Swimming Hole Heaven along the River Murray

Your guide to the best swimming holes

Here is my guide to swims at beaches and river pools along the most famous river in Australia, including what time of year to expect the best swimming conditions. Above: Discover swimming holes such as Finley Beach on swimmingholeheaven.com (Order this image)

The River Murray can be daunting for first time swimmers because of its size and power. Most of the swimming spots below are on some truly beautiful beaches, where sand from past upstream gold mining has accumulated along the inside bend of the river, plus some constructed river pools around Lake Mulwala. The river often runs bankfull or near bankfull from winter and spring (when it rains more) all the way through to summer (when irrigation deliveries are being made). The best time to swim in the River Murray is from mid summer through to mid autumn, roughly from February through to April, when the weather is warm, the river is not running as swiftly, and the water level has receded to reveal wide river beaches. Click or tap on the title or photo of each swimming spot below to find your next swimming adventure, or alternatively search by map. Swim safe, have fun and remember that no matter how cold the water is, it's alright once you're in!

River Murray at Apex Beach, Tocumwal

Probably the most popular beach near town on the Victorian side of the river due to its better road access and shaded campsites, a small inlet creates a shallow, protected area away from the main current that makes the River Murray more accessible here for inexperienced swimmers…

River Murray at Finley Beach, Tocumwal

I like the balance of this beach that offers the thrill of swimming with or against the current in deeper water, as well as relatively calm, shallow water at the edge of the river. This is coupled with a mix of sand and shade, with the option of just visiting or free camping overnight…

River Murray at Guilmartins Beach, Tocumwal

So much sand at what is definitely one of the biggest beaches along the River Murray. The swim has a sand flat that stretches well out into the water, with the usual swift currents further out that allow you to float or swim around 800 metres from one end of the beach to the other…

River Murray at Hennessy Beach, Tocumwal

A little harder to access, at the end of a short uneven track with deep wheel ruts, but there is space available for camping and a long, sandy beach with shallow entry to the water most of the time. The beach faces west if you want to catch the late afternoon sun…

River Murray at Moama Beach

This is the main swimming beach on the border between New South Wales and Victoria in Echuca-Moama, along the mighty River Murray. Watch out for the passing paddlesteamers and stay close to the shore in the strong current here…

River Murray at Mulwala Lake Pool

Similar in concept to sea baths but on a lake, the Mulwala Lake Pool lets you swim in the mighty River Murray without all the hassles of strong currents and submerged branches and stumps. It's fifty metres with a hand rail all around…

River Murray at Mulberry Beach, Tocumwal

Diagonally opposite the Tocumwal town foreshore, this smaller beach is also referred to on some maps as Pebbly Beach, because of the little square blocks of gravel that line the edge of the water. Otherwise it is fine sand on the beach and in the water…

River Murray at Thompsons Beach, Cobram

The best of both worlds, with a swim in the river alongside a large beach with shallow entry at most water levels, and a set a shady gum trees at the back of the beach, but with a cafe on site if you want to finish off your visit with some energy replenishment…

River Murray at Town Beach, Tocumwal

You could easily spend a week or two exploring the dozens of sandy beaches along this stretch of the River Murray - here are my experiences at one of the most popular for swimming, located less than a kilometre from the main street… Click or tap on the title or photo of each free public splash park if you want to have some family fun in the water, but the kids are not quite proficient enough to venture into the River Murray independently.

Tocumwal Splashpark

Just behind the levee bank on the Tocumwal Foreshore of the River Murray, this splash park draws its inspiration from the role of the Tocumwal Aerodrome, which was purpose-built as an air base during World War II. Expect plenty of water bombs from the plane overhead…

Yarrawonga Foreshore Splash Pad

Alongside Lake Mulwala on the River Murray, this free little splash pad has a vertical sprinkler ring and a range of gurglers and water jets. It's only small, but can form part of a day enjoying a picnic on the foreshore, a swim in the lakeside pool or a few runs down the giant waterslide…

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information.

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