Things to do with kids in Victoria's High Country

Bright is an easy base with kids. In summer, the river pool in the Ovens River has lifeguards and a splash park, with a big playground next door. The flat rail trail to Wandiligong is a good first bike ride, about five kilometres each way along the creek, with a playground at the other end. Older kids can climb to Huggins Lookout for a view over the valley.
Mount Buffalo is close by. Near the bottom of the mountain road, a short track leads to Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls; the rocks are very slippery, so stay on the path. At the top, the lookouts over the Gorge look straight down sheer granite cliffs.
In Harrietville, a flat loop around an old dredge hole suits prams. In Beechworth, the Burke Museum has a street of old shops to wander, and Woolshed Falls is a good picnic stop just out of town.
100 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Bright. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.

Top things to do in Vic High Country

Ovens River
Swim in the Ovens River at Bright
The Bright River Pool in Centenary Park is open all hours, with swimming at your own risk. It and the splash park officially open in the warmer months, when a lifeguard is on duty with the flags up. Howitt Park next door has a large playground, gas barbecues and toilets.
under 5 min
Swimming spot · Ovens River
Photo: Sgroey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Huggins Lookout
Climb to Huggins Lookout above Bright
This 1.6km return walk from Bakers Gully Road takes about an hour. After a steep climb, the lookout gives panoramic views over Bright and along the Ovens Valley towards Porepunkah.
under 5 min
Lookout · Huggins Lookout
Photo: Philip Mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
Ride the rail trail to Wandiligong
The Bright to Wandiligong section is an 11km return ride beside Morses Creek, suited to riders of all ages, including young kids. It starts at Railway Avenue in Bright, and bikes can be hired in town. Stop at the playground in Wandiligong's Alpine Park before riding back.
about 10 min
Walk · Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
Photo: Blackcatsx, CC0
The Gorge
Look into Mount Buffalo Gorge
From Bent's Lookout at the Gorge Day Visitor Area, you look over the sheer granite cliffs of Mount Buffalo Gorge. There are toilets and picnic facilities, and the old Mount Buffalo Chalet is nearby. Dogs aren't allowed, the rocks can be slippery, and snow chains are needed on signed days.
about 20 min
Lookout · The Gorge
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Eurobin Falls
Walk to Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls
The 1.5km track from the picnic area off Mount Buffalo Road reaches Ladies Bath Falls after 400 metres, then Lower Eurobin Falls. Allow about 45 minutes, as the track has some steep, rough sections. Parks Victoria warns the granite under the water is lethally slippery, so stay on the track.
about 15 min
Waterfall · Eurobin Falls
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tronoh Dredge Walking Track
Circle the old dredge hole at Harrietville
This flat 1.4km loop circles a lake dug by the Tronoh Dredge, once one of the world's largest electric dredges. It takes about 30 minutes, with no steps or steep sections, so it suits prams. Other signposted tracks continue along the Ovens River and past more dredge holes.
about 30 min
Walk · Tronoh Dredge Walking Track
Photo: Philip Mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Woolshed Falls
Picnic at Woolshed Falls near Beechworth
Woolshed Falls is a 10-minute drive north of Beechworth and a good picnic stop, especially after heavy rain. Parks Victoria warns of deep water, strong currents, slippery rocks and unstable cliffs, so keep kids back from the edge. A 6km track links the falls to Beechworth for keen walkers.
about 1 hr
Waterfall · Woolshed Falls
Photo: Mertie ., CC BY 2.0
Burke Museum, Beechworth
Walk a street of old shops at the Burke Museum
The Burke Museum in Beechworth has a recreated 19th-century street of shops, gold rush displays and a rare preserved thylacine. It opens daily from 10am to 4.30pm. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children was $21 in October 2026.
about 55 min
Local history · Burke Museum
Photo: Mattinbgn, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Ovens River
Ovens River
Huggins Lookout
Huggins Lookout
Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
Murray to Mountains Rail Trail

Everything on the map

Nearest first, from Bright

Animals

Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Bright Splash Park
Water park
Bright Splash Park
Bright
under 5 min
Photo: Sgroey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pool illustration
Pool
Bright Sports Centre
Bright
under 5 min
Ovens River
Swimming spot
Ovens River
Bright
under 5 min
Photo: Sgroey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Swimming spot illustration
Swimming spot
Riverside Park, Porepunkah
Ovens River swimming, a toddler pool and Mount Buffalo views.
about 10 min
Eurobin Falls
Waterfall
Eurobin Falls
Mount Buffalo National Park
Walk from the Eurobin Falls picnic area to the falls and Ladies Bath pool; best in spring and autumn flows.
about 15 min
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Catani
Swimming spot
Lake Catani
Mount Buffalo National Park
Alpine lake for swimming and canoeing in summer, with a lakeside walk through snow gums; campground closed until 30 Oct 2026.
about 20 min
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Over 30 minutes
from Bright
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Fainter Falls
1.5 km walk
Short and easy 1.5 km walk near Mount Beauty.
about 30 min
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Weston's Falls
about 40 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Eskdale Swimming Pool
Eskdale
about 45 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Lake Sambell
Easy stroll around the lake with a playground, on the edge of Beechworth.
about 55 min
Woolshed Falls
Waterfall
Woolshed Falls
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
10 min north of Beechworth: observation deck, picnic area and gold-rush walks; rocks slippery when wet, supervise children.
about 1 hr
Photo: Mertie ., CC BY 2.0
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Baranduda Range Waterfall
about 1 hr
Water park illustration
Water park
Splashpark
Wangaratta
about 1 hr 15
Pool illustration
Pool
Wangaratta Indoor Sports & Aquatic Centre
Wangaratta
about 1 hr 15
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Granya Falls
about 1 hr 30
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Wild Dog Creek Falls
about 1 hr 30
Over 1½ hours
from Bright
Pool illustration
Pool
Mansfield Outdoor Swimming Pool
Mansfield
about 1 hr 30
Pool illustration
Pool
Rutherglen War Memorial Swimming Pool
Rutherglen
about 1 hr 30
Lake illustration
Lake
Rutherglen Lake
about 1 hr 30
Pool illustration
Pool
Benalla Aquatic Centre
Benalla
about 1 hr 45
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Bluff Falls
about 1 hr 45
Pool illustration
Pool
Alexandra Outdoor Swimming Pool
Alexandra
about 2 hr 15
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Dhadhadhong Falls
about 2 hr 15
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Keppel Falls
about 2 hr 15
Waterfall illustration
Waterfall
Phantom Falls
about 2 hr 15
Pool illustration
Pool
Marysville Outdoor Swimming Pool
Marysville
about 2 hr 30
Steavenson Falls
Waterfall
Steavenson Falls
about 2 hr 30
Photo: Stephen Bain, CC BY-SA 4.0

Museums and history

Camping in High Country
Camping
Camping in the High Country
Campgrounds and holiday parks, with powered sites, showers and what's near each one.
See the campgrounds →
Photo: wanderingchina, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.