Sometimes the best days are the simple ones – packing the car with towels, a picnic blanket and the kids, then heading somewhere with a bit of space to spread out. Apex Park in Cohuna is exactly that kind of place. Just a 20-minute drive from BIG4 Barham Holiday Park, it’s become a favourite with families staying at the park who want a morning or afternoon out exploring the local area.
Let’s start with what’ll grab the kids’ attention first – the playground. This isn’t your standard council swings-and-slide setup. The Cohuna All-Abilities Adventure Playground was designed so everyone can join in, with equipment that works for kids of different ages and abilities. There’s a water pump area that keeps little ones entertained for ages, a hamster wheel that bigger kids love, and plenty of climbing structures.
The playground sits right on the banks of Gunbower Creek, so parents can set up camp at one of the nearby picnic tables and keep an eye on things while the kids burn off energy. Shade shelters and modern BBQ facilities mean you can easily make a half-day of it.
Swan Hill is about an hour’s drive from the park and home to the PS Pyap at the Pioneer Settlement. This beauty was built at Mannum in South Australia back in 1896 and started life as a floating general store, travelling up to 500 kilometres a week selling everything from groceries to the latest fashions to settlers along the river. Today, she takes visitors on hour-long cruises past the historic Murray Downs Homestead. The captain’s commentary brings the riverboat history to life, explaining how this form of transport shaped early settlement along the Murray. Cruises depart daily at 2:30pm, with extra morning departures on weekends and school holidays.
Just past the playground you’ll find Cohuna Beach – a genuine sandy beach on the edge of Gunbower Creek. It’s a bit unexpected when you’re this far from the coast, but the sandy shoreline and calm waters make it perfect for young families. The kids can build sandcastles, paddle in the shallows, or just mess about the way kids do when they’re near water.
The creek itself is much calmer than the Murray, which makes it ideal for nervous swimmers or toddlers having their first go at the water. It’s also a top spot for launching kayaks or canoes – the shallow access makes it easy to push off, and from here you can paddle upstream to Cohuna Town Lagoon, a peaceful stretch of water that’s home to all sorts of birdlife.
If you’ve got teenagers who are less interested in playgrounds and more interested in anything with wheels, point them towards the Cohuna Skate Park. It sits right alongside Apex Park and gets a solid workout from local kids, so visiting skaters and scooter riders will find a decent facility to test their skills.
BIG4 Barham Holiday Park is perfectly positioned for exploring the local region, and Cohuna makes for an easy 20-minute drive. Head east along the Murray Valley Highway and you’re there. The combination of playground, beach, skate park and bushland makes it one of the best family-friendly outings in the area.
Pack some snags for the BBQ, throw the kayak on the roof rack, and make a day of it. The kids will sleep well that night.
Big4 Barham Holiday Park is located in the friendly riverside town of Barham , in the heart of New South Wales’ Riverina region.
Barham is a quiet, welcoming town — perfect for holidaymakers looking to unwind, slow down, and reconnect with nature.
With plenty of things to see and do nearby, including swimming, kayaking, cycling along the Murray River, exploring national parks, and sampling local wines and gourmet produce, Barham offers a relaxing yet enriching escape.
