protect a few hours for the resort rather than filling every part of the itinerary. The kids could have spent half a day moving between the pools, playgrounds, pump track, arcade and jumping pillow.
Shepparton KidsTown Adventure Playground
đź“Ť 7287 Midland Highway, Mooroopna VIC 3629
On the way home, we stopped at Shepparton KidsTown Adventure Playground.
It is a outdoor playground and can be a useful place to break up the drive, but it wasn’t one of the strongest stops from our weekend. Parts of it felt a little tired, and after visiting so many thoughtfully designed family attractions, it didn’t hold the boys’ attention for very long.
It may still suit families needing somewhere free to stretch their legs, but I wouldn’t personally plan the drive around it.
Lunch at Nagambie Brewery and Distillery
đź“Ť 295 High Street, Nagambie VIC 3608
We then continued to Nagambie for lunch at Nagambie Brewery and Distillery.
Nagambie is such a lovely lakeside town and makes a beautiful final stop before returning to Melbourne. The brewery overlooks the water and offers a relaxed place to enjoy lunch, a drink and a slower end to the weekend.
It also gave us a chance to walk around town and enjoy the lake before getting back in the car.
What I would do next time
Instead of stopping at KidsTown, I would probably continue further south and visit the Community Bank Adventure Playground in Wallan.
Community Bank Adventure Playground, 42-80 Bentinck Street, Wallan VIC 3756
This would break up the final stretch of the journey closer to Melbourne and give the children one last opportunity to run around before heading home.
Staying longer? Add these to your itinerary:
Two nights gave us a fantastic taste of the region, but there is enough nearby to turn this into a 4 or 5-night Murray River holiday.
Cactus Country
4986 Murray Valley Highway, Strathmerton VIC 3641
We visited Cactus Country during an earlier trip to the region. It is colourful and completely different from most family attractions in Victoria, with sprawling cacti gardens that feel almost otherworldly. Their tacos in the cafe are also super tasty!Â
Ski Beach and the Murray River
Cobram Barooga is made for warm-weather days beside the water. Pack a picnic and spend time swimming, fishing, kayaking or boating along the Murray River.
The wider Cobram Barooga area is known for sandy inland beaches shaded by river red gums, with Thompson’s Beach being one of the region’s best-known river spots.
Yarrawonga and Mulwala
Drive further east to explore Yarrawonga and Mulwala, visit nearby wineries or stop for lunch.
Purtle Park Adventure Playground, Bank Street, Yarrawonga VIC 3730
The Blacksmith Provedore, 84 Melbourne Street, Mulwala NSW 2647
My suggested route:
Day one
Melbourne → Kyabram Fauna Park → Shepparton Brewery → RACV Cobram Resort → Sporties Barooga → Bullanginya Dreaming
Day two
RACV Cobram Resort → Billabong Ranch → Echuca paddle steamer → Wildergreen Moama → RACV Cobram Resort
Day three
RACV Cobram Resort → Nagambie Brewery and Distillery → Community Bank Adventure Playground, Wallan → Melbourne
Final thoughts
What I loved most about this trip was the variety.
Within one long weekend, we walked through wetlands, tried local beers, stayed at a family resort, listened to Indigenous stories under illuminated river red gums, rode camels, travelled on a historic paddle steamer and discovered a restaurant that had created just as much space for children as it had for adults.
It never felt like we were doing the same kind of activity twice.
Two nights worked, but it was busy. Three or four nights would give you more time to enjoy the resort, explore the river and leave space for the spontaneous stops that often become the best part of a regional trip.
The Murray River region has so much more to offer families than one destination or one historic town. It is the kind of place where the journey between each stop becomes part of the experience, and where a longer stay gives everyone a chance to breathe a little deeper.
Want more adventures?
I’m always on the hunt for the best things to do around Melbourne and VIC – especially the ones where both kids and parents can actually enjoy themselves. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok for daily finds.
This itinerary is based on our own family trip along the Murray River.
RACV Cobram Resort kindly sponsored our accommodation for two nights, while Sporties Barooga generously hosted our dinner and covered our Bullanginya Dreaming experience plus EMBR kindly offered us a round of free drinks. Every other activity, meal and stop mentioned in this itinerary was paid for by us.
As always, every recommendation reflects my own experience and honest opinion.
Prices in this post reflect what we paid during our trip or the published prices available at the time of writing (Aug 2026). Opening hours, ticket prices and inclusions can change, so I always recommend checking directly with each venue before booking.
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