A quiet Murray River town near the New South Wales border, Cobram is popular with families for its sandy river beaches and relaxed country atmosphere. Thompsons Beach, a stretch of white sand along the Murray, is the main attraction and one of the best inland beaches in Victoria — warm, shallow water surrounded by red gum forest, with barbecue facilities and plenty of shade. In summer, it feels more like a coastal holiday than a country town.
The surrounding Cobram-Barooga region is fruit-growing country, producing peaches, apricots, and tomatoes, and the roadside stalls selling seasonal produce are one of the pleasures of driving through. The twin town of Barooga sits just across the river in New South Wales and has a large sports club that serves as the social hub for both communities — reachable on foot across the heritage-listed Old Cobram-Barooga Bridge. Fishing for Murray cod and golden perch is a local passion, and the river between Cobram and Tocumwal is considered one of the better stretches.
Cobram is about three hours north of Melbourne and makes a good overnight stop on the drive between Melbourne and the Riverina. The best time to visit is between November and March, when the weather is hot enough to make the river swimming irresistible.