The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Gannawarra Shire Region
The Gannawarra Shire region is about three hours drive north of Melbourne and includes the towns of Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook (Barham is across the river in NSW), Leitchville, Murrabit and Quambatook.
The region borders the Murray River and has many other rivers and lakes such as Lake Charm and Kangaroo Lake. These provide opportunity for a nature escape and water based activities such as swimming, fishing (Murray Cod, Yellow Belly, Redfin, Carp and Bony Bream), water skiing, camping and kayaking. Kayak, canoe and SUP rentals are available to tour the extensive waterways around Cohuna.
The Middle Lake Ibis Rookery and Bird Hide at Reedy Lake near Kerang is home to thousands of water birds including ibis, coots, sea eagles, herons, kites and spoonbills and every spring thousands of ibis flock to the area to breed which is the largest rookery in the southern hemisphere.
Head to Koondrook to experience the magic of timber. Take a Arbuthnot Sawmill Tour and then follow the Redgum Statue River Walk which has statues that have been carved out of local red gum by world renowned chainsaw carvers.
A map of the region is:
The best playgrounds in this region are:
Atkinson Park Playground, Kerang
The playground has a number of nice elements including a flying fox with disk seat, huge diamond shaped rope climbing frame, birds nest swing, six swings, springers, stand-on spinner, sit-on carousel and two low wooden structures. One structure has ramps leading to an elevated platform with a wave slide, tic-tac-toe, climbing wall, shop front, maze panel and abacus. The other structure in a boat shape has a wide slide, steering wheel, chain ladder, steps and binoculars.
There is a huge shelter with tables and BBQ, water tap and toilets. Big grassy area near the playground.
Apex Park Playground, Cohuna
Outside the fenced area of the main playground area is a large grassy area next to water with swings and rocker with four horse seats. This area has sheltered BBQs, shelter with a table and unshaded tables. Next to the fenced playground is an outdoor gym.
The playground has a wooden structure with dual wave slides, spiral slide, wave slide, scrambling wall, ladders and shop front. This leads via a balance walkway to a lower level with tunnel, ladder with square rungs, walkway, little ladder, little slide, abacus, fireman's pole, hanging disks, ramps, climber bridge with circles, tic-tac-toe, hanging step traverse and monkey rungs. There is a separate toddler area with clock, steering wheel and abacus. Also a standalone flying fox, four swings and springer. Under shade sails is a sandy area. There are a few unshaded seats.
The best skate park in this region is:
Kerang Skatepark
There is a large, flat bowl which can be used by skaters of all levels and has an elevated wall in one section. This connects to a street type area with a great wall with multiple levels at the far end. In between there are ledges, rails, funbox, ramps and quarters. Located at Atkinson Park. There is shaded seating next to the Skate Park. Nearby there a large shelter with tables and BBQs plus water tap, unshaded tables and seats. Toilets are located at the nearby playground.
There is another skate park at Cohuna Skatepark (A concrete park which has a small open bowl, bank and trannied hips, ramps and block. There is a ledge and rail which descends down to a rollover.)
Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Gannawarra Shire council region are here:
Family activities in the Gannawarra Shire region include:
Cohuna
Kerang
Koondrook
Other Locations
Web Links
→ www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au
