Murray River Spring Guide: Ulupna Beaches, Koalas And Cup Weekend
Spring is when the Murray around Ulupna, Strathmerton, Cobram and Tocumwal wakes up. The red gums are loud with birds, the evenings are still cool enough for a fire, the long weekends start stacking up and the river itself is running high and fast. This guide covers what the river is actually like this spring, which Ulupna Island beaches were open when we checked, where to see koalas, why Murray cod are off limits until December, and how to plan the Melbourne Cup long weekend around two riverside markets on the same Saturday morning.
Key Takeaway
The Ulupna stretch of the Murray is at its best in October and November, but spring 2026 has brought high water and flood closures in parts of Barmah National Park. Check park alerts before any forest drive, leave the cod alone until 1 December, and fill long weekends with markets, koalas and riverside meals.
Before You Head To The River
Three quick checks save a lot of wasted driving and keep everyone safe on a spring trip.
1Park alerts: Check which Barmah National Park and Ulupna Island sites are open on the day you plan to visit.
2River conditions: Look at current river levels and weather before swimming, paddling or walking low tracks.
3Fishing rules: Murray cod are in their closed season until 30 November, so rig for other species or leave the rods at home.
Build A Spring Weekend Around Three Things
Spring trips here work best with one river plan, one town plan and plenty of time at home by the water.
1The forest: Point Beach, Carters Beach and the red gums of Ulupna Island for birds, koalas and a picnic.
2The towns: Cobram, Tocumwal and Strathmerton for markets, coffee, the Big Murray Cod and a playground stop.
3The evenings: A barbecue, a fire when conditions allow, and the last light on the river.
Why Spring Is The Season To Discover This Stretch Of The Murray
Ulupna is a quiet farming and river locality on the Victorian bank of the Murray between Strathmerton, Cobram and Tocumwal: paddocks, gum-lined roads, sandy river bends and the edge of Ulupna Island, part of Barmah National Park. This is Yorta Yorta country, and Parks Victoria manages the national park jointly with the Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation.
Summer here is about swimming, boats and heat. Spring is different: the forest floor is green, waterbirds are breeding, and a morning walk, a long lunch outside and a fire after dark all fit into the same day.
It is also the start of the long-weekend run: school holidays in early October, the Melbourne Cup long weekend in early November and the Strawberry Fields festival at Tocumwal later that month. Book early for those dates, or use the weeks in between for the quietest version of the river.
The practical distances from Ulupna help. Strathmerton is about 12 minutes by car, Cobram about 19 minutes and Tocumwal about 23 minutes, according to the current listing information for Bob's River House. The nearest Ulupna Island beaches are closer still.
Spring on the Murray is quieter than summer and more varied: forest walks in the morning, towns and markets at midday, and the river at dusk.
What The River Is Like In Spring 2026
The Murray has been running high this spring. When we checked Parks Victoria's Barmah National Park pages in late September 2026, a flooding alert was in place. It said areas of Barmah National Park, the Proposed Murray River Park and Tocumwal Regional Park had been closed for public safety, and that most tracks and visitor sites had become inaccessible to vehicles because of local rain and rising river levels. The park map attached to the alert was dated 18 August 2026.
That does not mean the whole area is off limits. The alert listed sites that remained open, several of them on Ulupna Island, and warned that more areas could close at any time.
Listed as open on Ulupna Island
Carters Beach camping areas 1 to 3, Labbets Beach, Doctors Beach, Point Beach, Wide Beach, Long Beach, Brean's Beach, Forest Beach and The Junction camping area, as found in late September 2026.
Affected by the closures
Ulupna Beach camping area and Little Ulupna Creek camping area were shown as affected by flooding when we checked. Do not drive around closure signs.
How to get in
Parks Victoria described the open areas as accessible by four-wheel drive, with water crossings possible. A standard car may not be suitable on wet forest tracks.
Check the Parks Victoria Barmah National Park page or call 13 1963, and look at current Murray-Darling Basin Authority river data before committing a day to the forest. If a track is wet, closed or under water, turn around.
High water changes the beachesWhen the river is up, sandy beaches shrink or disappear, banks turn soft and the current runs faster than it looks.
Point Beach And Carters Beach: The Closest Sand
The two river beaches closest to Bob's River House are Point Beach and Carters Beach, both on Ulupna Island. The listing information puts Point Beach about 5 minutes away by car or about 35 minutes on foot, and Carters Beach about 6 minutes by car or about 33 minutes on foot. Ulupna Beach is about 13 minutes by car.
Both were on Parks Victoria's list of open Ulupna Island sites when we checked in late September 2026. They are classic Murray River beaches: a bend of sand under big red gums with a view across to the NSW bank.
In spring, use them for a morning walk, a picnic, birdwatching and a paddle at the edge on a warm day, and hold off on serious swimming until the water warms and the river settles.
Because both beaches are inside Barmah National Park, park rules apply. Dogs, cats and other pets are not permitted in the park, although assistance dogs are welcome. Collect only dead wood from the ground for any permitted campfire, take rubbish home, and never camp or park under overhanging branches: Parks Victoria warns that limbs and trees may fall.
Walking to the beachThe listing's walking times are handy on a dry day, but in a wet spring some low ground and tracks may be muddy or under water. Drive, or walk only where the ground is firm and the route is clearly open.
Koalas, Kangaroos And Spring Birds On Ulupna Island
Ulupna Island sits between the Murray and Ulupna Creek, an anabranch of the river, and its nearest town is Strathmerton. It was protected as the Ulupna Island Flora Reserve before becoming part of Barmah National Park in 2010, and it escaped much of the grazing and logging that changed the wider Barmah forest. The result is an unusually good stand of river red gum open forest.
It is best known for koalas, which are regularly seen in the red gums throughout the year. Parks Victoria lists grey kangaroos, emus and koalas as common in the park. Look into the forks of the bigger trees, drive slowly, and try early morning or late afternoon.
Spring is peak bird season. Parks Victoria says more than 200 bird species have been recorded in Barmah National Park and that it is one of Victoria's largest waterbird breeding areas. Species mentioned include brolgas, night herons, spoonbills, sea eagles, azure kingfishers, galahs, cockatoos, cockatiels and the endangered superb parrot. Bring binoculars and keep your distance from nests.
Do not feed wildlife
Parks Victoria says it is an offence to feed wildlife or leave food where animals can reach it. Keep picnic food packed away.
Sick or dead birds
The park carried an H5 bird flu alert when we checked, asking visitors not to touch or approach sick or dead birds or other wildlife.
Give koalas space
Watch quietly from the track, do not try to get them to move, and keep children close and calm near the trees.
Spring River Safety For Families And Groups
The Murray is at its least forgiving in spring. Water that looks slow on the surface can be moving fast below, it is still cold after winter, and high flows push debris downstream. Life Saving Victoria's inland waterway advice boils down to a few points.
1Enter slowly: Life Saving Victoria notes that many Victorian rivers stay cold all year, so ease in and let your body adjust.
2Watch for snags: Murky water can hide snags, rocks and submerged trees. Never dive or jump in.
3Respect the current: Fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet even when it is surprisingly shallow.
4Wear lifejackets: Life Saving Victoria says to always wear one when boating or using watercraft, and Victorian rules require lifejackets for children under 12 on any vessel.
5Keep alcohol away from the water: Save the drinks for the verandah, not the riverbank or the boat.
6Swim with a mate: Nobody swims alone, and an adult watches children at the water's edge at all times.
If you bring a kayak or boat, check current boating rules and high-flow warnings before launching, and never drive into floodwater on forest tracks.
Fishing In Spring: Murray Cod Are Closed Until December
The Murray is famous for Murray cod, but spring is their breeding season and the fishery is closed. The Victorian Fisheries Authority lists the Murray cod closed season as 1 September to 30 November inclusive, and NSW fisheries also close the species for the same three months, reopening on 1 December. Murray cod cannot be kept during this period, and the fisheries and angling bodies ask anglers to give the fish a rest on the nest rather than target them for catch and release.
When the season reopens, remember that the Murray River itself is managed under NSW rules, even from the Victorian bank. NSW DPIRD's current bag and size table, as found in September 2026, lists a 55cm to 75cm slot for Murray cod, a daily bag limit of two and a possession limit of four. Creeks, lagoons and backwaters on the Victorian side follow Victorian rules, which are different (a bag limit of one Murray cod in rivers), so check which state's rules and licence cover the exact spot you plan to fish. Murray crayfish cannot be kept on this stretch of the river.
That still leaves room for a line in for other species. Check current size and bag limits for anything you plan to keep.
If you hook a cod by accidentHandle it as little as possible, keep it wet, release it quickly and move to a different spot or change your rig so you are not targeting cod again.
Melbourne Cup Long Weekend On The Murray: Two Markets, One Saturday
Melbourne Cup Day falls on Tuesday 3 November 2026 and is a Victorian public holiday, unless a regional council has arranged an alternative local holiday, so check Moira Shire's arrangements if the Tuesday matters to your plans. For most Victorian visitors that turns the first weekend of November into a four-day break, and the river is a natural place to spend it.
The best part of that weekend for visitors is Saturday 31 October, when two of the area's markets run on the same morning.
Cobram Lions Log Cabin Market
Saturday 31 October 2026, 8am to 1pm, Federation Park, Punt Road, Cobram. It runs on the last Saturday of the month, according to Moira Shire's 2026 market calendar.
Tocumwal Foreshore Market
Saturday 31 October 2026, listed on the market's own page as the Melbourne Cup weekend market, running 8.30am to 1pm on the Tocumwal foreshore beside the river.
How to do both
Start early at Cobram, then drive on to Tocumwal for a late-morning browse, the Big Murray Cod and lunch by the river before heading home to Ulupna.
The Tocumwal Foreshore Market describes a mix of farm produce, gourmet treats, preserves, handmade jewellery, candles, homewares, plants, crafts and gifts. Volunteer-run markets can change at short notice because of weather, so check each market's page in the week before you go.
Cup Day itself can be a relaxed day at home: the race on the television, something on the barbecue and an afternoon by the water.
Saturday of Cup weekend is the one morning this spring when Cobram and Tocumwal both have markets on. Go early and make a day of it.
Spring Market Dates Around Ulupna
Beyond Cup weekend, there is a market most weekends somewhere within reach. These are the dates we found for October and November 2026 in the Moira Shire 2026 market calendar and on the Tocumwal market's page. Treat them as a guide and confirm closer to the day.
Numurkah Lions Market
Saturday 17 October 2026, 8am to 12pm, beside Broken Creek on Tunnock Street, Numurkah. It runs on the third Saturday of every second month.
Cobram Lions Log Cabin Market
Saturday 31 October and Saturday 28 November 2026, 8am to 1pm, Federation Park, Punt Road, Cobram.
Tocumwal Foreshore Market
Saturday 31 October 2026, 8.30am to 1pm, on the foreshore. The organisers note that most dates fall on long weekends.
The calendar also lists a Strathmerton Market at the public hall on the Murray Valley Highway, with 2026 dates still to be confirmed when we checked. If you are staying further into the month, Yarrawonga's Rotary Market (third Sunday) and Farmers and Craft Market (fourth Sunday) make a longer day trip up the river.
Take a cool bag for produce and some cash for smaller stalls.
Spring School Holidays: Easy Family Days Close To The River
The Victorian spring school holidays run from Monday 21 September to Friday 2 October 2026, with Term 4 starting on Monday 5 October. In NSW, the spring holidays run from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026, with Term 4 starting on Tuesday 13 October. A small number of NSW schools near the border use different dates.
These low-effort outings work even when the forest tracks are wet.
Thompsons Beach, Cobram
Moira Shire lists toilets, parking, a barbecue, picnic tables, seating and a playground among the trees beside Thompsons Beach on Thompsons Beach Road.
The Big Strawberry, Koonoomoo
At 7034 Goulburn Valley Highway. Its website lists a licensed family cafe, an indoor playground at $5 per child aged three to twelve, and a see-through indoor beehive.
The Big Murray Cod, Tocumwal
Visit NSW describes the Big Murray Cod in Tocumwal Foreshore Park, a classic photo stop that pairs well with a riverside picnic.
Opening hours for The Big Strawberry differed between sources when we checked: its own website listed 8am to 4.45pm daily, while the Visit Melbourne listing showed 9am to 3pm. Call ahead on 03 5871 1300, and ask whether pick-your-own strawberries are running before promising the kids a punnet.
Visit Victoria lists Thompsons Beach as open at all times with free entry, with the old Cobram-Barooga bridge in view. Moira Shire began upgrades there in 2025, including accessible footpaths, all-abilities parking and new shade, so check the council website for any current works notices. Cobram, about 19 minutes away, is also the place for your main grocery run, with Strathmerton about 12 minutes away for small errands.
Tocumwal In Spring: Gliders, Chocolate And The Foreshore
Tocumwal is about 23 minutes from Ulupna and makes the best half-day town trip of the spring. Visit NSW describes 24 riverside beaches close to town, a 36-hole championship course at the Tocumwal Golf Club, and a foreshore park that is home to the Big Murray Cod.
The historic aerodrome is the other big drawcard. Visit NSW lists scenic glider flights through Sportavia and the Tocumwal Soaring Centre, along with the Tocumwal Aviation Museum. Flights depend on weather, so book ahead and have a backup plan.
For something indoors, the Tocumwal Chocolate School was listing a full-day hands-on workshop, The Art of Chocolate, led by chocolatier Wendy Alford, with sessions scheduled through to 30 October 2026 when we checked. Sessions are small and book out, so reserve before you travel.
Visit NSW also lists the Tocumwal Railway Heritage Museum and the Tocumwal Blowhole and the Rocks, an Aboriginal site to visit respectfully.
Strawberry Fields 2026: What It Means For Late November
Strawberry Fields, the music, art and wellness festival, is listed for Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026 at The Wildlands, Tocumwal, on the Murray. The ticketing page says each ticket includes general camping, music, art, workshops and markets, that music finishes at 7pm on the Sunday, and that everyone must leave by 12pm on Monday 23 November.
For most house guests it is a date to be aware of rather than attend: expect more traffic around Tocumwal on the Friday and Monday, busier shops and heavier demand for accommodation. For a quiet river weekend, the weekends either side are calmer.
Spring Weather, Fire Pits, Snakes And Mosquitoes
Spring in northern Victoria swings between early-summer days and nights that still need a fire. Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Cobram or Tocumwal each morning.
Outdoor fires need a quick check every time. Country Fire Authority rules apply on the Victorian side, and a declared Fire Danger Period or total fire ban changes what you can light and when. Check the CFA before lighting a fire pit, never leave it unattended and put it out completely with water.
Warmer days bring snakes out along riverbanks, long grass and woodpiles. Wear enclosed shoes, keep children away from logs, give any snake space and know basic snake-bite first aid.
After high water, mosquitoes are busy at dusk and dawn. Pack repellent, cover up in the evening and check the Victorian Department of Health for any current mosquito-borne disease advice.
Why Bob's River House Suits A Spring Trip On The Murray
Bob's River House puts a group right on the river for this kind of spring trip. The listing describes absolute Murray River frontage with direct river access, on approximately 6.5 hectares of established lawns and mature trees. Point Beach and Carters Beach, two of the Ulupna Island sites listed as open when we checked, are about five and six minutes away by car.
There is also a story behind the name. According to the listing, the owners' Great Uncle Bob once farmed this land and had a simple shack on the sand hill here in the 1950s, and the family bought the property in January 2026 to reconnect with that history.
The river-facing verandah has elevated water views and outdoor dining for 12, with a barbecue in the outdoor entertaining area. Down near the river there is a fire pit and a waterside picnic table seating up to eight. When the evening turns cool, the open-plan lounge has a wood fire, and the listing notes heating and air-conditioning or cooling throughout.
For quieter hours there is a 75-inch Smart TV in the main living area, a 50-inch TV in the unit, Prime Video, a book nook and a high-speed Wi-Fi plan.
Good to know before you arriveThe listing states that the outdoor areas are not fenced and that the jetty is not currently available for guest use. With the river running high in spring, plan active supervision for children near the water.
About this stay
Where Bob's River House fits a spring weekend on the Murray
Bob's River House sits on absolute Murray River frontage at Ulupna, about five minutes by car from Point Beach and six from Carters Beach on Ulupna Island. The river-facing verandah, BBQ, outdoor dining for 12 and fire pit by the water suit spring's long lunches and cool evenings.
A main house plus a separate unit sleeps 12, with a wood fire, heating and cooling throughout, two laundries and parking for up to 12 cars. That makes it an easy base for a school holiday week or the Melbourne Cup long weekend.
How A Group Of Twelve Uses The House Over A Long Weekend
The listing describes four bedrooms and three bathrooms across a main house and a separate unit, comfortably sleeping 12. The main house has two queen beds and two bunk beds, each with a double on the bottom and a single on top, with all main-house bedrooms together on one level. The separate unit adds a queen bed and a pull-out sofa bed for two, plus its own living and dining area.
That split suits multi-generational trips: grandparents or a couple take the unit, while families use the bunk room and queen rooms in the main house. Each building has its own laundry, handy for muddy shoes and damp towels.
The kitchen has an oven, cooktop, microwave, fridge, freezer and coffee machine, with indoor dining for eight in the main house and four in the unit. Linen, towels, basic toiletries and starter kitchen supplies are listed as included.
Bathrooms are one of the more memorable parts of the house. One main-house bathroom has a large shower and a traditional cast-iron bath, which is a good place to warm up after a cool morning on the river. Parking for up to 12 cars and self check-in make staggered Friday-night arrivals easy.
A Spring Long Weekend Itinerary From Ulupna
Day One: Settle In By The River
Shop in Cobram on the way in, then walk the lawns down to the river, light the barbecue and watch the birds at dusk before moving inside to the wood fire.
Day Two: Market Morning And Tocumwal
On Cup weekend, start at the Cobram market at 8am, then drive on to the Tocumwal Foreshore Market, the Big Murray Cod and lunch in town. On other weekends, swap in the Numurkah market on 17 October or a slow Tocumwal day.
Day Three: Ulupna Island
Check the Parks Victoria alerts first. If Point Beach or Carters Beach is still listed as open, pack a picnic, binoculars and walking shoes, then spend the morning among the red gums looking for koalas and waterbirds. Come back for a late lunch on the verandah and a lazy afternoon.
Day Four: Cup Day Or An Easy Departure
For Victorian guests on the Cup weekend, keep Tuesday simple: a slow breakfast, a last walk by the river, the race on the big screen and an easy drive home afterwards. Families might add The Big Strawberry on the way out.
What To Pack For Spring On The Murray
Pack layers: a warm jumper, a light rain jacket, hats and sunscreen. Enclosed shoes are essential for forest tracks and riverbanks, and water shoes help for paddling at the edge.
Bring binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens for koalas and birds, insect repellent and a small first-aid kit that includes a compression bandage. Add a picnic rug, camp chairs and a cool bag.
If you are bringing kayaks or small boats, pack properly fitted lifejackets for everyone and remember that Victorian rules require children under 12 to wear one on any vessel. Anglers should bring licences and the latest rules for both states, and leave the cod lures at home until December.
Before Leaving Home: Your Spring River Check
1Park alerts: Check the Parks Victoria Barmah National Park page for open and closed sites on Ulupna Island.
2River and weather: Look at current Murray River levels and the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for the days of your stay.
3Fire rules: Check the CFA for the Fire Danger Period and any total fire bans before lighting a fire pit.
4Markets and bookings: Confirm market dates, gliding flights and chocolate workshops in the week before you travel.
5Fishing: Remember the Murray cod closed season to 30 November and carry the right fishing licence.
6Group setup: Check the live listing for current bedding, inclusions, access and house rules before booking.
Is spring a good time to visit the Murray River near Cobram and Tocumwal?
Yes. October and November bring mild days, green forest, peak bird activity, school holidays and the Cup long weekend. The river is often high and cold, and in spring 2026 parts of Barmah National Park were closed by flooding, so check park alerts first.
Are the Ulupna Island beaches open in spring 2026?
When we checked Parks Victoria's alert in late September 2026, Point Beach, Carters Beach camping areas 1 to 3, Labbets, Doctors, Wide, Long, Brean's and Forest beaches and The Junction camping area were listed as open. Ulupna Beach and Little Ulupna Creek camping areas were affected by flooding. Check Parks Victoria on the day, as conditions change quickly.
Where can I see koalas near Cobram?
Ulupna Island, part of Barmah National Park near Strathmerton, is known for koalas that can be seen in the river red gums throughout the year. Move quietly and never feed wildlife.
Can I fish for Murray cod in October or November?
No. The Murray cod closed season runs from 1 September to 30 November, according to the Victorian Fisheries Authority and NSW fisheries, and the species reopens on 1 December. Check both states' rules and licence requirements before fishing.
Is it safe to swim in the Murray River in spring?
Take extra care. Spring water is cold, flows are often higher and faster, and snags hide below the surface. Life Saving Victoria advises entering slowly, never swimming alone, avoiding alcohol and wearing lifejackets on watercraft.
What markets are on over the 2026 Melbourne Cup weekend near Cobram?
On Saturday 31 October 2026, the Cobram Lions Log Cabin Market runs from 8am to 1pm at Federation Park, Punt Road, and the Tocumwal Foreshore Market runs from 8.30am to 1pm on the Tocumwal foreshore. Confirm closer to the date.
Are dogs allowed at Point Beach and Carters Beach?
Both beaches are inside Barmah National Park, where Parks Victoria says dogs, cats and other pets are not permitted. Assistance dogs are welcome. Check pet rules for any accommodation separately.
When is Strawberry Fields 2026 in Tocumwal?
The festival is listed for Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026 at The Wildlands, Tocumwal, with departures required by midday on Monday 23 November.
How far is Bob's River House from Cobram and Tocumwal?
The listing puts Strathmerton about 12 minutes away by car, Cobram about 19 minutes and Tocumwal about 23 minutes. Point Beach is about 5 minutes by car and Carters Beach about 6 minutes.
How many guests can Bob's River House sleep?
The listing describes four bedrooms and three bathrooms across a main house and a separate unit, comfortably sleeping 12 people. Check the live listing for the current bedding layout and inclusions.
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