Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Shepparton, Australia

This inland city located along the Goulburn River offers a plethora of delightful attributes, including fresh produce, vineyards, water bodies, and a temperate climate.

Shepparton’s rich agricultural heritage has been nurtured by an extensive irrigation network, with the broader Goulburn Valley region replete with vineyards and wineries ready to welcome visitors.

In Shepparton, one can explore exceptional museums dedicated to art and transport, along with a whimsical collection of full-sized painted cows that celebrate the city’s agricultural legacy.

Moreover, residents and visitors alike will find plenty of opportunities for exciting excursions, featuring open farms, Australia’s largest adventure playground, and a sprawling aquatic complex.

1. Victoria Park Lake

A notable highlight of Shepparton’s urban landscape is the expansive water body located on the eastern bank of the Goulburn River.

Initially, Victoria Park Lake was composed of wetlands and grazing lands. However, in the early 20th century, it was transformed into a public park dedicated to Queen Victoria.

The lake was modified for recreational use in the 1920s, and visitors can enjoy the invigorating air while strolling or cycling among the river red gums and observing the abundant birdlife, including pelicans and ducks.

Attractive shaded lawns are ideal for picnics, and if you stay late into the evening, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning sunset over the lake.

Every Saturday morning, the park hosts the Shepparton Park Run, and a variety of events are scheduled throughout the year.

2. Shepparton Art Museum (SAM)

Shepparton is home to one of Australia’s premier regional art museums.

Founded in 1936, the museum unveiled award-winning plans for a remarkable new, environmentally-conscious building in 2017. At the time of this article’s composition in April 2020, construction was anticipated to conclude by 2021. Despite interruptions due to the pandemic, SAM has remained accessible to the public, showcasing an extensive collection that has been curated over more than 80 years.

For half a century, the museum has specialized in local and international ceramics, spanning several centuries and featuring contemporary indigenous pottery.

In addition to highlights from this significant collection, there will be up to seven ongoing exhibitions during your visit, and SAM curates a dynamic schedule of programs and events.

3. Moooving Art Shepparton

The Greater Shepparton region is renowned for its dairy sector, which constitutes a significant portion of the local economy, with cows being an integral part of the rural scenery.

To commemorate this heritage and elevate the city’s profile, a collection of approximately 90 life-sized fiberglass cows, adorned with an array of unique and imaginative designs, has been established.

These bovine figures can be located throughout Greater Shepparton— at gardens, playgrounds, public areas, and local businesses, often in surprising locations.

Track the herd and any new additions through the tourist office’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

4. Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE)

This specialized museum features an extensive collection of vehicles sourced from the Goulburn Valley and various regions of Australia, along with international exhibits.

The collection, which comprises heritage automobiles, motorcycles, pedal cars, agricultural machinery, and bicycles, is diverse enough to necessitate a rotation every three months.

The museum regularly hosts themed displays focused on various topics, such as BMX bikes and muscle cars, all accompanied by an array of memorabilia.

Each exhibit is paired with engaging informative panels, while the car park outside frequently hosts markets and car parades throughout the year.

5. Goulburn Valley Wine Region

The wine region extending from Seymour in the south to Echuca, where the Goulburn River meets the Murray River, boasts a viticultural history dating back to 1860. Goulburn Valley has been recognized as an Australian Geographical Indication for more than two decades, benefitting from a warm climate, abundant river water, and sandy soils.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the signature varietal in this area, offering earthy and ripe flavor profiles with notes of chocolate.

Notable among the region’s vineyards is Tahbilk, which continues to produce wines from vines that were originally planted in the 1860s.

The “new cellar” at this winery was excavated in 1875. Nearby is Mitchelton Wines, a younger winery that has garnered acclaim for its Rhône varietals and Riesling.

6. Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton

A former landfill site in the southwest area of Shepparton is being transformed into a dynamic exhibition of the region’s native flora and the Goulburn Valley’s biodiversity.

This site features a growing collection of creatively designed gardens and habitats, including wetlands, native forest, turtle garden, waving garden, food garden, terrace garden, and residential garden.

Visitors can enjoy walking and cycling paths traversing the area, including along the banks of the Goulburn River, or ascend to Honeysuckle Rise for panoramic views from the observation platform.

7. KidsTown Adventure Playground

Shepparton proudly features the largest adventure playground in Australia, open 360 days a year and attracting over 150,000 visitors annually.

Fully enclosed and spread across more than two hectares, the playground has been thoughtfully designed to challenge, engage, and educate children of all ages and abilities.

Exciting attractions include enormous slides, tree houses, a functioning miniature train (operational on weekends and holidays), a flying fox, and an amphitheater that accommodates 230 people.

For adults seeking respite, numerous seating areas are conveniently located near the play equipment, and the Dig-In Café operates on Fridays, weekends, and during school holidays.

8. Shepparton Heritage Centre Museum

The Public Hall, constructed in 1873, is the oldest building in Shepparton and serves as the focal point of this museum dedicated to promoting and preserving the city’s history and that of the surrounding region.

Located within the Historic Precinct by the Goulburn River, the museum features the well-preserved riverboat wharf dating back to 1880 and a ferry crossing that originated in 1850. Inside, visitors can explore four galleries, a recreated colonial-era cottage constructed in 1995, and an archive storage area.

Among the numerous artifacts on display are a colonial four-poster bed, a timepiece from Shepparton’s 1882 post office, a wedding gown from 1860, and a chair intricately carved in the 16th century.

9. Shepparton Observation Tower

Standing prominently in the heart of Shepparton is a telecom tower featuring a height of 76.2 meters, which was erected between 1967 and 1968. This structure introduced microwave technology to the area while serving as a minor attraction in its own right.

A public viewing platform, accessible at a height of 35 meters, can be reached via 160 steps across eight flights.

From this vantage point, visitors enjoy a complete panorama of Shepparton’s central business district and the lush wooded banks of the Goulburn River to the west.

Your visit to the observation point will be quick yet memorable, although perhaps not as swift as the record time of 89 seconds achieved during the Zaidee’s Tower Run in 2015.

10. Lower Goulburn National Park

The lower reaches of the Goulburn River are safeguarded by this linear national park, which spans 9,310 hectares as it meanders toward its confluence with the Murray River near Echuca.

The park is a cherished destination for camping and fishing enthusiasts, as well as being abundant in various fish species such as brown trout, rainbow trout, European carp, and small redfin. The often steep banks of the Goulburn are adorned with riverine vegetation, providing a striking contrast to the agricultural land that borders this corridor.

The river red gum is the dominant species along the riverbank, and if you observe carefully, you may spot a koala nestled in the trees.

11. Aquamoves

Located just a short distance from Victoria Park Lake in the town center, Greater Shepparton’s premier recreational center is a year-round facility.

This all-weather venue features an excitably designed indoor pool complete with a rapid river, a Tarzan swing, and a slide.

For fitness enthusiasts, there is a 25-meter swimming pool, accompanied by spas, a sauna, and a hydrotherapy pool.

A spacious and modern gym is also available, offering approximately 80 classes every week, many of which take place outdoors in the shaded lawns.

During the hotter months, visitors can enjoy the 50-meter outdoor swimming pool nestled within the lush greenery.

12. Kaiela Arts

This art gallery located on High Street is dedicated to showcasing the Aboriginal art of the Kaiela Dungala (Goulburn – Murray) region. As a not-for-profit organization, Kaiela Arts provides a venue for exceptionally talented Aboriginal artists to share their narratives and reach an audience.

Approximately 80 artists have exhibited their works here, encompassing a diverse range of mediums from paintings to ceramics and screen-printed apparel and accessories.

The artistic style featured is the linear form traditionally associated with the area.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the gallery, engage in conversations, and discover captivating pieces, all while supporting the local Aboriginal community.

13. Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre

Upon arrival in Shepparton, the first stop should be this center located at 33-35 Nixon Street.

The visitor center serves as an invaluable resource for Shepparton and the surrounding area, offering brochures, maps, and knowledgeable staff to assist in navigating the local offerings.

Additionally, the center features a wide selection of products from the Goulburn Valley and beyond, including wines, jams, honey, relishes, vinegars, dried fruits, olive oils, nuts, and much more.

It is also an excellent location to purchase a souvenir, such as a painted cow from the Moooving Art exhibition.

14. Belstack Strawberry Farm

Located just off the Goulburn Valley Highway south of Shepparton, Belstack Strawberry Farm offers opportunities for farm stays, pick-your-own fruit, and various family activities.

Victoria enjoys an extended strawberry season that spans from October to May.

Entry to the farm is free, recyclable containers are provided, and pricing is by weight ($16). In addition to fruit picking, there are engaging activities such as a nine-hole mini-golf course and farm animals to interact with.

The optimal time to visit is in March, coinciding with lambing season.

Furthermore, the farm features a permaculture garden, hiking trails, picnic spots, and a shop offering fresh produce along with homemade jams, liqueurs, and sauces.

15. Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum

Situated slightly outside of Shepparton, this museum located in Tatura explores two captivating aspects of the town’s history.

During World War II, seven prisoner of war and internment camps were established in Tatura and its vicinity. Visitors can learn about these camps, as well as the town’s military garrison and hospital.

The museum houses compelling firsthand accounts, photographs, and preserved arts and crafts created by inmates.

Additionally, the museum narrates the story of one of the largest irrigation centers in Australia, with maps, books, archival photographs, and more illustrating how the region became cultivable through what was the state’s first irrigation scheme.