The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Greater Shepparton City Region



The Greater Shepparton City region is about two hours drive north of Melbourne and includes the towns of Shepparton, Mooroopna, Dookie, Tatura and Murchison.

The Moooving Art Cows are an iconic part of the Greater Shepparton landscape. Scattered throughout the municipality Moooving Art is an ever-changing public art exhibition using a unique canvas - 3D life sized cows. You will find the cows in parks, gardens, businesses and public spaces, there are over 90 in the herd and you will also find them high up in the sky! Each one is an individual and distinctive in their persona.

Victoria Park Lake is a hub for activities in the town and is perfect for walking, cycling, picnics, fishing, bird watching and outdoor games. It is close to the Aquatic Centre, all-abilities playground, skate park and picnic facilities.

A map of the region is:

Map boundaries Greater Shepparton City

The best playgrounds in this area are:

KidsTown Adventure Playground, Mooroopna

KidsTown Adventure Playground, Mooroopna

The playground is Australia's biggest adventure playground and is open from dawn to dusk. Entry is by gold coin donation. The playground has a number of features including KidsTown Miniature Train (runs every weekend, public holidays and Victorian School holidays), flying fox, an area stacked full of monkey bars and monkey rungs all connected together, giant slides, tree houses, fruit bin and dairy mazes, area under shade sails with a large sandpit with three mechanical diggers and a wooden rowing boat, Junior area with wooden train and brightly painted cubby house, a fenced off Toddler area and a liberty swing.

Victoria Park Lake All Abilities Playground, Shepparton

Victoria Park Lake All Abilities Playground, Shepparton

A fully fenced All Abilities playground which is based around a big wooden multi-level structure with lots of nooks and crannies, a steep, fast metal slide, dual wave slides, cubbies, shop front, high ladder with horizontal circles for steps, tic-tac-toe, rope net, wooden in-built truck, abacus and steering wheel panel. On the top level there is a bow of a boat which overlooks the lake (with a telescope of course). At the base is a gravelly sandpit (think gravelly like Joe Cockers voice). This area has soft paths for access.

The remainder of the playground has some tiny slides for toddlers, standalone monkey bars and horizontal bar, some music panels, medium sized rope pyramid climbing frame, spinning donut, stand-on spinner, swing with plastic seat and four standard swings.

There are a number of shelters with a tables and BBQs, water taps, unshaded seats, toilets, a shelter over grass and some limited grassy area.

If you yearn for a some excitement, bring along a skateboard, scooter or BMX bike and shred the excellent Shepparton S-CAPE Skatepark

Shepparton S-CAPE Skatepark

There are other skateparks in the region at Mooroopna Skatepark, Tatura Skatepark and Merrigum Skatepark.

Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Greater Shepparton City council region are here:

Family activities in Greater Shepparton City region include:

If you are hungry then stop at the Chocolate Apple Factory in Shepparton East.

Shepparton and the surrounding districts have some wonderful bike rides and walks. Cycle or wander the Yahna Gurtji shared path network which winds along the Goulburn River and try one of the other Walks in the Greater Shepparton Area.

Shepparton has a fun ways of getting wet. The best way is to visit Shepparton Aquamoves which has indoor and outdoor pools, a rapid river, water slide and splash park for the kids. Aquamoves is located next to Victoria Lake where you can fish, boat or canoe.

It's hard not to trip over a multi-coloured cow when you are in the Shepparton region. These cows are part of the public art program Shepparton Moooving Art. If the thought of coming face to face with a blue and red cow udder doesn't phase you, then go to Monash Park and enjoy the herd, a grassy park and lovely pond with Chinese Garden and fountain.

Shepparton Moooving Art

For anyone with an interest in putters, drivers, bunkers and greens, the region has some lovely golf courses located along the Goulburn River. The Shepparton Golf Course is rated in the top ten golf courses in Regional Victoria and Mooroopna Golf Course has a reputation as the "friendly club". It's nice to have a friendly face after you're massacred your handicap.

Do you have a green thumb (or want to admire someone who does have a green thumb) then pay a visit to the Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton in Kialla which is evolving into a magnificent set of Gardens.

Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton

Shepparton also has some indoor activities to keep the kids entertained.

Oz Tenpin has 18 lanes with bumpers for all lanes. There's no longer any excuse for Dad not to get a good score.

For the culture vultures the free Shepparton Art Museum has permanent collections as well as exhibitions. If you would prefer an oily rag to a Monet oil painting, then head to the Shepparton Motor Museum which houses over 70 classic, vintage and veteran cars and motorbikes as well as associated motoring memorabilia.

Some other family activities in the region are:
  • Dookie Rail Trail (The 9.3 km rail trail offers scenic views of rolling hills, seasonal crops and wildlife)
  • Broken-Boosey State Park near Invergordon (Enjoy a scenic drive, bushwalking, have a picnic or a quiet fish)
  • Riverside Gardens Mini Golf at Kialla (A 18 hole mini-golf course set in over 2 hectares of gardens, lawns and picnic areas surrounding a tranquil lake)

    Riverside Gardens Mini Golf, Shepparton

  • Belstack Strawberry Farm at Kialla West (Pick-your-own strawberries)
  • Merrigum Museum at Merrigum (Houses items from local organisations, farming equipment and items of general interest)
  • Merrigum Outdoor Swimming Pool (A leisure pool, shaded toddlers pool and a splash park)
  • Gemmill Swamp Wildlife Reserve near Mooroopna (Facilities include picnic areas, viewing platform and walking tracks)
  • Mooroopna Historical Museum (Preserves and displays items of importance to the history of Mooroopna and District. There are significant medical, war, sports, aboriginal and other collections)
  • Mooroopna Outdoor Swimming Pool (A main 33 metre pool and a toddlers pool)
  • Mount Major Mountain Bike Park near Mount Major (A mixture of cross-country and downhill trails in an open landscape)
  • Murchison Heritage Centre at Murchison (Collection of documents and historical items)
  • Murchison Outdoor Swimming Pool (25m pool with water slide and a toddler's pool)

    Murchison Outdoor Swimming Pool

  • Murchison to Rushworth Rail Trail (8 km section of trail from the Murchison township)
  • Bangerang Cultural Centre in Shepparton (Aboriginal Cultural 'keeping place/museum' which houses an important collection of artefacts and artworks from Aboriginal communities)
  • Gallery Kaiela in Shepparton (Local Aboriginal artists exhibit and sell works from the gallery)
  • Communications Tower in Shepparton (An observation deck offers views over the city and surrounding countryside)
  • Greater Shepparton Visitor Information Centre (Provide information on the local region)
  • The Jodie Ridges Bike Trail (A 22km one way trail between Shepparton, Mooroopna and Tatura which passes through River Red Gum forest and productive farmland)
  • Victoria Park Lake (A 1.7km walk around the perimeter of the lake which passes a number of recreational and leisure facilities)
  • Shepparton Free Guided Walking Tours (Free one hour guided tour of Shepparton)
  • Shepparton Heritage Centre (Seeks to promote and preserve the past of the City of Shepparton and the surrounding region)
  • Shepparton Regional Park (The forests along the Goulburn River are popular for camping, fishing, canoeing, bushwalking and a variety of other recreational activities)
  • Cussen Park at Tatura (Park contains wetlands, bird hides, observation decks and well developed paths allowing people to closely observe many bird species. The park walk is a 30 minute, 2.4 km easy walk)

    Cussen Park, Tatura

  • Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum (A collection based on three main themes: the history of irrigation in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, the local and family history of Tatura and district since white settlement and the history of the seven World War 2 Prisoner of War and Internment Camps and the Garrison and Hospital which were established in this area)
  • Tatura Outdoor Swimming Pool (A 33m main pool and a toddlers pool)
  • Shepparton Tower (Free entry with a viewing platform at 35 metres high which offers 360 degree views over the city and surrounds)
  • Kaiela Arts (An Aboriginal art centre)
  • Shepparton Arts & Culture Touring Route (Extensive tour of street and public art)
  • Shepparton History & Heritage Touring Route (Explore Greater Shepparton's history and heritage attractions and places of interest)
  • Shepparton Natural Attractions Touring Route (Explore Greater Shepparton's natural attractions and places of interest)

    Aunty Geraldine Briggs & Aunty Elizabeth Morgan Mural

  • Fun Planet (Indoor amusements, including rock climbing, laser tag, mini golf, bungee run, balladium, virtual reality, simulators and a children's playground)

    Fun Planet

  • Mulana nin iyoga Walking Trail near Dookie ( A 4.6km return walk up the slopes to the peak of Mount Major)
  • Cycling in Greater Shepparton Guide (Guide to more than 20 cycling routes and all the information you need to know about cycling in the region)


    Web Links


    greatershepparton.com.au

    Greater Shepparton Official Visitor Guide (PDF)


    The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Greater Shepparton City Region, Shepparton, Victoria, 3630