Unleash family fun

So, throw on a jacket, wrap yourself up in a scarf, put on your best beanie and explore.

Parks, many parks

Let’s start with the most cost-effective and healthiest activity for kids of all ages: visiting your local park.

We have some awesome parks like the Moama Adventure Park with its fort and Liberty swing, or you could throw a ball at a hoop or for your dog at Echuca East Playground and Dog Park.

Strike up a tune at the Girgarre Sound Trail or wander along the broadway at Barham Riverside Park.

For all the best parks in the area, go to campaspe.vic.gov.au/Recreation-events/Parks-sports-facilities/Parks-playgrounds or murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/Community/Park-and-spaces/Parks-and-playgrounds

Port of Echuca Discovery Centre and Kids Adventure Torchlight Tour

Did you know that entry to the Port of Echuca, the historical wharf and the discovery centre is free?

This makes the Port of Echuca the ideal day out for the whole family.

For mini adventure seekers, Kids Adventure Torchlight Tours will light up every Monday and Wednesday during the school holidays.

Kids go where no parent can and explore the historical port and wharf by torchlight.

The P.S. Pevensey cruises four times a day with commentary from the crew for a family trip down the river.

Visit portofechuca.org.au

TwistED Science

An all-ages science centre where everyone can explore the fun of science through play.

Climb the augmented reality gaming climbing wall, try an edible insect, meet the live specimens, explore the beehive and hang out while having hands-on fun in the playzone.

Visit: twistedscience.com.au

BBQ at Moama Beach

Grab a tray of snags, a sandwich loaf and a bottle of dead horse and head down to Moama Beach for a BBQ.

If you want to mix it up, there isn’t much that can’t be cooked on a Moama Beach free BBQ: eggs, bacon, hamburgers, a slab of fresh fish, maybe a chocolate-filled banana wrapped in a bit of al-foil.

Moama Beach is the ideal place to spend the day outside, exploring the riverfront and surrounding bush on the Moama Beach Nature Walk.

Visit: visitechucamoama.com.au/moama-beach

Billabong Ranch and Adventure Park

Find your favourite horse and take a trail ride along the river, have a pony ride or walk and feed the animals.

If four-legged friends are not your thing, there are pedal boats, rock climbing, mini golf, archery, Frisbee golf and a playground.

Enjoy a quick and easy meal in the cafe or winter warming hot chocolate. Relax at the boathouse with a beverage.

Visit: billabongranch.com.au

Build your own scavenger hunt.

All you will need is a sheet of paper and a packet of coloured pencils.

Put the kids in the car and take them on a long drive to explore the River Country Art Trail and Campaspe Art Trail.

As you visit the public artworks, sculptures, silo artworks and murals, make a list to see who can find the most things.

You can make lists of the birds, the people depicted, and the iconic Australian images to build your own family scavenger hunt.

While you are out and about, remember to stop at one of the many bakeries, country pubs or local milk bars to grab a bit of traditional Aussie tucker for lunch.

Visit: campaspe.vic.gov.au/Recreation-events/Visit-Campaspe/Trails-and-maps or yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/river-country-art-trail-2

Mini golf

Let the kids hold the scorecard and take the putting lead while you navigate through the 18-hole mini golf course at the Rich River Golf Club.

Open seven-days-a-week from 8am to 10pm.

Visit: richriver.com.au/mini-golf

Mountain biking

The Five Mile mountain bike trail provides 7km of purpose-built mountain bike trails.

Located in Murray Valley Regional Park, next to Murray Valley National Park, it’s one of the best places for mountain biking in the Riverina region.

The trails suit mountain bikers of all skill levels and offer a fun-packed day for the whole family with a unique mix of fast and rolling terrain with wall rides, drops and flowing bridges.

There are also a skills area, a pump track and a well-stocked inventory of berms, jumps and rollers.

Visit: visitechucamoama.com.au/moama-five-mile-mountain-bike-trail

Bird watching at the Reed Beds Bird Hole

Bring your camera for a stunning photo of an eastern great egret or a musk duck thrashing in the water to attract a mate.

Walking along the boardwalk, look for yellow rosellas and superb wrens or watch at the edge of the water for the purple swamphen.

Turn over the bird panels as you stroll along the boardwalk; check out which birds are vegetarians and which prefer frogs; find out who honks like a goose, but soars like an eagle.

Visit: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/reed-beds-bird-hide-boardwalk