Barmah, Victoria sits at the start of the Barmah National Park, and it’s the only town North of the Murray River and is still in Victoria. It’s located around 230 km North of Melbourne, and it’s a well-known spot for bush-walking, camping, fishing, and canoeing. The National Park is home to some of the oldest Red River Gums that can grow up to 30 m tall. Some are estimated to be more than 500 years old!
The narrowest choke point of the Murray River lies upstream from Barmah. This narrow river section is bordered by the Barmah and Moira lakes. We will take a closer look at why you should visit and stay at Barmah for your next trip.
3 Days Staying At Barmah Bridge Caravan Park
After spending a long weekend enjoyable weekend, we traveled across the Bridge to Moama NSW. We followed the Cobb HWY for about 16kms, before turning left onto the Barmah Rd and continued for about 23kms to Barmah. As, we went across the bridge we turned right to the Barmah Bridge Caravan Park.
Staying at the Barmah Bridge Caravan Park in one of their self-contained cabins. There are also caravan sites down beside the River. Nestled along the picturesque Murray River, the cabins provide a comfortable and convenient accommodation option for travelers.
Equipped with modern amenities such as kitchen facilities, bathroom, and living areas, guests can enjoy the comforts of home while. Whether relaxing in the cabin’s, exploring the nearby walking trails, or indulging in water activities along the river. A stay at Barmah Bridge Caravan Park promises a rejuvenating escape in the heart of nature.
Interesting Things To See When Staying At Barmah Include:
Barmah Forest Heritage And Education Centre
To learn more about the culture and history of the region, it’s a great idea to visit the Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre in Nathalia. It is about 25kms from Barmah to Nathalia.
This covers ancient history up to more recent events with grounded stories that are enlightening. This centre is an excellent learning resource for schools and tour groups alike.
There is so much information at the centre. There are two floors filled with history of the area. What is was like living and working in the Barmah National Park area. The industry and businesses in the area. The person working the day we were there was helpful and shared their knowledge of the area with us.
There is also a cinema area set up to watch a couple of films about the area. You can make yourself a cup of coffee and sit down and watch them. The ground floor is painted with a scene which appears 3D. Rocks and native animals look like they are real and reaching up to you as shown in the images. We spent about three hours in the Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre in Nathalia. It is well worth a visit.
Big Strawberry At Koonoomoo
This is a giant roadside strawberry sculpture located in Koonoomoo, Victoria. It’s part of the “Big Things of Australia” collection, which includes oversized structures and sculptures found throughout the nation. The strawberry is several meters tall and it’s a symbol of strawberry farming found in the local area. Visitors can take photos, and there’s a nearby farm shop and an on-site cafe with opportunities to sample delicious strawberry treats.
But the real treat awaited us at the local café, where they served up the most exquisite strawberry cuisine imaginable. From classic strawberry shortcake to inventive creations like strawberry-infused beverages, every dish celebrated this beloved fruit.
One particular standout was their strawberry cheesecake, a decadent masterpiece that I enjoyed every creamy, berry-filled bite. The contrast of the rich, velvety cheesecake against the tartness of the strawberries was simply divine, leaving me longing for just one more slice.
And let’s not forget the strawberry ice cream, a creamy indulgence that provided the perfect refreshment on a warm summer’s day. Each spoonful was like a taste of pure bliss, cooling us down while simultaneously tantalizing our taste buds with its luscious strawberry flavor.
In Koonoomoo, strawberries aren’t just a fruit – they’re a way of life. And after experiencing their irresistible allure firsthand, I can certainly understand why.
Fresh strawberries may be available if they are in season. You can always find strawberry ice cream, preserves, and jams to eat or take home with you. This is a fun and quirky experience for the entire family. It’s a great way to contribute to local farmers and producers in the region.
Visiting The Big Kookaburra And Eagle
Leaving from Koonoomoo, we headed towards Ulupna, along an unsealed road. You pass by farming land, sheep grazing and at the time of the year we visited there were a lot of corn crops. As we drove we came across a local shifting some sheep to a paddock. We stopped and had a talk, and he was happy to share information about the local area.
Continuing along we found what we were looking for. A Big Kookaburra and Eagle. They were on private property, and had been built to attract tourists to the area. After purchasing this property they have also built an impressive fence and gate entrance.
We did continue on and were very close to the river. This is only a 4WD track, and we followed it for awhile and there were areas to camp. But then turned around and headed back to where we were stating. It was interesting as no phone service and we had been well and truly lost. Added a bit of fun to our trip.
Visiting Mathoura And Picnic Point
The Drive to the Picnic Point is another highlight. Form Barmah Bridge Caravan Park, to Picnic Point via Mathoura is about 50kms and takes about half an hour depending on traffic. At Picnic point you can walk along the Murray River. There are a number of caravan parks out in this area. Near picnic point there is a place to eat or get a cup of coffee, this was closed the day that we where there.
It is at Picnic Point where the Edwards River Branches off from the Murray River and heads towards Deniliquin. The Barmah Choke (Narrowing of the Murray River) is down stream from Picnic Point.
The Barmah Choke
This is the narrow part of the Murray River where it flows into the Barmah-Millewa Forest near the township. The river here is much narrower than any other section, and it has a major impact on flooding and high water levels that feed the wetlands.
There is a potential for flooding upriver, and the downstream water availability can be affected. The Barmah Choke presents a significant challenge for water resource allocation and management throughout the Murray-Darling River basin.
This affects irrigation, water storage, and environmental water management for ecosystems, wetlands, and agriculture. These various needs are balanced to ensure that the health of this crucial river system is maintained.
Things To Do In Barmah
Barmah, Victoria has a lot to offer for visitors who want to explore nature, local culture and enjoy the various recreational activities. There is a lot to see and do during your visit.
Firstly, you can explore the Murray River: This is the longest river in Australia, it’s a great place to stroll along the riverbank, enjoy a picnic, fish for native freshwater fish such as the Murray Cod, and explore the waterways by boat. This is a peaceful and immersive way to enjoy nature and unwind.
Don’t forget to include a visit to the Historic Barmah Ferry in your travel itinerary. This is a cable ferry that was the primary way for many people to cross the river until bridges such as the Echuca-Moama Bridge were built. The remnants of the ferry are still visible and they offer a fascinating insight into how Barmah and Momoa were connected for many years.
Barmah Hotel
The Barmah Hotel was a short walk from where we were staying. On our last night we went to the Hotel for tea. It was a busy place, but there was plenty of seating inside and out for patrons. We had a lovely meal and it didn’t take very long for them to prepare it. Well worth having a meal there when staying at Barmah.
History Of Barmah
The Yorta Yorta Nation have occupied this region for millennia and they maintain a deep connection to the Murray River and surrounding land. The Barmah Forest holds particular cultural significance and it was the location of important resources.
From the mid-19th century on-wards, European settlement began with exploration and colonization. The newcomers were attracted to the fertile floodplain, which was cleared for grazing and agriculture.
Barmah was established as a town to meet the growing needs of the community, and it acted as a hub for transportation and trade along the Murray River. Red Gum logging became a prominent industry because the timber was durable and versatile for shipbuilding, construction, and railway infrastructure.
However, the logging became too extensive leading to a loss of native wildlife habitat and the degradation of the environment. This prompted conservation efforts in the 20th century to protect the red gum forests and the local ecosystem. The Barmah National Park was established in 1982 and it’s jointly managed with the Yorta Yorta people.
History Of Barmah National Park
The Barmah township is located off the Murray Valley Highway exit along the Picola-Katunga Road travelling west. From there, the Moira Lakes Road can be followed from the Barmah Hotel for around 9 km to reach the edge of the Barmah National Park. Visitors can then follow the Sandridge Track to the cattle muster yards and the Dharnya Centre to begin their visit.
The Barmah National Park and the adjoining New South Wales Millewa Forest together form the largest River Red Gum forest on the planet. This is a complex ecology linked to the Murray River and the regular flooding. This is an important and diverse habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, especially waterbirds.
Four freshwater wetland types are present, and this area is home to 35 mammal, 28 fish, 20 reptile, 10 amphibian, and 220 bird species. There are untold numbers of insects present and almost 550 different plant species. In fact, this area is the last known natural nesting spot for the bright green Superb Parrot!
If you want to experience the forest and streams, you can travel on foot, by bicycle or in your motor vehicle on the graded tracks. Virtually every road heading north leads to a river access track between Barmah in the west and Strathmerton in the east. Any park visitor that crosses the bridge at Barmah should make their turn at the hotel to follow the Moira Lakes road. Here a State park can be found for hikers and campers and dogs are allowed.
Animals And Birds Found In The Barmah Area.
- Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae): These distinctive large birds can often be seen foraging in the open woodlands and grassy areas in the park.
- Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus): These are the iconic marsupials that most visitors to Australia want to see for themselves. Again, they can be observed grazing in grasslands and woodlands throughout the park.
- Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): This is another firm favourite with foreign visitors and city dwellers alike. Sadly, the numbers have declined in recent years, but they can still be seen in the remaining eucalyptus forests.
- Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis): These freshwater turtles can be seen swimming in the rivers, billabongs and wetlands or basking on rocks and logs.
- Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides): These reptiles have blue tongues that they use as a defence mechanism and they often can be observed sunning themselves in sandy areas or on rocks.
- Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae): This delightfully named bird can be heard calling in the morning and afternoon. They can be seen perching in trees along waterways and in woodlands throughout the park.
- Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus): These are larger water birds that roost in trees near waterways, and they frequently glide above the wetlands.
- Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii): This famous freshwater fish species is admired for its fighting capabilities and prized by anglers for its size and the skill required to land one.
- Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus): This blue-headed member of the Australasian wren family can be seen in shrubs near water sources in the park.
- Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor): These are smaller marsupials that can be observed in forested areas where they feed on grasses, herbs and leaves.
Lake Barmah And Moira Lake
Both Moira Lake and Lake Barmah are located in or very near to the Barmah National Park. These lakes offer a wide range of recreational activities for visitors to the area, including:
- Bushwalking: There are walking rails around both lakes and throughout the Barmah National Park to explore.
- Nature Photography: If you’re taking a break away, don’t forget your smartphone or camera to photograph the flora, fauna, and stunning landscapes.
- Birdwatching: The lakes and wetlands are a draw for birdwatchers to spot raptors, wading birds, and waterfowl in their natural habitats.
- Wildlife Observation: A wide variety of animals can be observed throughout the park, but the shorelines are the best places to see them clearly.
- Camping: Direct camping on the lake is rarely permitted, but there are designated camping areas with a great deal of variety in the facilities they offer.
- Fishing: This is popular on both lakes, there are designated fishing platforms or anglers can fish from a boat or along the shoreline. The most popular freshwater fish to catch include Murray Cod, Redfin and Golden Perch.
- Boating: Both lakes have ample opportunities for boating including canoeing, kayaking and some motorized boats. These are a great way to observe the wildlife from a different perspective and explore the waterways.
- Picnics: There are many picnic areas in the park with BBQ grills, toilets, picnic tables, and waste receptacles.
Wrapping Up Barmah Victoria
Barmah, Victoria offers a lot for visitors who want to explore nature and take part in recreational activities. It’s a great idea to plan your trip in advance; demand is always high, and the temperate climate makes this a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There are plenty of facilities in and around Barmah, but nearby Echuca is also well worth visiting.