With so many great road trips to be explored across Australia, it’s no wonder why so many of us opt to travel interstate during the summer and school holidays.
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But why not take your staycation one step further by exploring all that Victoria has to offer on your next family getaway?
While many would head down the Peninsula towards our beaches and famous coastal roads, we recommend heading north instead.
Let us take you on a little off road bush trek, as we head along the banks of the mighty Murray River, focusing on the humble waterfront township of Cobram – a beloved family-friendly destination that can be found on the winding Great River Road.
Set your Home Base in Cobram
The riverside town of Cobram, Victoria is one of the most iconic destinations across the Murray River for a few key reasons.
From beautiful shores close to the town to towering desert cacti, Cobram and its surrounds provide a vibrant contrast of inland environments.
For instance, as you drive into town, you can come across Thompsons Beach, which also happens to be Australia’s largest inland beach.
On summer days, many Cobram locals while away the hours paddling and swimming around beautiful bushlands, whilst seeking shade under red gum eucalyptus trees.
Then come into a little patch of desert in Cactus Country and discover how some of the plants with the toughest exteriors can make the sweetest syrups.
With honey extracted from the beehives just shy of the desert cafe, you'd never think that something so sweet on your scones could come from the hardiest plants outside in the direct sun.
Thanks to the town being close to the water’s edge, there’s also plenty of riverside accommodation in Cobram, so you can enjoy stunning waterfront views from sunrise to sundown whilst still being just a stone’s throw from all these delightful local attractions.
Visit the Big Strawberry
Of course, there’s more to Cobram than just freshwater beaches and Cactus Country. Cobram is also renowned for being a region with a strong agricultural history.
From its many olive groves producing quality olive oil to gorgeous berry farms where you can fill whole punnets to fuel your travels, there’s a little something for every foodie out in this neck of the woods.
But you won’t have to scour roadways for signs of berry farms, no.
Not with the Big Strawberry just a quick 5-minute drive from Cobram town centre!
If there's one thing that we have made Australia famous for, it's our big cultural monuments.
From the big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW, to of course the Big Pineapple in Woombye, QLD and of course, our very own state of Victoria hosts the Big Koala tourist centre, at Dadswell Bridge near Horsham (and another statue in Cowes, Phillip Island just to add to it).
But the Big Strawberry on the Goulburn Valley Hwy, between Cobram and Tocumwal, offers more than just a fun photo op.
A large strawberry farm, with a quaint little cafe, this attraction, situated in the town of Koonoomoo, can give you the opportunity to pick your own local produce, that you can snack on while visiting the area.
You can also feast on some of their delicious menu options, including, but not limited to, and when in season, some freshly made strawberry jam and their scrumptious strawberry pancakes.
We recommend spending at least one afternoon exploring all that this particularly sweet attraction has to offer.
Walk through the Quinns Island Wetlands
If you're a true nature lover, who loves to get off the beaten track, Cobram and its surroundings are among the perfect country landscapes to leave the inner city behind and go deep into the Victorian bush.
A particularly wonderful spot to take a bush walk through is the Quinns Island Wetland Sanctuary.
Teeming with waterfowl and other native birdlife, this wild attraction will see you and your travel party trek along paths towering with beautiful native red gum trees and silver wattle forest.
A good camera is an absolute must to capture all the many vibrant colours that paint the Australian bush.
Birdwatchers and photography fans will also enjoy watching the water birds forage for their feast.
If you’re extra lucky, you may be able to snatch a glimpse of an elusive kingfisher or egret diving for their scaly lunch.
Make a catch on the Murray at Tocumwal
If there is one thing that many road trekkers head to the Murray River for, aside from its inland sandy shores and produce, it's the opportunity to set out the rod and reel and have a peaceful way and hope of catching a meal.
While you may need a NSW fishing licence to angle along the river, the towns of Cobram, Barooga and Tocumwal offer some wonderful angling spots if you want to try your luck.
Aside from the well known Murray cod that bear the river's name, it is also good for yabbies (small freshwater crayfish), and golden perch.
And if you don't get lucky catching a real cod, you and the family can always catch sight of yet another of the ‘BIG’ things on the Aussie map - ‘the Big Cod’ in Tocumwal.
Explore the Murray in all its Majesty on your next Victorian Getaway
From country produce and fishing spots to big attractions and big inland beaches, the township of Cobram in the heart of the Murray River region is undoubtedly one of Victoria’s most understated hidden gems.
So the next time you’re planning a staycation in Australia’s garden state, set your charts to the Great River Road to enjoy all the local delights and sights of Cobram that we’ve shared today.
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