3 kid-approved winter adventures for a family day out in Echuca Moama

The PS Pevensey on the Murray River at the Port of Echuca

Winter school holidays? Equal parts fun and chaos. But whether you’ve got a full day to fill or just a few hours between snacks, we’ve done the planning for you.

These three ready-made day-out ideas combine the best kids’ activities in Echuca Moama with clever add-ons, giving you more time for adventuring (and less time Googling 87 variations of "things to do for families").

Each one has a mix of indoor and outdoor fun, something for the grown-ups and a treat (because winter is tough and you deserve it). Here’s how to build your own Echuca Moama winter escape, one clever pairing at a time.

Wildlife + wow moments

You’ll find incredible silo art in Rochester the whole family will love

Made for animal lovers, mural hunters and snack-stop champions

• Start here: Kyabram Fauna Park

Home to more than 400 native Australian animals, you’ll find meerkats, kangaroos, dingoes, cassowaries, Tasmanian devils and koalas are just the start. The kids can wander with free-roaming emus and wallabies, explore the reptile house or meet stick insects and spiders in the invertebrate exhibition. It’s outdoorsy, but with enough pathways and sheltered spaces to make it a great winter pick.

Want to go all in? Book a special animal encounter. The koala experience is a crowd favourite, great for photos and you’ll learn a surprising amount about their weird little hands.

• Add this: Rochester Silo Art Trail and Sports Museum

Take the scenic route home because this colourful country town makes a great afternoon add-on. Wander the mural-filled laneways and check out the towering silo art featuring a platypus, honeyeater and squirrel glider. The Rochester Sports Museum is packed with quirky memorabilia, from Cliff Young’s tracksuit to Dennis Lillee’s controversial aluminium bat.

• Treat stop: Rochester Bakery

Grab one of their famous vanilla slices (they took third place in Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice Competition in 2022). It’s flaky, creamy and worth the sticky fingers.

Why you’ll love it: You get fresh air, native animals, art and snacks with a little drive, too. A whole day of variety, with something for every attention span.

Science + stories on the river

Kids love the interactive displays at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre

Made for curious kids, hands-on fun and history-loving grown-ups

• Start here: TwistED Science

A bright, all-weather indoor space in the Port precinct where kids are encouraged to experiment, explore and create. There’s an augmented reality climbing wall, flying machine station, bug tastings (yes, really), and enough gadgets to keep even the most easily distracted child happy for hours.

It’s also totally hands-on. No signs saying “don’t touch”, just open-ended, curiosity-driven fun. Bonus: you might even get five minutes to sit down.

• Add this: Port of Echuca Discovery Centre

Explore the stories, sights and sounds of Echuca’s riverboat past here. It’s history you can walk through, complete with the heritage-listed wharf, working steam engines and a restored 1900s sawmill. While the precinct is mostly open-air, there are plenty of undercover exhibits and hands-on activities.

During the July school holidays, don’t miss extra fun like Pirate Day, live blacksmith demos and evening kids’ adventure tours. And of course, paddlesteamer cruises depart daily. A must-do when you’re in town!

• Treat stop: The Port Ice Creamery

A local favourite with more than 40 flavours and a cosy indoor spot to escape the cold. Talk about a solid reward for a big day of exploring.

Why you’ll love it: It’s a choose-your-own adventure that’s part-educational, part-chaotic fun, with sugar at the end. Great for unpredictable weather days when you don’t want to be stuck indoors the whole time.

Playgrounds + pony rides

Pony rides are just one of the kids’ activities at Billabong Ranch

Made for big energy, mini adventurers and parents in need of five quiet minutes

• Start here: Billabong Ranch

This one’s a full-on activity hub just 10 minutes out of town. Choose from pony rides, indoor mini golf, bouldering walls, archery, pedal boats and even camel rides. There’s also a playground and an indoor animal nursery for the littlies. Want to go all in? Grab a family package deal and spend the whole day here.

Parents, there’s a licensed café on site. Sit back with a coffee (or a glass of something) while the kids run wild.

• Add this: Moama Adventure Playpark or Echuca East Reserve 

Both offer big play spaces, shaded areas, BBQs and plenty of room to burn off extra energy. Moama Adventure Playpark is a standout for all-abilities access and imaginative design.

• Treat stop: Frinkle

Located inside Moama Bowling Club, this build-your-own dessert bar is an all-ages winner. Kids can go wild with toppings while you enjoy a grown-up moment. Besides, what’s a holiday without ice cream?

Why it works: Kids are moving, learning, climbing and laughing. You get to relax. Everyone goes to bed early. Win-win.

Plan your family’s winter escape

A family roasting marshmallows on a campfire by the Murray River near Echuca Moama

Whether you're here for a weekend or a week, Echuca Moama has winter sorted. These clever pairings make holiday planning simple and keep the whole crew happy (you’re welcome). And you’ll find even more family-friendly options to mix, match, and make your own.

P.S. Line up your visit with a local event and make it a winter to remember.