My Top 5 Under-the-Radar Adventures in the Goulburn Region, Victoria

After spending four very full days driving, hiking, paddling, swimming, and camping around the Goulburn region, Neisha shares her favourite adventures in this lesser-known region, tucked away just north of Melbourne.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place, who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

If you’ve already explored the Great Ocean Road and Grampians, it’s time to try somewhere different, somewhere closer, yet still worlds away. No selfie sticks or bumper-to-bumper traffic here. Victoria’s unknown Goulburn region is full of lesser-known adventures waiting to be found (and plenty of parking!). 

Find forest tracks for 4WDing, rolling hills, scenic mountains made for hiking, and bush trails perfect for wandering. You’ll find lakes and rivers for swimming, kayaking, or just unwinding by the water, and plenty of peaceful campsites for when you decide to stay longer.

On our four-day trip to the Goulburn region, my partner and I followed winding country roads, chased sunsets, and came home buzzing with new memories. Here are my five favourite things to do around the Goulburn region that you won’t want to miss.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

1. Sunrise at Murchison Gap

Location: Murchison Gap Lookout, Murchison Spur Road
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour 15 minutes

First up, if you’ve been on the hunt for Melbourne’s best sunrise spot, you can stop searching, because I’ve found it. Murchison Gap Lookout, just over an hour out from Melbourne, offers the most incredible valley and mountain views from the quiet viewing platform, a very easy lookout to reach. No hiking boots needed here, just drive straight to the top.

Also known as ‘The Valley of One Thousand Hills’, we watched the sun spill over the countryside and the landscape came to life!

It also makes for a beautiful picnic spot or coffee stop only an hour out of Melbourne. And if you’ve worked up a hunger from an early morning start, there are plenty of gorgeous cafes just a short drive away, usually full of local produce and hearty dishes!

2. Kayak Lake Nagambie and the Goulburn River

Location: 66 Loddings Lane, Nagambie, Victoria
Duration: Paddle at your leisure!
Cost: 1 hour – $80
2 hours – $140
3 hours – $180
Half day (4 hours) – $200

You know what I love about kayaking? You don’t have to be good at it to do it! We hired our single kayaks from Go Adventure Nagambie and set off down the Goulburn River. Once we got into the rhythm of paddling, it was such a peaceful and calm activity.

We were quite sheltered there as the Goulburn River runs between the Nagambie caravan park and large gum trees, so although it was windy, we were quite content. We took a few detours down reedy river paths and watched the birdlife getting on with their day. It’s also quiet and not overrun, just a really peaceful paddle with no crowds!

The pace is entirely yours – stop to take photos or just sit quietly and enjoy the bushland around you.

For anyone new to kayaking, this stretch of the Goulburn River is perfect. It’s gentle, scenic, and surprisingly calm. Whether you take a quick hour or a half-day paddle, it’s an experience that leaves you refreshed and ready to explore more of the region.

3. Hike (or Bike!) Scenic Mount Major

Location: Mount Major, Dookie Hills
Duration: 2 hours return | Just over 5km round trip
Distance: Around 5km return

I don’t know about you, but I love a hike with a bit of everything – views that keep changing, a steady climb that makes you feel like you’ve earned it, and a proper scenic reward at the top. Mount Major was exactly that. From the very start, we were surrounded by fields of bright yellow canola, wildflowers, and wide-open country views.

Farmland and canola fields at the bottom of Mount Major

It’s about an hour to the summit (a little longer if, like me, you stop for photos every few minutes) and another hour back down. The peak gave us full 360° views of the Goulburn Valley. Rolling paddocks, vineyards, and golden fields as far as we could see. I can imagine it’d be just as stunning in every season.

If hiking isn’t your thing, Mount Major is also a popular mountain biking spot, with trails ranging from easy scenic rides to more technical climbs. Whether you hike it or bike it, this mountain’s a win!

4. Take a Dip or Wander at Seven Creeks Nature Reserve

Location:
Gooram Falls: 1813-1839 Euroa-Mansfield Road, Gooram
Polly McQuinns: 355 Polly Mcquinns Road, Strathbogie

What’s better than a swimming hole? Two swimming holes, ten minutes apart, both underrated! Seven Creeks Nature Reserve near Euroa is home to Gooram Falls and Polly McQuinns, and if you’re visiting in summer without packing your swimmers, you’ve made a terrible mistake.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

Polly McQuinns is postcard-perfect without the postcard crowds. Picture clear deep water and large granite rocks. There are picnic tables and BBQs if you want to make a day of it, or just claim a rock and float around for a few hours. It’s a go-to for locals in the warmer months.

Polly McQuinns stunning from above

Gooram Falls is the slightly wilder sibling where you can bring along your four-legged friend as well. A short walk down got us to the lower falls, where we popped our feet in, and the upper falls were worth a look too, especially after rain when the water’s flowing.

The best part is, you can hit both in one day. Gooram Falls in the morning for a walk when it’s cooler, Polly McQuinns for a lazy afternoon swim and snacks. Pack the esky, bring a towel, and spend the afternoon in wild swimming heaven.

5. Pitch a Tent in the Goulburn Region

If you’re itching to get away from it all, the Goulburn region is the perfect spot to pitch a tent and disappear into nature for a night (or two). Rolling hills, rugged rock formations, and lush green countryside with only the sounds of cockatoos and cows to listen to and zero crowds or busy areas.

There are plenty of campsites and caravan parks all over, so whether you want a proper powered site or a quiet bush escape, you’re covered!

Camping our way through the region, we started each morning with coffee and a fire-cooked brekkie before setting off to explore. The landscape never stopped surprising us, from hidden waterfalls to nearby hiking trails and those wide-open country views through the car window.

We started our week in a tiny home on a hill in Tallarook, waking to sweeping farmland views and lush green paddocks.

Our next stop was just outside Euroa. This campsite made us feel like proper Explorers as we threw the car into low range, crawled up the hill, popped open the rooftop tent, and admired our home for the night. Just us in the middle of Central Victoria with an open fire and starry sky.

Open skies at our Euroa campsite

Nights three and four were spent in the Greater Shepparton area tucked under gum trees and wide open skies, and we wrapped things up with a night in Nulla Vale, only 15 minutes from Pyalong. Driving past green paddocks, grazing cattle, and scattered rock formations, the drive alone was worth the trip. All the campsites we stayed at were peaceful, well maintained, and not overpopulated.

Our bushy campsite in Greater Shepparton

The Goulburn region is delightfully under-the-radar. No queues for parking, no fighting for a good campsite, no need to book three months ahead of time. Just beautiful country landscapes, genuinely good adventures, and that rare feeling of stumbling onto something excellent without half of Melbourne already knowing about it.

Whether you’re chasing sunrises over rolling hills, paddling calm rivers, or cooling off at empty swimming holes, this region delivers the mix of adventure and peace that’s getting harder to find closer to the city. We loved every winding road and quiet corner and felt like we’d properly escaped without driving for hours. It’s easy to see why outdoor lovers are quietly adding the Goulburn region to their must visit lists.