The Balranald region really has it all and locals need not stray too far to find something for the children to do or experience these summer school holidays.
Aside from the ample river frontage and the exquisite Yanga and Mungo National Parks right on the doorstep, the Balranald Discovery Centre offers some great options for parents with children to entertain.
The $1.5 million tourist complex comprises three buildings; the Interpretive Pavilion, the Visitor Information Centre and the Discovery Café.
The precinct boasts a well equipped playground, whilst the historical sites include the Museum, Old Gaol and Wintong School, and Balranald Skate Park.
Balranald swimming pool, located adjacent to the Greenham Park Sporting Facility is always a very popular spot during the hot summer months.
With extended open hours throughout the summer school holidays, the pool is a great spot for the kids to have some relief from the heat.
The complex consists of three pools; a babies and toddlers pool, a middle sized pool for confident swimmers aged from three years, and a larger pool for those older kids.
Balranald also boasts a well established outdoor tennis arena with four grassed and two hard courts. Annual competitions pause over the Christmas break but facilities are still free to use.
Take a short drive to neighbouring town Euston, home to the Euston Regional Park. Camping, fishing, walking and cycling trails, canoeing, bird watching in the bush are all activities sure to keep the kids amused this summer break.
Euston is also very popular with water sports enthusiast. There are ample spots along the Euston stretch of the Murray to swim, water skiing, canoe or kayak and fishing.
The recreation reserve, on Murray Terrace, is a great location for a picnic.
Hotspot for families
Lake Boga is a beloved family holiday spot, offering camping, fishing and all manners of water activities like skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing.
It is a perfect spot to take the kids during these summer school holidays, especially for the kids who feel quite at home on the water.
In an almost perfect circle, this freshwater lake is 10km south of Swan Hill. The namesake township is on the lake’s south-western side, with well grassed and serviced picnic areas, a railway station, holiday accommodation and a wonderful piece of heritage in the form of the Cannie Ridge Steam Pump operating from 1904 to 1952.
A simple stroll along the concrete and gravel track that encircles the lake will provide children with many opportunities to encounter the many ducks, pelicans and many other species of waterbirds.
For the older kids, the Catalina Flying Boat Museum is a wonderful place to visit and educate on some incredible local war history.
Lake Boga’s contribution to Australia’s military historybegan during World War II, after a flying boat base was established in response to the Japanese attacks on Darwin and Broome.
The attacks created a need for a base and repair depot for Catalina flying boats. The museum incorporates the base’s hidden communications bunker, and features a gleaming Catalina (A24-30) that was restored by the Lions Club of Lake Boga.
This is accompanied by footage, archive photographs, communications equipment, tools and the engines of several flying boats.
Place to relax
Tooleybuc is known for being a great spot to stop and enjoy a day on the mighty Murray River.
There’s usually no shortage of spots to cast a line and try and catch a fish or two. However due to current floods, the Murray isn’t entirely accessible, so keep up to date with current flood warnings and updates as to the status of the Murray River.
A great alternative for locals in search of an activity to do in Tooleybuc these summer holidays, look to Mensforth Park, a delightful park in the heart of the town.
It boasts beautifully maintained lawn, a recently constructed children’s playground includes the ever-popular flying fox, as well as some great amenities, including public toilets, an outdoor kitchen and undercover deck area at the adjacent Bridge Keepers Cottage.
Mensforth Park is a fantastic spot for a picnic and the perfect setting for families to enjoy a bite to eat after a fun filled day.
The Tooleybuc Sporting Club has a nine-hole twin tee golf course nestled along the banks of the Murray River. For the more advanced young golfers, there is the sprawling eighteen hole mini-golf complex. Lots of fun to be had either way! Other facilities available for families to enjoy include their all-weather tennis court, basketball half-court, and Tiff Dwarf grass bowling greens.
