Mathoura, NSW: What are the best attractions and things to do?

The best things to do in Mathoura, NSW, include the Long Paddock Visitor Centre, the Gulpa Island Drive and the Reed Beds Bird Hide.

Mathoura, NSW, is one of those towns you visit without realising you’re there. It’s not really the destination – the destination just happens to be within its boundaries.

Mathoura is just north of Echuca-Moama in the Riverina region of New South Wales. It’s a very small town, but one that happens to be the gateway to the Murray Valley National Park.

Things to do in Mathoura, NSW: Long Paddock Visitor Centre

The main place of interest in the part of Mathoura than makes an attempt at being a town is the Long Paddock Visitor Centre. This is the place to gather information for travelling on the Cobb Highway towards Deniliquin, Hay, Booligal, Ivanhoe and Wilcannia.

The Cobb Highway is an amalgamation of long-standing stock routes, and the Long Paddock Visitor Centre tells the history of travelling through this slice of country Australia.

Mathoura, NSW: Gulpa Island Drive

The main things to do in Mathoura are in the Murray Valley National Park, however. The Gulpa Island Drive is a 100km scenic driving route through the tall river red gums of the national park. There’s no need to do all of it, as it’s a messy hodge-podge of loops. The section heading to the Edward River Bridge Picnic Area is the best bet.

You can also stop at the 5km Gulpa Creek Walk for a 60 to 90 minute leg-stretch. This walk follows Gulpa Creek, and there’s plenty of birdlife to see along the way.

Mathoura, NSW, attractions: Reed Beds Bird Hide

If it’s birds you want, however, the main attraction in Mathoura is the Reed Beds Bird Hide. Accessed via a 1km return walk along a boardwalk, the Reeds Bed Bird Hide looks out over the wetlands.

The Reed Beds Bird Hide Boardwalk in Mathoura, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Crucially, though, there are spinnable panels along the way explaining exactly which birds you’re looking at. These panels are done in a kid-friendly way, explaining the characteristics of the birds and the noises they make.

Other attractions nearby include the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre in Echuca and Barmah National Park.

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