Murray River Nature Guide
Barmah National Park From Ulupna: Island Beaches, Walks And Cruises
Barmah National Park runs along the Murray River between Barmah and Strathmerton, and its eastern end reaches Ulupna, where it meets the river beaches of Ulupna Island. Expect sandy beaches, koalas in the river red gums and free campgrounds. About an hour west are the Dharnya Centre walks and a 90-minute Yorta Yorta-led river cruise. This guide covers what is open in late October 2026, the fire and dog rules, and a three-day plan.
Key Takeaway
Barmah National Park has two ends. The Ulupna end, a short drive from the house, is for beaches and koala spotting. The Barmah Lakes and Dharnya Centre end is a day trip for marked walks and the Kingfisher cruise. Dogs are banned in the national park but allowed on a leash at nearby Carters and Point beaches, and some tracks are still closed after spring flooding.
Before You Drive In
Three Ways To Use The Park
What Is Barmah National Park?
Barmah National Park follows the Murray River between the township of Barmah and Strathmerton, about 225 kilometres north of Melbourne. Parks Victoria says Barmah and the adjoining Murray Valley parks across the river in New South Wales together form the largest river red gum forest in the world.
The forest is part of the Barmah-Millewa wetland, listed under the Ramsar Convention, and more than 200 bird species have been recorded. The river red gums can reach 45 metres and live for more than 500 years, while grey, yellow and black box grow on the ridges.
This is Yorta Yorta Country. The Yorta Yorta People and Parks Victoria manage the park jointly under a Joint Management Plan, overseen by the Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner Land Management Board. Aboriginal oven (cooking) mounds can still be seen along the Lakes Loop and Broken Creek Loop.
The park has four management zones, each with its own camping and fire rules: Gulpa Gaka (Welcome), Walla (Wetland), Dhungalla (Murray River) and Biyala (Red Gum). Parks Victoria's free geo-referenced maps in the Avenza Maps app show which zone you are in. Download them before you lose signal.
Ulupna Island: Where Barmah National Park Meets Its Neighbours
Ulupna Island is the river country around Ulupna, at the eastern end of Barmah National Park. It is not all one park, and the difference matters for dogs and camping.
Map 3 in Parks Victoria's visitor guide shows Ulupna, Lawrences, Faraway (Peppertree) and Lagoon beaches inside the national park. Carters, Labbett, Point and Doctors beaches sit just east on other reserve land, marked as the proposed Murray River Park. Parks Victoria's site pages list Carters Beach Camping Area under Tocumwal Regional Park and Point Beach Camping Area under the River Murray Reserve. The map also shows the Crawford Boat Ramp and marks the Ulupna Island Homestead as private property, so keep to public tracks.
Moira Shire's nature brochure calls Carters Beach part of the Murray River Reserve, about 15 minutes' drive from Strathmerton, with a "huge sandy beach", a "scenic drive loop" and "a large population of koalas", plus shady trees and basic toilets. Parks Victoria lists long drop toilets at Ulupna Beach, and bans chainsaws on Ulupna Island.
Ulupna Island Beaches Compared
Times come from the Bob's River House listing; park, dog and facility details from Parks Victoria and Moira Shire. Thompson's Beach in Cobram suits groups who want more facilities.
| Beach | From Bob's River House | Park, dogs and facilities | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labbets (Labbett) Beach | About 5 minutes' walk, roughly 500 m | Proposed Murray River Park on Map 3; dogs-on-lead symbol | Sunset walks, a first look at the river |
| Point Beach | About 5 minutes by car, 35 minutes on foot | River Murray Reserve camping area; dogs on a leash | A quick swim or picnic |
| Carters Beach | About 6 minutes by car, 33 minutes on foot | Tocumwal Regional Park camping area; dogs on a leash; basic toilets | The big beach, the scenic loop and koalas |
| Ulupna Beach | About 13 minutes by car | Barmah National Park camping area; long drop toilets; no dogs | A longer beach day near a toilet |
| Thompson's Beach, Cobram | Cobram is about 20 minutes by car | Free electric BBQs, playground, cafe | Families who want facilities |
Parks Victoria warns that the river can hide fast currents, deep holes and underwater objects. Enter slowly, feet first, never dive or jump in, never swim alone or in floodwater, and actively supervise children. In October 2026 Parks Victoria said river levels were still high, so a beach that was shallow last summer may be much deeper now. For ramps and paddling, see WTP's Murray River fishing and boating guide from Ulupna.
Spotting Koalas And Kangaroos On Ulupna Island
The Barmah visitor guide says grey kangaroos, emus and koalas are common, that early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to see wildlife, and that you should look for koalas in the tall river red gums during the day. Visit Victoria says koalas and kangaroos on Ulupna Island "can be easily seen in their natural setting". Still, it is a wild forest, and no visit can promise a sighting.
Bring binoculars. A koala 20 metres up a red gum is a smudge to the naked eye but a clear sighting through even a cheap pair. As part of its H5 bird flu precautions, Parks Victoria also asks visitors not to touch or approach sick or dead birds or other wildlife. The parks remain open.
Birdwatching In Barmah National Park In Late Spring
Parks Victoria calls Barmah one of Victoria's largest waterbird breeding areas, with brolgas, night herons, spoonbills, white-bellied sea-eagles and azure kingfishers. The park page notes a healthy population of the endangered superb parrot.
The Dharnya Centre's bird list adds Australian pelicans, black swans, great egrets, royal spoonbills, crimson and eastern rosellas, sacred kingfishers and superb fairy-wrens. It also names rarer birds such as the Australasian bittern, regent honeyeater and freckled duck, which breeds after floods.
Barmah National Park Walks: Yamyabuc, Lakes Loop And Broken Creek
Barmah's marked walks start at the Dharnya Centre end, near Barmah township. Parks Victoria and the Dharnya Centre give different distances for the same trails, so plan around the longer figure.
| Walk | Parks Victoria | Dharnya Centre | Start and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamyabuc Discovery Trail | Grade 2, 1.5 km return, about 30 minutes | 1.2 km loop with 13 interpretive points | Dharnya car park. Self-guided, or guided on select days |
| Lakes Loop | Grade 2, 4 km return, about 1.75 hours | 5 km, the longest of the three | Dharnya car park, or join at Barmah Lakes campground, the day visitor area or Rices Bridge |
| Broken Creek Loop | Mentioned for its oven mounds; no distance given | 4 km, "a relaxing half-day option" | Starts behind the Dharnya Centre and follows Broken Creek |
The Lakes Loop passes mature and regrowth river red gums and several oven mounds, skirts Barmah Lake, and reaches the Murray River and Broken Creek. If you only do one walk, make it this one.
The visitor guide lists no marked walks at the Ulupna end. It says most of the forest can be reached on foot and recommends following the river or existing tracks so you don't get lost. Bikes are allowed on all open vehicle tracks and management-only tracks, but not on walking tracks, and helmets are compulsory.
The Dharnya Centre: Yorta Yorta Country At Barmah
The Dharnya Centre sits inside Barmah National Park near the river, and Visit Echuca Moama calls it the cultural heart of Yorta Yorta Country. The Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation announced that Dharnya Day, on Wednesday 8 July 2026, would include the official opening of "the revitalised multimillion-dollar Dharnya Centre precinct", with interactive touchscreen displays, refurbished bunkhouse accommodation for school groups, and outdoor yarning and fire pit spaces.
The centre says it is open year-round, with spring and autumn especially popular for mild weather and active wildlife. Its renewed 40-bed accommodation is for school groups, and its walking page says drinking water is available there. The website lists no public opening hours, so ring 03 4439 1120 before you set off, especially if you want a guided Yamyabuc walk with a Yorta Yorta Knowledge Holder. Those walks run on select days and are booked online.
Kingfisher Cruise Through The Barmah Choke
The Dharnya Centre runs the Kingfisher cruise with Yorta Yorta guides: 90 minutes, $65 per adult, $55 concession and $45 per child, booked online. The centre's address is Sand Ridge Track, Barmah National Park, and its cruise page names no separate departure point, so confirm where to meet the boat when you book.
Visit The Murray says the cruise travels through the Barmah Choke, the Murray's narrowest point, in a Ramsar-listed wetland, and that guests hear Yorta Yorta stories of Country. It mentions sea-eagles, pelicans and the threatened superb parrot, along with kangaroos and emus.
Extreme heat, high winds, unsafe river levels or heavy rain may cancel a cruise. Cancel with at least 48 hours' notice for a full refund. The Kingfisher is an older vessel and boarding may be difficult for people with limited mobility, so contact the centre before booking.
Barmah Lakes Day Visitor Area And Boating Rules
The Barmah Lakes Day Visitor Area is the usual picnic base at the western end, with toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables, a shelter and a nearby boat ramp. In October 2026, though, the day visitor area toilet and the south toilet at the Lakes campground were listed as closed.
Fishing in the Murray needs a NSW licence, while the park's other creeks and lakes need a Victorian one. NSW DPIRD closes the Murray cod season from 1 September to 30 November, so cod can be taken again from 1 December. WTP's Ulupna fishing guide has the details.
Camping In Barmah National Park: Free, Unbooked And Self-Sufficient
Parks Victoria's visitor guide says, "No fees or bookings apply." You may camp only in designated areas on the park maps and must be fully self-sufficient. Camping areas include Ulupna Beach and Wasers Beach on the Ulupna side, and Barmah Lakes in the west. Carters Beach and Point Beach camping areas are outside the national park, so check their own Parks Victoria pages.
The October 2026 flood notices also warned against camping on low-lying land near waterways, and said areas may close at short notice.
Campfires, The Fire Danger Period And Total Fire Bans
The visitor guide says solid fuel fires are banned during the declared Fire Danger Period, except in the constructed fireplaces provided, and banned completely on Total Fire Ban days. On 19 October 2026 the CFA's fire restriction dates page (last updated 6 October 2026) showed "No restrictions in force yet" for Moira Shire. That will change during the season, so check on the day.
When a fire is allowed, the guide's conditions are:
- Keep it inside a constructed fireplace or, where permitted, a self-dug pit at least 30 cm deep.
- No larger than 1 square metre, with logs under 1 metre long and 3 metres cleared all round.
- An awake adult must stay within 50 metres and in sight of the fire, and put it out with water, not soil, before leaving.
- Collect only fallen wood with no hollows, or bring your own firewood or a gas stove. Removing firewood from the park is prohibited.
On Total Fire Ban days, gas or electric stoves and barbecues may be used if the guide's conditions are met and at least 10 litres of water is ready. The park is in the Northern Country fire district and closes on Catastrophic days, and you shouldn't expect an official warning. For emergency information, use the VicEmergency app or hotline (1800 226 226), or ABC Shepparton on 97.7FM.
Barmah National Park Closures After The Spring High River
On 19 October 2026, Parks Victoria's Barmah page carried flood closure notices, with access maps dated 24 September and 12 October 2026, covering Barmah National Park, the proposed Murray River Park and Tocumwal Regional Park. Most tracks were open, but some areas could not be reached by car and a 4WD was recommended. These primary access tracks were listed as closed, along with some secondary tracks:
- Fourmile and Sapling Landing track
- Sandridge track, between Bunyip track and River Road
- River Road at the east end of Tongalong Island
- Gowers, Darlows and Eddies tracks
- Newmans Track/Thorps gate, closed by bridge damage (12 October notice)
Even in normal seasons, the guide recommends 4WDs with good clearance. Some tracks are dry-weather only, and gates may close during floods or environmental watering. Don't drive, ride or walk through floodwater. Check the park page on the morning you go, or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963.
Can You Take Dogs Into Barmah National Park?
No. The visitor guide says "Dogs and other pets are prohibited in Barmah National Park", and the Ulupna Beach, Wasers Beach and Barmah Lakes camping pages say "Dogs are not allowed". Assistance dogs are welcome, though entry requirements apply in national parks.
The beaches nearest the house are different. Parks Victoria's Carters Beach and Point Beach camping area pages say "Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash", and Map 3 shows the "Dogs on lead allowed (only in Murray River Park (proposed))" symbol at Labbett and Doctors beaches. Check the signs at each beach. The Bob's River House listing says pets are "ask before booking".
Late Spring Weather And Safety In Barmah National Park
The next eight weeks move from mild late spring into early summer. Bureau of Meteorology averages for Tocumwal Airport, the nearest long-record station, show the warm-up. The station closed in 2022, and its temperature averages cover 1970–2022.
| Month | Mean maximum | Mean minimum | Mean rainfall | Rain days (1 mm or more) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 22.8°C | 8.8°C | 42.4 mm | 4.8 |
| November | 26.9°C | 11.9°C | 34.9 mm | 4.0 |
| December | 29.7°C | 14.1°C | 34.1 mm | 3.1 |
Mobile reception is limited. In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
Why Bob's River House Suits A Barmah National Park Trip
Bob's River House is on about 6.5 hectares with direct Murray River frontage. Labbets Beach is roughly 500 metres away, and the listing puts Point and Carters beaches five and six minutes away by car.
The house also covers what the park lacks. The kitchen has an oven, cooktop, microwave, fridge, freezer and coffee machine, and there is a laundry with a dryer for sandy clothes. Split-system air conditioning in the main house and the separate unit helps on afternoons in the high 20s.
Outside are a river-facing verandah with elevated water views, a BBQ, a waterside picnic table for eight and a fire pit seating 14, with firewood included. The owners' Great Uncle Bob farmed this land and had a simple shack on the sand hill in the 1950s. Today the house is a short drive from the eastern end of Barmah National Park. Check dates on the Bob's River House listing.
Bob's River House: Beaches, Kitchen And Fire Pit After A Park Day
Bob's River House has direct Murray River frontage at Ulupna, with Labbets Beach about a five-minute walk away and Point and Carters beaches five to six minutes by car, so the early and late koala hours are easy to reach.
After a day in a park with no drinking water, there is a full kitchen, a laundry with a dryer and a river-facing verandah to come back to, and the fire pit seats 14 with firewood included.
Bob's River House
How A Group Of Fourteen Shares A Barmah Weekend
Bob's River House sleeps 14 across four bedrooms: a main house plus a separate unit with its own living area, dining table for four, ensuite and laundry. That makes it easy for a group to split up. The walkers and birdwatchers can head west for the Lakes Loop and the cruise, while everyone else has a slow Ulupna Island day, with a swim once someone has checked the conditions. Parking for up to 12 cars means nobody gets stuck waiting for a lift.
A Three-Day Barmah National Park Itinerary From Ulupna
This plan uses the listing's 3pm check-in and 10am check-out and suits any weekend from late October to mid-December.
Day 1, Afternoon: Arrive And Walk To The River
Check in from 3pm. In the last couple of hours of daylight, walk the roughly 500 metres to Labbets Beach, looking for koalas and grazing kangaroos on the way. Keep dinner simple on the BBQ, and finish at the fire pit if the CFA rating allows.
Day 2: The Barmah Lakes End Of The Park
Leave about 8am with water, lunch and a downloaded map. The Barmah end is about 60–70 km away depending on the route, so allow roughly an hour each way and check a map app on the day. Walk the Yamyabuc Trail (about 30 minutes), then the Lakes Loop (about 1.75 hours) before the heat builds. Picnic in the shade, away from big overhanging limbs.
Take the Kingfisher cruise at your booked time, allowing 90 minutes plus time to reach the meeting point. Head home in the late afternoon and drive carefully at dusk, when kangaroos are on the move.
Day 3, Morning: Ulupna Island At First Light
Get up early, drive the six minutes to Carters Beach and follow the island tracks slowly with binoculars ready. Be back by about 8:30am for breakfast on the verandah, then pack and check out by 10am. The listing puts Strathy Hot Bread Bakery in Strathmerton about 12 minutes away for the drive home.
What To Pack For Barmah National Park
The listing says linen, towels, basic toiletries and kitchen starter supplies are provided. Do your grocery shop in Cobram or Strathmerton on the way in.
Plan Your Barmah National Park Stay
For early koala walks, a Yorta Yorta-led river cruise and evenings by a Murray River fire pit, check dates on the Bob's River House page or compare homes at WTP Holiday Homes. For more local ideas, read more of our Ulupna holiday guides on WTP Holiday Homes, including the Ulupna history guide and the Murray River spring guide.
Sources And Dates Checked
The facts, rules, prices and figures in this guide were checked on 19 October 2026 against these sources. Conditions change, so confirm before you travel.
- Parks Victoria: Barmah National Park, including the closure notices and access maps dated 24 September and 12 October 2026
- Parks Victoria: Barmah National Park Visitor Guide (PDF)
- Parks Victoria: Ulupna Beach Camping Area, Barmah Lakes Camping Area, Carters Beach Camping Area and Point Beach Camping Area
- Dharnya Centre: Kingfisher cruise, walking trails, bird watching and plan your visit
- Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation: Dharnya Day 2026
- Visit The Murray: Kingfisher Cruises
- Visit Echuca Moama: Dharnya Centre
- Moira Shire: Sun Country on the Murray Nature Escape brochure (PDF, updated November 2023)
- Visit Victoria: The Murray wildlife
- CFA: Fire restriction dates (page last updated 6 October 2026)
- Bureau of Meteorology: Tocumwal Airport climate statistics
- NSW DPIRD: Murray cod and Murray crayfish seasons close 1 September (released 20 August 2025)
- Bob's River House listing, for property features, beach distances and check-in times (last updated 12 October 2026)
FAQs About Barmah National Park And An Ulupna Stay
Where is Barmah National Park?
Barmah National Park runs along the Murray River in northern Victoria, between the township of Barmah and Strathmerton, about 225 km north of Melbourne. The main entry points are Moira Lakes Road, Barmah-Picola Road and the Murray Valley Highway. The park's eastern end, around Ulupna Island, is the section closest to Ulupna and Strathmerton.
Is Ulupna Island part of Barmah National Park?
Partly. Parks Victoria's Map 3 shows Ulupna, Lawrences, Peppertree and Lagoon beaches inside Barmah National Park. Carters, Labbett and Point beaches sit just east on reserve land: Parks Victoria lists Carters Beach under Tocumwal Regional Park and Point Beach under the River Murray Reserve. The Ulupna Island Homestead is private property.
Are dogs allowed in Barmah National Park?
No. Parks Victoria says dogs and other pets are prohibited in Barmah National Park, though assistance dogs are welcome. Nearby, outside the national park, the Carters Beach and Point Beach camping areas allow dogs on a leash, and Map 3 shows dogs on lead at Labbett Beach. Check the signs at each beach.
Does it cost anything to camp in Barmah National Park?
Parks Victoria's visitor guide says no fees or bookings apply. You must camp only in designated areas on the park maps, stay at least 20 metres from the riverbank and be fully self-sufficient, because there is no drinking water and few facilities. Check the current notices, as some areas close during floods.
Where can I see koalas near Ulupna?
Ulupna Island is a well-known koala area. Moira Shire mentions a large koala population around Carters Beach, about six minutes' drive from Bob's River House. Search the river red gum forks in the early morning or late afternoon, bring binoculars, and never feed wildlife, which is an offence in the park.
What are the best walks in Barmah National Park?
The marked walks start at the Dharnya Centre. Parks Victoria lists the Yamyabuc Discovery Trail at 1.5 km (about 30 minutes) and the Lakes Loop at 4 km (about 1.75 hours). The Dharnya Centre gives 1.2 km and 5 km, plus a 4 km Broken Creek Loop. On Ulupna Island, follow the river or existing tracks.
How much is the Kingfisher cruise at Barmah?
The Dharnya Centre lists its 90-minute Kingfisher cruise at $65 per adult, $55 concession and $45 per child, booked online. Confirm the meeting point when you book. Extreme heat, high winds, unsafe river levels or heavy rain may cancel a cruise, and cancelling with at least 48 hours' notice gets a full refund.
Is the Dharnya Centre open to visitors?
The Dharnya Centre says it is open year-round. The Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation set the revitalised precinct's official opening for Dharnya Day, 8 July 2026. It runs guided walks on select days and the Kingfisher cruise, but its website lists no public opening hours, so call 03 4439 1120 before you drive out from Ulupna.
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Can you have a campfire in Barmah National Park?
Sometimes. During the declared Fire Danger Period, solid fuel fires are allowed only in the constructed fireplaces provided, and on Total Fire Ban days none are allowed. On 19 October 2026 the CFA listed no restrictions yet for Moira Shire. Check the CFA on the day, as this will change.
Are any Barmah tracks closed in October 2026?
Yes. Parks Victoria's flood notices, with maps dated 24 September and 12 October 2026, list Fourmile and Sapling Landing, part of Sandridge, River Road at Tongalong Island, Gowers, Darlows, Eddies and Newmans tracks as closed across Barmah and neighbouring parks. Some toilets at Barmah Lakes are also shut. Check the park page before every trip.
How far is Barmah township from Bob's River House?
The Barmah end of the park is roughly an hour's drive from Ulupna, about 60–70 km depending on the route, so treat it as a full day trip. Ulupna Island beaches are much closer: Labbets Beach is about a five-minute walk, and Point and Carters beaches are five to six minutes by car.
How long is the drive to Barmah National Park from Melbourne?
The Dharnya Centre says the park is about 2.5 hours from Melbourne via Shepparton and Barmah township, and Parks Victoria puts it about 225 km north of the city. The Ulupna end sits further east along the Murray Valley Highway near Strathmerton, so check your route and allow extra time if you are staying at Ulupna.
Where can a group of 14 stay near Barmah National Park?
Bob's River House at Ulupna sleeps 14 across four bedrooms, with a main house plus a separate unit that has its own living area and ensuite. It has direct Murray River frontage, a fire pit that seats 14 and a full kitchen, so a group can share the park walks, the Kingfisher cruise and the Ulupna beaches. Check dates on the Bob's River House page.
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