When you think of summer, you probably think of long hot days spent at the beach, cooling off with a dip and finishing the day with an ice cream. It’s a classic Aussie pastime for a reason. But did you know you can find some of the best beaches in Australia hundreds of kilometres from the ocean?
The Murray River has hundreds along its length, ready for endless adventures.
“Can you swim in the Murray River?” is a question we’re often asked, and the answer is yes. It’s a unique experience because you can enter the river in one state and emerge in another — the north side is New South Wales and the south is Victoria. (The border is the top of the river’s southern bank, if you want to be precise.)
We’ve gathered up 6 of our favourite beaches and swimming spots you can visit this summer, but don’t let that stop you from ticking more off your bucket list! You’ll find plenty around the laid-back towns of Cobram, Barooga and Tocumwal, and quite a few sprinkled throughout The Murray region.
So, are you ready to explore?
A quick note just before we dive in… We know our rivers, lakes and inland waterways are stunning, but they can have hidden dangers from submerged objects to strong currents, so please take extra care when you visit. We’ve got some tips from Royal Life Saving Australia down below and encourage you to never swim alone and take care as you enter the water slowly and feet first.
Biggest doesn’t always mean best, but this one’s worthy of the title and the perfect place to start your adventure. Thompson’s Beach is the largest inland beach in the entire Southern Hemisphere and voted Australia’s 12th best in 2022.
Here you’ll find a huge stretch of white sand and towering river red gums waiting for you. Slip, slop, slap and play in the sand or let the cool water lure you in on a hot summer day. Fishing and kayaking are also popular around here — and top-notch ways to soak up the scenery if you ask us.
Make a day of it because right next door is The Beach Cobram, a café serving up all day breakfast and lunch, along with essentials like gelato (check opening hours before you visit).
You’ll want to spend even longer around here because Thompson’s Beach is on a bend of the Murray River at Cobram, just a few minutes’ drive to Barooga and with visitor favourites like Bullanginya Dreaming and Cactus Country nearby.
With no coastline in sight, you might be surprised to learn of a lifesaving club along the Murray at Mildura. It’s 4.5 hours’ drive from Adelaide and around 6 from Melbourne, but Australia’s first inland lifesaving club was established here in 1937.
The Mildura Life Saving Club is affiliated with Life Saving Victoria and based at Apex Park. They typically patrol on weekend afternoons from the last weekend in November through to the March long weekend (Victorian) and over Easter.
Take a dip, relax on the banks or wander along the river on nearby walking tracks. You can also stay just metres away at the Apex RiverBeach Holiday Park.
We’ll wrap Hennessey and Sonnemans Beach up as one option for you since they’re right next to each other in the Murray Valley National Park near Tocumwal. It’s a peaceful spot by the water, but it’s less than 10 minutes to town. Convenient, right?
Hennessey has plenty of room for camping if you’d like to stick around a while (book your spot via NSW National Parks for a small fee), while Sonnemans Beach is favoured by anglers and also has a boat ramp.
In town, head for the free splash park the kids will love.
You’ll find more than one river in our region, in Deniliquin (Deni, as the locals call it) the main attraction is the Edward River (Kolety).
McLean Beach is a favourite for swimming and skiing, and close to the centre of town. It’s also start of the Beach to Beach Riverside Walk, a scenic route through to Willoughbys Beach in the Murray River Regional Park. The walk takes less than an hour and can be broken into sections if you want to stop along the way.
Summer days can get warm around here so take shelter in the hottest part of the day with a visit to The Depot Historic Vehicle and Memorabilia Collection. They’ve got interactive displays and stories to uncover, as well as the 1950s style Cruzin Diner where you can grab lunch.
A short, 15-minute drive from Swan Hill in our region’s west, Lake Boga is both a town and an actual lake. Tackle just about any water activity you like here: swimming, fishing, skiing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. The lake is 3 kilometres across, so there’s room for everyone, plus a walking track around it if that’s more your style.
While you’re here, discover why the lake played a key part in Australia’s defence during World War II. The Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum is right on the foreshore and was once a repair and service depot for flying boats during the war. It now houses rare memorabilia, a restored Catalina A24-30 and the original secret communication bunker.
One of the reasons visitors love Lake Mulwala is the eerie sight of the ghost trees, flooded when this man-made reservoir was first created. They emerge from the water as levels ebb and flow.
It’s those same submerged trees that can offer unexpected dangers when swimming. The Lake Mulwala Swimming Pool — our region’s version of a sea bath — offers a safer, more protected experience. Enjoy the Yarrawonga Foreshore with a freshwater dip in the swimming pool or let the kids loose at the nearby splash park, an accessible water play space.
P.S. If you’re around Lake Mulwala and haven’t booked accommodation yet, you might like The Sebel Yarrawonga. Their incredible infinity pool has some of the best lake views without the crowds, but access is only for hotel guests. If you’re not staying on site, you can enjoy the same views over a drink at the Sunset Poolside Bar (and would you mind if we join you?).
Swimming isn't the only way to enjoy the water this summer. You'll find many of these spots can be the perfect place to launch a kayak or throw in a line and see if you can reel in an elusive Murray cod. The river is perfect for cruising too with a fleet of paddlesteamers and houseboats to stay dry while you explore.
Our region is picturesque, but beneath the surface of our waterways can lurk hidden dangers. We encourage you to enjoy everything on offer in the safest possible way, so take note of these river safety tips from Royal Life Saving Australia.
Stay safe and enjoy exploring. We’d love to welcome you back to the Murray region again and again and again.
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