Things to do in Cobram, Victoria

The best things to do in Cobram, Victoria, include Cobba Paddleboat Cruises and birdwatching on Quinns Island. But the main Cobram attractions are the Murray River beaches, including Dead River Beach, Little Tom’s Beach and Thompsons Beach.

Cobram, Victoria, is primarily an agricultural town in the heart of Victoria’s food basket. It’s a border town on the Murray River, and is essentially the same settlement as Barooga in New South Wales.

There aren’t too many things to do in Cobram itself, but the town is in the middle of the Murray Farm Gate Trail. Manto Produce grows peaches, apricots, cherries, apples and figs, selling them straight from the orchard at their shop. And the Big Strawberry in neighbouring Koonoomoo offers pick-your-own strawberries.

Things to do in Cobram, Victoria: Murray River beaches

The main Cobram attractions, however, are the Murray River beaches. Now, these are by no means the beaches that Australia is famous for. You’re not going to get great surfing or snorkelling in Cobram, Victoria. But there are some decent stretches of sand along the Murray River, and you can happily go for a refreshing swim on a cold day.

The Cobram Regional Park and Murray Valley Regional Park line up against each other across the border. Within these green spaces, there are several Murray River beaches in Cobram/ Barooga. Smithers Beach, Dead River Beach and Little Tom’s Beach are at the northern end, and Quicks Beach is at the southern end.

What to do in Cobram, Victoria: Thompsons Beach & Cobba Paddleboat Cruises

Top of the list of things to do in Cobram, however, is decamping to Thompsons Beach. Local boosterism would have you believe this is the biggest inland beach in Australia, but it’s fair to say no-one has bothered checking.

Thompsons Beach in Cobram, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Thompsons Beach has a big park behind it, and great facilities amongst the river red gum trees. There’s a children’s playground, plus a toilet block and free-to-use public barbecues. This Cobram beach is also floodlit in the evenings.

Cobba Paddleboat Cruises also departs from just next to Thompsons Beach. These Murray River paddlewheeler cruises pootle up and down the river for an hour or an hour-and-a-half, depending on which departure time you choose.

Things to do in Cobram, Victoria: Quinns Island

Another spot worth seeing in Cobram is Quinns Island. Within the Cobram Regional Park, this Murray River Island has been created by a small anabranch. Scott’s Creek cuts across a bend in the Murray, creating an island. Quinns Island is kept as a reserve for waterbirds. Birdwatchers can see what species are hanging around from the big bird hide.

Quinns Island also has cultural heritage, too. Signs of Aboriginal inhabitation, such as scar trees, flint tools and middens, are on this 40 hectare island. A 3.2km walking track will show off the highlights of Quinns Island.

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