Spring school holidays have a particular kind of magic on the Murray. The mornings have lost their chill, the kids can finally get outside without rugging up, and the whole region seems to loosen up a bit, riverbanks turning green, and outdoor tables and market stalls popping up again. Whether you're up for the day or a longer break, here's our pick of what to do with the kids this spring: from wildlife worth tracking down to towns worth a proper stop, and where to lay your head when the day's done.
The Murray comes alive in spring. Everything's blooming, the days are stretching out, and there's every reason to get the family outside and enjoy it. Plenty of easy, family friendly trails line the river, perfect for filling an afternoon.
Wonga Wetlands near Albury is a good place to start. It's five minutes from the Albury CBD, with a choice of short walking trails (the green loop is only 500 metres, so little legs can manage it) winding past lagoons, billabongs and century old river red gums. There are picnic tables and shaded, grassy spots dotted along the trails, but the easiest base is right by the old homestead near the car park, close to toilets too if little ones need them partway through. It's also nesting season for the local turtles, so if you spot a nest on the sandy banks, admire from a distance and leave them to dig in peace.
Further west, Barmah National Park is home to the largest river red gum forest in the world and a maze of lakes, lagoons and flooded forest that's genuinely magical in spring. The Dharnya Centre is the best starting point, it's the cultural hub of the Yorta Yorta people, with guided walks along the Yamyabuc Trail that make for an easy, informative outing with kids, and picnic areas nearby for lunch afterwards.
If it's kangaroos you're after, early morning or dusk near Barmah, Koondrook or Perricoota Forest is your best shot. Pack a picnic and settle in. They're wild, not on a schedule, but sightings are common enough.
There's no better introduction to the Murray than getting out onto it, and spring's mild days make it an easy, comfortable time to get started on the water.
In Echuca, the PS Canberra and PS Emmylou run by Murray River Paddlesteamers, recently backed by the APT Travel Group, offer short, family friendly cruises that give kids a real taste of the river's paddlesteamer history without asking too much of their patience. The historic Port of Echuca is also home to its own paddlesteamer heritage, with cruises departing right from the wharf precinct that's the heart of the town's riverboat story. Over at Yarrawonga Mulwala, the family owned PS Cumberoona cruises Lake Mulwala year round, with a licensed bar and kiosk on board and plenty of deck space for kids to move around.
For families who want to be more hands on, kayaking and canoeing hire is available up and down the river at spots like Yarrawonga Mulwala, Corowa, Mildura and Echuca Moama, with calm stretches well suited to first timers and older kids. A houseboat is worth considering too, especially over a few days, most operators have boats designed for families, and there's something about waking up on the water that no caravan park can quite match.
Swimming spots are coming back to life, though the water's still cool, think Thompson's Beach in Cobram or the sandy edges of Barmah Lakes, better suited to a paddle than a full plunge just yet.
Echuca Moama is the classic Murray River holiday town, and for good reason. The Port of Echuca precinct puts the paddlesteamers, the wharf and a genuinely good museum all within a short stroll, and there's ice cream, playgrounds and riverside paths to fill in the gaps between.
Mildura brings city polish with river ease, CBD murals, Jaycee Park playground right on the riverfront, and Lock 11, where kids can watch houseboats and paddlesteamers queue to change river levels, which is more mesmerising than it sounds. It's also worth the short drive out to Wentworth, where the Murray meets the Darling. The Visitor Information Centre has hands on farming and heritage exhibits that are great for keeping curious kids entertained on a hot afternoon.
Albury Wodonga offers twin city variety. Families should make a beeline for Belvoir Park, which has a zipline, a ninja course and a walk around the lake. Gateway Village, on the causeway between the two towns, is an easy stop for a break.
Swan Hill rewards a longer stop. Pioneer Settlement is a genuine half day (or more) for curious kids, and the Heartbeat of the Murray light and sound show is worth staying for if your holiday allows an overnight.
Yarrawonga Mulwala sits on Lake Mulwala and is built for families who like being near the water. Purtle Park Adventure Playground on the NSW side is a hit, and the flat foreshore path is easy going for bikes, scooters or a pram. Come evening, the free Laser Light and Sound Show at the Mulwala Water Ski Club is worth timing your visit around, a lakeside spectacle the whole family can enjoy.
Corowa rounds it out nicely as a quieter, slower paced stop, good for a picnic, a wander along the river, and a break from the itinerary
Feeding a family on the road is easy along the Murray. There's good coffee for you, ice cream for the kids, and enough variety to keep the whole car happy.
In Echuca Moama, stop by the Port Ice Creamery, and grab a coffee and milkshake with a view of the steamers at Watson St Pavilion. In Mildura, Shippy's Café and Bobby & Me both sit right next to a playground on the riverfront, so the kids can run around while you relax.
Farm gates and roadside stalls pop up along the river roads as spring produce comes in: citrus, stone fruit blossom, local honey, all good for an easy stop that breaks up a long drive.
For somewhere to actually sit down and eat, The Playpark next to the Moama Echuca Botanic Gardens is a great option. There's a shaded lawn, picnic tables, toilets and BBQs close by, plus a playground for kids of all ages.
Cellar doors along the river are increasingly family friendly, with grassed areas, playgrounds nearby, or simple kid friendly menus alongside the wine list. Morrisons Riverview Winery in Echuca Moama is a good example, with a big lawn, a playground right by the water and every seat in the restaurant looking out over the river, worth checking ahead if a relaxed lunch stop is part of the plan. And if you're travelling through on a Saturday morning, a local farmers market is often the easiest way to grab breakfast and let the kids stretch their legs at the same time.
Spring days are made for getting outside, and the Murray region has no shortage of ways to fill the days with fresh air and play.
Flat, well shaded bike trails run along the river at Echuca Moama, Yarrawonga Mulwala and Albury Wodonga, most of them easy enough for kids on their own bikes. In Echuca, the free Port Picnic Bike scheme is worth knowing about, a handful of community cruiser bikes with baskets, free to borrow for a loop around the Port precinct. Ebike hire is also increasingly available if you'd rather cover more ground without the effort. Fishing is another easy win, even a rod, a riverbank and low expectations can fill an afternoon, and it's worth checking local rules on size and bag limits before you cast off.
For rainy day or too much energy backups, mini golf courses and adventure parks are dotted through towns like Swan Hill, Yarrawonga and Albury Wodonga, and playgrounds along the river, Belvoir Park, Jaycee Park and Purtle Park among them, are genuinely worth planning a stop around rather than treating as an afterthought.
After dark, Bullanginya Dreaming at Bullanginya Lagoon in Cobram Barooga is well worth building an evening around. It's a 1.8 kilometre night walking trail through bushland, weaving together laser light art, sound and storytelling developed with the Bangerang People, a genuinely different way to end a day on the river, and one that older kids in particular tend to find captivating. Buses run visitors to and from the trailhead from the dedicated pick up point at Sporties Barooga as part of the ticket, so it's an easy one to plan around without needing to navigate in the dark.
Spring school holidays along the Murray usually bring a run of markets, fetes and outdoor events timed to make the most of the warmer weather, think community markets, local produce celebrations and family friendly festival days across the region's towns.
A few worth building a day around this year: the Cohuna Farmers and Makers Market kicks off on 20 September and runs monthly from there, right at Cohuna Garden Park. Over in Tocumwal, Unwrap the Magic: A Chocolate Journey runs through to 27 September, an immersive, guided experience at the Tocumwal Chocolate School that blends history, sensory exploration and flavour, and it lands squarely inside the school holiday window for both states. And if you're after something free and easy any Saturday of the break, the Echuca Moama and Albury parkruns are on every week, a flat 5 kilometre walk, jog or push along, no bookings required.
Because dates and line ups for other events shift from year to year, it's worth checking the Visit the Murray What's On page closer to the school holidays for anything newly confirmed.
Caravan and holiday parks remain the backbone of a Murray River family holiday, and most towns along the river have at least one right on or near the water, with the usual mix of powered sites, cabins and camp kitchens.
Family cabins are worth booking early over the school holidays, particularly in Echuca Moama, Mildura and Yarrawonga Mulwala, where demand climbs fast once the weather turns. If you'd rather bring the accommodation with you, houseboats are a genuinely different way to holiday on the Murray. Operators like All Seasons Houseboats in Mildura offer family sized boats with everything you need on board, spas included, so the "commute" to your next swim spot is however long it takes to walk to the back deck.
Whatever you choose, it's worth booking ahead, since school holidays fill up regardless of season.
When are the spring school holidays in Victoria and NSW in 2026?
Victorian government schools break from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026. NSW government schools break from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026, a slightly later, shorter window, so check which applies to you.
What's the weather like on the Murray in spring, and what should I pack?
Expect a wide range, mornings can sit in single digits while afternoons often reach the high teens to low 20s°C, and warmer inland spots like Mildura can occasionally push into the 30s by late September or October. Pack layers, a light jacket, and sun protection, and check the forecast for your specific town before you go.
What are the best Murray River towns for families?
Echuca Moama for paddlesteamers and the wharf precinct, Yarrawonga Mulwala for lake based play, Albury Wodonga for adventure playgrounds, and Swan Hill for a genuine half day (or more) at Pioneer Settlement.
Can you swim in the Murray in spring?
Yes, at known local swimming spots, though the water is still cool this time of year and river conditions can change. Check local signage and conditions, and supervise kids closely around any river or lake.
How do I book a paddlesteamer cruise?
Book directly with the operator, Murray River Paddlesteamers for PS Canberra and PS Emmylou in Echuca, or check current schedules for PS Melbourne, which moves along the river. Visit the Murray has links to operators, and it's worth booking ahead over school holidays.
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