The Sun Country on the Murray region is famous for its numerous stretches of pristine, sandy Murray River beaches.
With over 100 beautiful inland beaches there’s a perfect spot for everyone. These unique beaches are lined with towering gum trees and grass picnic areas and are ideal for swimming, fishing, boating and camping. You can even bring your dog to most of the beaches to enjoy the river with you.
The areas around Tocumwal and Cobram Barooga feature some of the best beaches and are extremely popular with visitors year in year out. The river twists and turns around these beaches snaking its way through the thick Murray region’s state forests. There are numerous walking trails at many of the beaches weaving their way through the unique native bushland and wetlands.
You will find access points to over 100 river beaches on both the NSW and Victorian side of the Murray River. Bush tracks (some are rougher than others) lead from the Murray Valley Highway, Goulburn Valley Highway and Tocumwal-Barooga-Mulwala Roads. Remember to check the current road and weather conditions, as some beaches may become inaccessible due to high water levels or rain.
Here are some of the more popular beaches in the Central Murray region.
Thompson’s Beach
A few minutes’ drive from the centre of town, Thompson’s Beach is located in an idyllic setting and is a lovely spot to soak up the tranquillity of the Murray River and is close to Cobram and Barooga. The locals claim that Thompson’s Beach is the largest inland beach in the Southern Hemisphere and when you visit it you will see why. Shaded by the magnificent, towering river red gums and floodlit in the evenings, it is the perfect spot to relax or for a family get-together. Enjoy a free electric BBQ’s, a playground area for children, swimming, walking, beach cricket, volleyball, canoeing and fishing. Spoil yourself and enjoy a close look of the river surrounds with a cruise on the unique Cobba Paddle Boat (see advert below).
Dead River Beach
Dead River Beach has an extended beach backed by a green grassed level bank shaded by stands of immature River Red Gums. It continues around into an old horseshoe bend, which the river now bypasses (the land to the west, on the new south bank of the Murray, is in NSW). Surrounded by River Red Gum flood plain forest prolific bird life and some cattle grazing.
Dead River Beach is just to the north-west of town along a track off Racecourse Road. Non flush toilets are provided. There are picnic areas to the north at Big Tom’s and Little Tom’s Beaches (access via Wondah Street).
Scott’s Beach
Just a few kilometres to the south-east of Cobram is Scott’s Beach, which has a large and popular camping and day visitor’s area. On the way to Scott’s Beach down River Rd, stop off at the Quinn Island wetlands, a nesting area for waterbirds that’s accessed by a footbridge.
Tocumwal Town Beach
Tocumwal Town Beach is located within walking distance to Tocumwal. Town Beach is another large beach and is popular with families and visitors with recreational boats. There is a campground adjacent the beach with camping available to caravans, motorhomes and tents.
Big Toms Beach
Big Toms Beach has an expansive 300m beach and plenty of flat, grassed areas. The low entry into the water here makes launching a rubber dingy or canoe really easy. The campground is an easy 15-¬20-minute walk into town. Access for Big Toms and neighbouring Little Toms Beach is via Wondah Street. Follow the track further west along the river to reach Dead End Beach campground.
Forges Beach No 1 and 2
Closer to Yarrawonga you will find the access to Forges No.1. This beach is one of the most popular sandy beaches on the Murray. Grassy banks make this an enjoyable place to visit.
Forges Bend gets busy over summer and public holidays. At other times of the year you can have the entire beach to yourself.
Forges No. 2 beach is popular with motorhome owners and those who fish.
Two-wheel drive access is possible to Forges No. 1 beach. However, the access can become slippery after rain and has limited access during the wetter months.
Forges No. 2 beach has good access most of the year but is closed regularly during periods of high water over winter.
Non-flush toilets and shared picnic tables are provided at this basic bush campground.