Head west of Echuca Moama and you’ll find the Murray River slows into a maze of creeks and lagoons. They wind through Ramsar-listed wetlands and around Gunbower Island, a haven for paddlers, wildlife watchers and anyone who finds peace on the water.
The small town of Gunbower between Echuca Moama and Barham Koondrook makes the perfect base for exploring. Here, kayaking Gunbower Creek is one of the best ways to experience the Murray River region’s gentle side. Whether you’re exploring under your own steam or joining a guided paddle, this is the kind of place to slow down, drift with the current and see nature at its most peaceful.
Gunbower Island is a living wetland with a wild spirit
Gunbower Island and its waterways are a kayaker’s paradise in the Murray River region
Tucked between the Murray River and Gunbower Creek, this vast floodplain is part of Australia’s largest inland island and extends across more than 20,000 hectares of forest, creeks and lagoons. Gunbower Forest is an internationally recognised wetland under the Ramsar Convention, home to towering river red gums and a remarkable diversity of wildlife, from giant banjo frogs to the endangered intermediate egret.
Often described as the ‘Kakadu of the South’, Gunbower is a place where water shapes everything. Seasonal flows breathe life into the forest, supporting fish migration, bird breeding and the slow renewal of the land. The result is a landscape that feels alive; ancient yet constantly changing.
Wildlife is everywhere: platypuses and turtles in the creek, kangaroos and emus on the banks, and more than 66 species of birds in the canopy above. Seasonal flows from the Murray keep the wetlands thriving, supporting fish migration, breeding birds and a cycle of renewal that’s been turning for millennia.
This area is also a place of deep cultural significance for both the Barapa Barapa and the Yorta Yorta peoples. The forest holds many Aboriginal heritage sites that reflect an enduring connection to Country. Visitors are encouraged to move gently and respect these continuing cultural ties.
Kayaking the Murray River region
Paddling through calm waters on Gunbower Creek near Echuca Moama
The best way to get to know Gunbower is from the water. While the Murray River might be the most well-known waterway around here, Gunbower Creek is its quieter cousin and oh-so scenic.
Launch your kayak or canoe at Lions Park, right in town with all abilities access, or drive 30 minutes north towards Koondrook to explore the Gunbower Island Canoe Trail, a 5 kilometre loop clearly marked by yellow floating buoys. The easy two-hour paddle winds alongside towering gums and is often best at sunrise and sunset.
If you prefer company on the water, Murray River Adventures, run by Sydney Harbour Kayaks, offers seasonal guided paddles. For independent explorers, Barham Adventure Hire has kayak and SUP hire complete with portable roof racks so you can explore at your own pace.
Spring and autumn bring ideal paddling conditions, with mild days and prolific birdlife. Time your visit for the Massive Murray Paddle in November if you'd like to see the water alive with energy.
Small town, big character
A view over Gunbower township and the winding Gunbower Creek
After a morning on the water, take time to enjoy Gunbower’s easygoing charm. Stroll through Lions Park to see the mural celebrating local birdlife, then cross to admire Jimmy Dvate's striking art on the side of the Gunbower Hotel, a larger-than-life tribute to the nearby forest and creek.
Grab coffee or brunch at the Workshop Cafe and explore nearby galleries like Transformations Gallery and Gifts with a range of gifts and Kevin Williams Gallery showcasing Aboriginal art.
When it’s time for dinner, the Gunbower Hotel serves generous farm-to-plate meals featuring dry-aged steak from the publican’s own property. Pull up a stool, share a yarn with locals and toast to a day well spent.
Side trips worth the detour along the Murray
A family explores the interpretive centre displays at Torrumbarry Weir near Echuca Moama
Even after you’ve stowed the paddle, our region keeps offering reasons to stay a little longer.
For those who prefer four wheels, the Gunbower Island Forest Drive is a scenic half-day route starting from Cohuna, just 15 minutes from Gunbower. The drive winds beneath towering red gums and past old timber-milling sites. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and birdlife along the way.
Torrumbarry Weir is around 25 minutes east of Gunbower, and 45 minutes north west of Echuca Moama. Visit the interpretive centre, see the fish ladder that helps native species travel upstream and find a quiet bend to cast a line for Murray cod or golden perch.
One of Australia’s most culturally significant places, Ghow (Kow) Swamp is 10 minutes south of Leitchville and west from Gunbower. The Yorta Yorta people have cared for it for tens of thousands of years. It’s home to ancient scar trees, hearth sites and what’s believed to be the world’s largest grouping of late Pleistocene ancestral burials. Visitors are welcome for birdwatching, photography and picnics, just tread lightly and follow signage. As the sun sets, the wetlands glow gold and pink while waterbirds settle in for the night. It’s a spectacle worth planning dinner around because the locals say it's the best sunset spot in Victoria – and quite possibly Australia.
Where to stay in Gunbower
The beautifully restored Gunbower Butter Factory is one of many accommodation options in and around the town
Stay close to the water and let the sounds of the river set the pace. In Gunbower, you’ll find the beautifully restored Gunbower Butter Factory, which blends historic character with boutique touches. For something more secluded, there’s The Ridge Gunbower nearby or Wisps of Wool Retreat and Goolwa River Retreat closer to Torrumbarry.
Caravanners or campers can set up at the Gunbower Camping Reserve, a free riverside spot perfect for self contained visitors. Just 25 minutes east, Torrumbarry Weir Holiday Park offers cabins and powered sites right by the Murray. There are also a number of camping spots in Gunbower National Park and Gunbower State Forest including Masters Landing.
Alternatively, make Echuca Moama your base and take a short drive to explore Gunbower’s creeks and forest before returning to riverfront restaurants and historic paddlesteamers.
Plan your visit
Relaxing along the Gunbower Creek on a kayaking holiday
Pick up maps and local tips from visitor information centres in Echuca Moama or Cohuna, and check water conditions before launching as levels vary with irrigation season and environmental flows. Respect our natural environment by staying on marked trails, avoiding disturbing wildlife and carrying out what you bring in.
Where nature still calls the shots
Ghow (Kow) Swamp is a significant place for the Yorta Yorta people and the best sunset spot in Victoria
Here, nature still sets the pace. Whether you’re gliding through mirrored backwaters, watching pelicans soar above the forest or catching the last light over Ghow (Kow) Swamp, Gunbower reminds you that the Murray region’s magic lies in its quiet moments.