Fast facts
- A popular holiday destination on the Murray River
- Sister city to Cobram, across the Victorian border
- 680 km south-west of Sydney, population 1,500
Why go there
Barooga offers large sandy beaches along the Murray River as well as prolific birdlife and redgum forests. Popular activities include bushwalking, camping, fishing, swimming and water-skiing.
History
The first sheep station in the area, established in 1847, was named Barooga. The original homestead still exists just outside town.
The township, however, was established from the subdivision of the nearby Boomanoomana property in the 1880s. Descendants of the original owner, William Hay, still live in the restored homestead.
Things to do
- Picnic or swim at one of the 103 sandy beaches along the Murray River between Yarrawonga and Barmah. The biggest and most accessible is Thompsons Beach at Cobram.
- Hunt for crayfish in the crayfish season, from June to August.
- Explore the town's lush botanic gardens.
Don’t miss
- A round of golf at the 36-hole Cobram-Barooga Golf Club.
- Bushwalking around Quinn Island, a waterbird wonderland.
- A river cruise from Thompsons Beach.
- Sampling award-winning wine at nearby cellar doors.
- The Big Murray Cod at nearby Tocumwal.
