From the serenity of the iconic Murray bushland to the charm of our riverside towns
Experiencing Echuca Moama on one of our walking trails is a 'must do' during every visit to the region.
Take a self-guided historic town walk and learn more about our region's legendary past, or head to the bush and let the fresh country air and sounds of nature revitalise your system. Below are some of our favourite trails and bushwalks in VIC and NSW, ranging from half-day bush walks to a short stroll around town taking in some of the interesting sites.
VICTORIAN WALKS
Banyule State Forest
START FROM: 2 Heygarth St, Echuca, VIC
TRAIL LENGTH: 6km return
KEY SITES: Banyule Forest
Commencing from Aquatic Reserve, 2 Heygarth St, Echuca. Follow the path around to the start of the levee bank where you will head off under the historic Echuca Moama Bridge.
A maze of tracks crisscross the Banyule Forest Area. Take your pick as you wander among the majestic gums so prominent in this area.
Following the track along the Murray River as you explore the Banyule Forest, making your way to the footbridge over the canal, along Moama Street and turn back into Packenham Street, which will lead you back into the town centre.
Campaspe River Walk
START FROM: Lions Park - Campaspe Esplanade, Echuca, VIC.
TRAIL LENGTH: 5km return
KEY SITES: Lions Park, Campaspe River
This walk follows the meandering Campaspe River through the urban area of Echuca. It utilises a sealed footpath/cycleway that provides for walkers, joggers and cyclists. The walk begins at Lions Park, which is a nice picnic spot beside the Campaspe River with a range of facilities. The walk then follows the river through natural bushland. Exercise equipment lines the path and seats are conveniently located at regular intervals. Two footbridges provide linkages across the river into the township. Once you reach the Warren Street Bridge you have the option of retracing your steps back to Lions Park, or crossing the Campaspe River and following the trail along the east side of the river, behind the shops and businesses in high street, before crossing back over the Anstruther Street footbridge.
Scenic Trail Walk
START FROM: Crofton Street, Echuca
TRAIL LENGTH: 6km return
KEY SITES: Murray River, Campaspe River
Enjoy the serenity of two rivers in one walk! The loop of the Scenic Trail will take you through bushland along the edge of the Murray River and Campaspe Rivers to the junction where they meet, and past many ancient indigenous sites, such as scarred trees, oven mounds and shell middens.
Park in Crofton Street and walk down towards Scenic Drive to connect up with the riverside bush walking trail. Travel the well made dirt tracks following the river, until you come to the signed junction area, where the rivers meet. You will also pass by the new Echuca Moama bridge as you reach the boat ramp area. Head back up to Crofton Street to complete your loop.
Koondrook Red Gum Forest Walk
START FROM: Condidorios Bridge, Koondrook, Approx 1 hour from Echuca Moama.
KEY SITES: Historic Condidorios Bridge, Gunbower stockyards, shell middens, Aboriginal mounds, scar trees, the Eagle Tree, wetlands, Chinamens’ Bend, rifle range, Three Corner Hole lagoon.
Turtle loop: Trail length: 13.2km, 3.5 hours return | Trail grade: Flat trail
Eagle loop: Trail length: 9.1km, 2.5 hours return | Trail grade: Flat trail
For the avid bushwalker, the Koondrook Red Gum Forest Walk takes you on an adventure through Gunbower State Forest, where you will not only get some exercise in the beautiful red gum forest, but also learn about its unique ecosystem and diverse history. Follow the Turtle or Eagle Loop and learn about the area, from its Indigenous significance and early European settlement to the modern day, on the interpretive story boards located along the walk.
Download the Koondrook Red Gum Forest Walk self guided map for trail information and points of interest.
Barmah National Park
Barmah National Park image credit: Visit Victoria
Barmah, VIC
Approx. 35 mins from Echuca Moama via NSW
START FROM: Dharnya Centre - Sandy Ridge Track, Barmah, VIC
Barmah National Park is home to the world's largest River Red Gum forest and has been home to the Yorta Yorta and other Aboriginal people for over 40,000 years. The Dharnya Centre, located on Sandy Ridge Track near Barmah, is a significant place of interest where you can see evidence of Indigenous living as well as European settlement. This is the base for three great nature based walks. Visit the Parks Victoria website for details on trail conditions, opening hours and safety information. You can also download the Barmah State Park and Barmah State Forest Visitor Guide for trail information and maps.
Barmah Lakes Loop Track
Trail length: 4km, 1.75 hours return
Trail grade: Flat trail
Starting at the Dharnya Centre, this walk takes you past the Murray River and Barmah Lake into Barmah State Park, a haven for birds and wildlife. Discover ancient Aboriginal sites such as kitchen middens, oven mounds and canoe trees in among the towering forest of river red gums. The track is used for walking and cycling, with sandy beaches nearby for kayaking, fishing, and resting tired legs!
Broken Creek Loop Walk
Trail length: 3.5km, 1.5 hours return
Trail grade: Flat trail
The walk skirts the Dharnya swamp, a low area subject to seasonal inundation, through River Red Gum and Grey Box Woodland to the Broken Creek. The track continues downstream along the Broken Creek, past a number of Aboriginal oven (cooking) mounds to Rices Weir.
Yamyabuc Discovery Trail
Trail length: 1.5km, 30 mins return
Trail grade: Flat trail
The trail is designed to introduce visitors to some of the natural and cultural features of the Barmah forest. Features of the walk includes evidence of Aboriginal and European occupation, the Barmah muster yards and aspects of park managements, forestry operations and water regulations.
NEW SOUTH WALES WALKS
Horseshoe Lagoon
START FROM: Horseshoe Lagoon - Shaw St, Moama NSW
TRAIL LENGTH: 1.5km return
KEY SITES: Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama Wetland & Floodplain Reserve
Set among Horseshoe Lagoon is Moama's Wetland and Floodplain Reserve. The area includes a horseshoe-shaped lagoon, a billabong, and is home to native birds, animals, plants and fish. Commencing from the parking area in Shaw Street, Moama, wander along the boardwalks, cycle the trails, indulge in some wildlife spotting or just enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this natural hidden gem. The reserve is widely used for walking, bird watching, running, bike riding, seed collecting and other low-impact activities. Interpretive panels throughout the area can help you to learn about the importance of wetlands and floodplains along the mighty Murray River.
Download the Echuca Moama Recreation Trails brochure
Moama Beach Walk
START FROM: Kerrabee Soundshell - Blair St, Moama
TRAIL LENGTH: 4km return
KEY SITES: Moama Beach, historic Echuca Wharf, Moama Slipway
Park the Car at the Moama's Kerrabee Soundshell and take the leisurely 10 minute walk along the dirt track until you come to the Moama Beach. The Moama Beach area is a popular picnic and recreation spot on the Murray River.
Head back along the same track a short way, and a left hand turn will take you along Forbes street to view Echuca's historic wharf from the opposite side of the river. Continue on until you come to the Moama Slipway, where you may be lucky enough to find one of our iconic paddlesteamers being slipped for repair. Retrace your steps back along the main track to return to Moama's Kerrabee Soundshell.
Gulpa Creek Walk
START FROM: Crane's Bridge, Mathoura, NSW. Approx. 35 mins from Echuca Moama
TRAIL LENGTH: 5km return, with option to add Poley's loop for an additional 3km return walk
TRAIL GRADE: Grade 3, easy flat walk
KEY SITES: Murray Valley Regional Park, NSW, Crane's Bridge, Gulpa Creek
Located in the Murray Valley Regional Park, this 5km return walk follows an easy, flat path along Gulpa Creek. The walk starts from Crane's Bridge in the historic town of Mathoura, with the colours and movement of birdlife around the creek and the light on the red gums making this walk quite special. Gulpa Creek is also a peaceful spot for canoeing or kayaking. What’s more, because of its location in Murray Valley Regional Park, you can even bring your dog along for the fun! You might also like to bring your binoculars and a bird book so you can identify the birds you see along the way. If you feel like more birdwatching, visit Reed Beds Bird Hide boardwalk in the nearby Murray Valley National Park.
View our Day in Murray Valley National Park itinerary to see how you can incorporate the Gulpa Creek Walk into a day spent among nature in the Murray Valley Regional and National Parks.
HERITAGE WALKS
Echuca Heritage Walk
START FROM: McDonalds - 479 High St, Echuca VIC
TRAIL LENGTH: 2km return
Let your mind drift back to a time when Echuca Moama was thriving under the steam of river and rail. Discover the sites where historic buildings once stood, and see some of the original buildings that have transformed over time. Use the Echuca Heritage Walk brochure to guide you, reading the plaques along the way.
Many of the historic buildings now house unique shopping opportunities, so make sure you allow time for a bit of retail therapy. Continue along the Mighty Murray or head to town for a coffee or to wander around the many shops on offer.
Rochester Heritage Walk
Rochester, VIC
Approx 20 minutes from Echuca Moama
Famous for its vibrant art community and art silos, Rochester is a charming town with country-style pubs, cafes and parks, 20 minutes south of Echuca Moama. Meander through history, pack a picnic and enjoy the Campaspe River or visit the bronze sculpture of the town’s favourite son, Sir Hubert Opperman.
Dr John Pearson Rowe set up accommodation for the many drivers and prospectors passing through the district. In 1854, the settlement around his hotel, was known as ‘Rowe’s Camp’ which after being named ‘Rowechester’ in the township survey was then, in 1855 gazetted as the traditionally English ‘Rochester.’
Download the Rochester Heritage Walk brochure and visit the Rochester town page to find out what else you can do when you visit.
Tongala Heritage Walk
Tongala, VIC
Approx 25 mins from Echuca Moama
Tongala is a short drive south-east of Echuca and home to the Golden Cow Dairy Industry Training Centre, which boasts having the best milkshakes in Australia! The Centenary of Federation in Australia saw an opportunity for the community of Tongala to obtain Government funding to create a reminder of village and district history and its way of life through a set of Murals. The town now boasts eleven murals that have given the town a colourful outlook.
Download the Tongala Heritage Walk brochure and visit the Tongala town page to find out what else you can do when you visit.
Lockington Heritage Walk
Lockington, VIC
Approx 25 mins from Echuca Moama
A short drive south-west of Echuca is Lockington.
Take a walk through the channel network in the middle of town to see the ‘Loch Ness Yabby’ or visit the Lockington and District Living Heritage Complex, a local history museum featuring an array of heritage farming equipment.
Download the Lockington Heritage Walk brochure and visit the Lockington town page to find out what else you can do when you visit.
Stanhope Historical Walk
Stanhope, VIC
Approx 35 mins from Echuca Moama
Stanhope is located south east of Echuca, and is a small town offering gift shops, cafes and a wine bar. Points of interest along the walk are the McEwen Park, Stanhope Hotel and W.H Emmett & Co.
Download the Stanhope Heritage Walk brochure and visit the Stanhope town page to find out what else you can do when you visit.
Mathoura Walks
Mathoura NSW, began as a market garden and a pub on a drovers’ track in the mid-1800’s and built itself as a timber source for the developing young nation Australia. Today, it has become a mecca for lovers of a gentle country lifestyle and those seeking peaceful holidays and forests, waterways and a beautiful natural environment.
Wander around Mathoura and learn about it’s heritage while on the Heritage Trail. What’s special about this trail? Each plaque has a raised picture which you can copy by placing a piece of paper on top and rubbing with a pencil!
Download the Mathoura Heritage Trail Brochure | Download the Mathoura Recreation Trails brochure
Special Offer from National Parks
Look out for a $15 discount on Annual Passes to NSW national parks (All Parks Pass and Multi-Parks) when you renew a NSW vehicle registration online. This will sort out vehicle entry for a whole year’s worth of activities such as your next ski trip, a couple of picnics in spring, and bushwalks to your favourite secluded beach on hot summer days.Your support helps maintain visitor facilities, protect bio-diversity and conserve sites of cultural significance. Visit the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website for more information.
Download the Murray Valley Regional and National Parks map