Koonoomoo: Koalas, the Murray River and The Big Strawberry

Koonoomoo brings together very different attractions: koalas on the Goulburn Valley Highway, nature and water activities at Ingenia Holidays Murray Bend, and The Big Strawberry with its café and museum. If you’re looking for a hotel in Koonoomoo, you can consider what you want your stay to focus on: wildlife, time on the Murray River, or a culinary and cultural visit.

Koalas and wildlife on the Goulburn Valley Highway

A Moira Shire Council report dated 18 March 2024 describes a section of the Goulburn Valley Highway in Koonoomoo as known for its large koala population. Koalas and other wildlife cross this area in search of food, water and habitat. The report also announced the completion of a project to install wildlife protection signs along this highway. Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue initiated the project and carried it out in partnership with Moira Shire Council and the Department of Transport and Planning. If the signage matters to you during your visit, check its current status in advance.

The Murray River and activities at Ingenia Holidays Murray Bend

Ingenia Holidays Murray Bend is set on more than 160 acres of bushland and is surrounded by more than 20,000 acres of state parkland. The first figure describes the property, while the second refers to the surrounding parkland. The property offers two kilometres of private beach access on the Murray River. Guests can launch their own boats from the private boat ramp and explore the river. Guests can also walk and cycle around the property. This means a water-based activity in your own boat and getting around on foot or by bicycle are different options for your stay. Which one matters most may influence your choice of this particular accommodation.

Café and museum at The Big Strawberry

The Big Strawberry is also part of Koonoomoo, with a licensed family café and the Man-Cave Museum. The café serves light meals and strawberry desserts, while the museum offers a different focus. This named attraction thus combines a specific food offering with a museum theme. If you’re planning around a culinary visit, the meals and strawberry desserts on offer are relevant; those interested in the museum will find another focus there.

Historic events in Koonoomoo

Historic events are also part of the town’s story. The Koonoomoo Pickers and Packers Charity Ball 2022 took place from 24 to 26 June and sold out, with up to 2,400 tickets sold in advance. More than 3,000 people from the region attended the 2023 Koonoomoo Pickers and Packers Ball, held from 23 to 25 June. The figures represent different measures: advance ticket sales are given for 2022, while the 2023 figure is the number of regional attendees. They therefore cannot be compared as direct attendance figures for the two events, but they do give an idea of the scale of those editions. If a ball is the reason for your trip, check the dates for your intended travel year in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Moira Shire.