Things to do in Albury Wodonga with kids

Ultimate guide to things to do in Albury Wodonga with kids

Located halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, the twin towns of Albury and Wodonga, separated by the Murray River and the NSW and Victorian state border, are an idyllic regional haven full of fun for families.

Surrounded by nature, outdoorsy families will find plenty to see and do. Enjoy a family picnic in the picturesque Albury Botanic Gardens, while little ones play safely in the fairy and dinosaur filled Children’s Garden. The massive Oddies Creek Adventure Playspace is another favourite with kids of all ages, packed as it is with modern, accessible play equipment.

Noreuil Park Foreshore, Albury. Credit: Destination NSW

A visit to the stunning Noreuil Park is a must. While you are there, take the stroller and wheelchair friendly Wagirra Trail by foot or bike. The trail is dotted with Indigenous art and leads to the stunning Wonga Wetlands where you can spot local birdlife. Or for a more heart pumping ride, take on Nail Can or Huon Hill on mountain bikes. Those who prefer their wheels lower to the ground can grab a board and head to one of the region’s four awesome skate parks.

For watery fun, head to the vast Lake Hume for waterskiing, wakeboarding and swimming. The lake is full of fish so if you are keen to catch and cook your own dinner, hire a boat for a spot of fishing. Or kayak, canoe or take a dip in the mighty Murray River, or get wonderfully wet at one of the region’s excellent outdoor pools and water parks.

Top things to do in Albury Wodonga

From the arts to the outdoors, there seems to be something for everyone in Albury and Wodonga. Here are ten of the best

Explore the contemporary art collection at Murray Arts Museum Albury (MAMA).
Enjoy art galleries, theatres, fortnightly farmers market and an Aboriginal cultural centre at Gateway Village.
Flying Fruit Fly Circus (if in town).
Learn about the environment in a safe and creative way at Albury Botanic Gardens children’s garden.
Follow the Yindyamarra Indigenous Sculpture Walk.
Hike one of the trails on the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Take a stroll along the Murray River Trail.
Visit Beechworth Honey’s Bee School.
Taste what is said to be Australia’s best pie at Parkers Pies.
Take a paddle steamers ride along the Murray River.

Things to do in Albury Wodonga with…

Murray Arts Museum Albury (MAMA) introduces kids to art in hands on Art Camps during the school holidays where they can get their hands dirty and express themselves through colour and creativity.

On warm days head to the Albury Swim Centre with its heated pools, a toddler pool with sails and a massive waterslide. In Wodonga, the WAVES aquatic facility features an outdoor heated pool, toddlers pool and a cool splash pad with interactive play facilities for kids.

Kids who love the great outdoors will enjoy spotting the sculptures along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk. Created by local Indigenous artists, the sculptures are scattered along a five kilometre trail between Kremur Street and Wonga Wetlands. The Wonga Wetlands is another great attraction with an incredible ecosystem of lagoons and billabongs covering 80 hectares of Murray River flood plain with plenty for the kids to explore.

Sovereign Hill is a must for families. The extensive village, complete with blacksmith, school, church, sawmill, gold mine, coach house and a street full of shops, recreates life during Victoria’s rough and ready Goldrush era. During the day explore the underground mine, enjoy re-enactments, watch folk musicians perform, take a horse-drawn coach tour, and get tips on panning for gold in the river. At night, the dramatic story of 1854’s Eureka Rebellion is retold with ‘Blood on the Southern Cross’, an acclaimed sound-and-light spectacular that is not too be missed.

If your little knights and damsels want to step further back in time, head to the awesome Kryal Castle, Australia’s only medieval adventure park where they can witness live jousting, jesters, jugglers and fire eaters. When you’re all historied out, enjoy a round of mini-golf and find your way through the twisted Tangles Maze and mystery trail at Creswick.

Head to stunning Lake Hume to swim, fish and hike. Or if you’re after more thrills you can waterski, kneeboard and wakeboard. Take a dip in the magical Murray River or at one of the many pools or water parks in Albury and Wadonga. The region also boasts some of the best freshwater fishing in the state with plenty of shaded fishing spots along the Murray and at Heywoods Bridge, a great place to catch Murray Cod, Yellowbelly and freshwater cray. Don’t forget you’ll need a NSW recreational fishing license.

When the weather isn’t so great, kids can head indoors for ten-pin bowling, mini golf, indoor trampolining or rock climbing. The Army Museum Bandiana is the largest Military Museum in Australia with guns, tanks, vehicles, motor cycles, uniforms, medals and more to see and explore. And at the Albury Library Museum, a permanent exhibition tells the city’s story from the first contact with its traditional owners to today.

There’s plenty to keep older kids busy in the twin cities of Albury-Wodonga. Surrounded by incredible natural attractions, you can cycle the dedicated bike track around Lake Hume and follow in the footsteps of infamous bushranger, Mad Dog Morgan in neighboring Henty and Culcairn. Kayak or canoe along the Murray, take a hike in the Wonga Wetlands or head to Noreuil Park to swim, kayak, paddle board or cycle along the riverbank.

Teens will love the four epic skate parks including the four-metre steel vert ramp in Albury, Wodonga’s urban plaza elements and the Baranduda Bowl’s grind rails. Or if the weather’s not so great, try donning high-tech gear to tag your opponents and targets at Zone Laser’s 500-metre-sqaure arena. Or enjoy the challenging fun of the Escape Room Albury, where your skills will be tested as you solve puzzles and mysteries to break out of the specially designed rooms.

Lake Hume Village. Credit: Destination NSW

Best time to visit Albury Wodonga as a family

Many return season upon season to discover the delights of this fresh country setting with its urban twist. January and February are the warmest months and, along with school holidays and Easter, the most popular times for family holidays. Autumn and spring are milder, but with the streets lined with an array of colours as blossoms bloom and leaves turn it’s an equally lovely time to visit.

During the winter season, from June-August, the tourist crowds lessen. The coolest weather comes during the month of July; but don’t discount visiting as the days are usually sunny with crisp blue skies. If you don’t mind bringing a jumper, winter offers a choice of excellent activities as well as tempting accommodation deals.

Prices generally go up in peak seasons, though it is usually not extreme and some accommodation venues will offer last minute deals.

Streetscapes, Albury. Credit: Destination NSW

Family-friendly places to eat in Albury Wodonga

For those travelling from Sydney to Melbourne (or in reverse), Albury is known as the half-way point for travellers so finding a quick, hearty meal is almost guaranteed. And you’ll be spoiled for choice at the many restaurants, cafes, pubs and bakeries offering delectable pastries.

From an ordinary Aussie pie prepared in extraordinary ways to an elegant dinner, you’ll find it all in the Albury Wodonga region. There’s also influences from many cultures such as Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, Mexican and Thai so you will be wanting a few more days to savour the tasty treats the area has to offer.

For those that like to catch their own dinner, head to Lake Hume, surrounded by picturesque hills and valleys where you might be lucky enough to be rewarded with catches of Murray cod, yellowbelly, redfin, carp and both brown and rainbow trout. Fishing licences can be purchased and are available online.

Wagirra Trail and Yindyamurra Sculpture Walk, West Albury. Credit: Destination NSW

Things to do for free in Albury Wodonga

The Albury Wadonga region is a great place to visit if you’re on a holiday budget with plenty of free and low-cost activities on offer for families.
Albury Botanic Gardens features a Children’s Garden with highlights including a huge dinosaur with speaking tubes, walking trails, a fairy temple and a troll cave.
Explore the Wagirra Trail featuring the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk by foot or bike (bikes are readily available for hire) to discover the Indigenous heritage of the mighty Murray River.
The Murray is renowned for its fishing and the Albury Wodonga region has some of the best fishing spots along this long river in New South Wales. One location perfect for the family is Heyward’s Bridge where you can catch Murray Cod, yellowbelly, and freshwater cray. For recreational fishing in the Murray River, a NSW recreational fishing licence is required.