We all know that we should be stopping every two hours on long drives to refresh ourselves and prevent driver fatigue causing a serious accident. Whether you only have 30 minutes or you’ve got a whole weekend to break up your journey, stop in at Shepparton and Goulburn Valley. Come into the Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre, a premium Pause Stop location where you can stretch your legs, grab a coffee, have a toilet stop and plan what else you can do in the region as well as where you can plan your next pause stop along your journey.
30 Minutes
Choose One Activity to Refresh Yourself Before You Hit the Road Again
If half an hour is all you can spare to give yourself a rest from the road, there are plenty of options you can do in or near the Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre. Get a coffee and a sweet treat from Elsewhere at SAM and take in the views of the Victoria Park Lake. Take in some art in one of the SAM galleries or Kaiela Arts or head to Level 4 of the SAM Building for a breathtaking view of the lake and surroundings. Plan your next Pause Stop with the Visitor Centre staff and volunteers. They love to hear about the trip you’re on and they might have some tips about where you should stop next on your journey. You’ve got just enough time to fit in one activity before you hit the road again, so make sure you take a longer break later in the day.
1 - 2 Hours
Explore the Park Lake Precinct
If you’ve got a bit more time up your sleeve, take an hour or two to explore the Park Lake Precinct. A walk around the lake is a bit less than two kilometers and will take you around 30 minutes depending on your speed. Take a copy of RiverConnect’s Bird Bingo with you and see how many species you can spot on your walk. If you have little ones with you there are three playgrounds situated around the lake, plus the skate park, to burn off some energy before you get back in the car for a long drive.
3 - 5 Hours
Take in Emerald Bank
Got a couple of hours to spare? Emerald Bank is the place for you. Walk around the vast collections at the Museum of Vehicle Evolution. Don’t worry, they don’t just have cars, trucks and motorbikes there, with the Loel Thomson Costume Collection, the Furphy Museum and more, there’s something for everyone. While you’re there, fuel up at Milestone Cafe with a coffee and some lunch before you get back on the road. If you have little ones, check out the Laugh-A-Lot Links Mini Golf course and have a hit of golf in the fresh air before you have to get back in the car. Don’t miss Barclays Antiques and Collectables if you like hunting for a gem. You might find a memorable and unique souvenir for your trip.
6 - 8 Hours
Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton
If you’ve got a bit more time up your sleeve take a walk from Victoria Park Lake approximately two kilometres to the Australian Botanic Gardens. Once you get there, enjoy the view from the top of Honeysuckle Rise, the 30-metre high lookout and marvel at this landfill area turned magnificent garden. Take a walk around the River Walk, Billabong Walk and Wetlands paths that border the native forest. If that’s all too much walking for one day, don’t worry, there’s picnic tables to rest at and plenty of parking available.
The Flats Walk
Take some time to learn about the culturally significant area, The Flats, located on the floodplain between Shepparton and Mooroopna. Walk the 4.3 kilometre history walk, starting and finishing at Chinamans Garden Reserve and read the interpretive signage as you go to learn about the history and why this land is so important to the indigenous people in the region, the Yorta Yorta Nation. Plan ahead and book a guided walk with a Yorta Yorta Elder by calling 5832 0222 or emailing reception@yynac.com.au.
Shepparton & Mooroopna Interactive Murals Map
There’s more art in Shepparton than what you can find in our spectacular museums. If the weather is on your side and you’re up for a walk (or a drive), load up the Interactive Street Art Map on your phone or tablet and take yourself on a tour of the street art in Shepparton and Mooroopna. See the five murals that were part of the Aboriginal Street Art Project across four locations, the murals that have been created for the Shepparton Festival and the many more artworks that have found their way onto Shepparton’s landscape over the years.
Stay Overnight
Dinner
If you’re staying the night, you’ll need to find somewhere for dinner. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Looking for a great country pub meal? Head to The Aussie or The GV Shepparton has a thriving cafe and restaurant scene, you’re bound to find something that suits your tastes and satisfies your cravings.
Further Reading: Read more about Shepparton and Goulburn Valley’s flavours of world and discover all of the multicultural cuisine available at your fingertips in the region.
Further Reading: Local inspiration, global flavours
Accommodation
If you need to rest your head for the night before continuing your journey, Shepparton and Goulburn Valley have a range of accommodation options to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a night at a caravan park, a stay in a budget motel, a luxury hotel or a boutique bed and breakfast, there’s something for everyone.
Spend the Whole Weekend
Stay the weekend or a couple of days if your itinerary allows, especially if you’ve had a long day of driving. Have a look at the events calendar to see if any upcoming events catch your eye. Maybe you can catch a musical or comedy performance at Riverlinks, a gallery walk though or artist talk at SAM, check out a local sporting match, or one of the free or low cost activities put on by Activities in the Park. You never know what will be on while you’re here.
Visit One of Our Small Towns
If you’re spending the weekend or a couple of days, take the time to head out to one of our small towns.
Mooroopna
Mooroopna is just four kilometers from Shepparton, across the Goulburn River. There you’ll find the main street bustling with shops, cafes and restaurants. If you’ve got little ones, KidsTown is the place to burn off some energy. Nature-lovers can’t leave Mooroopna without heading to Gemmill Swamp Wildlife Reserve to follow the walking track and see all of the birdlife that call Gemmill Swamp home.
Tatura
Tatura is a small town, around 20 minutes drive from Shepparton, with a lot of history. See the main street, lined with historical architecture from the Old Convent Buildings to the beautiful old Court House and Victory Hall. Have a walk around Lake Bartlett and see the birds that make Cussen Park their home and don’t forget to pop into Tatura Hot Bread for one of their award winning pies.
Dookie
Spend an afternoon or a whole weekend in the tiny town of Dookie. Nominated for a Town Tourism Town in 2024 and for good reason, there’s a hidden gem in every corner. Stretch your legs by walking or cycling the Dookie Rail Trail or hiking two kilometres up Mount Major for a view of the rolling hills. Visit the Gladstone Hotel for a pub meal or the Dookie General Store for their famous burger or taste a local drop of wine at Rye at Tallis. Don’t miss viewing the Dookie Nomadic Silos or having a wander through the eclectic Dookie Emporium Cafe & Antiques.
Further Reading: Discover Dookie: A Hidden Gem in Country Victoria
Murchison
Just a thirty minute drive from Shepparton is Murchison, where you’ll find beautiful river scenes, historic properties and more. Walk or cycle down the Murchison Rail Trail and discover eight kilometres of scenery. Built in 1880, the Railway Hotel is a must-visit for lunch or dinner, or if you’re in Murch on a weekend, head to Longleat Wines for a cellar door experience (bookings are essential).
Merrigum
If you’re looking for small town charm, take a drive out to Merrigum. Take the kids to Judd Park for a picnic and a play or have a meal at the Railway Hotel with the town’s locals. If you like fishing, don’t miss stopping at Dunyak Moria Catch and Release Fishing Lagoons, open Friday to Sunday (dawn to dusk) and every day during the school holidays.
Winter Activities
When the weather is cold and wet, it might not be so inviting to get out of your warm car and take a pause from the road, but there are plenty of winter activities that you can do in Shepparton and Goulburn Valley on a cold or rainy day.
Escape Smash and Play
Looking for somewhere that the whole family can unwind and have fun? Escape Smash and Play is the place for you. They have axe throwing, smash rooms, escape rooms and indoor mini golf, the perfect thing to release some tension before you have to get back in the car for a long drive. They’re open Thursdays and Fridays from noon and weekends from 10am.
Fun Planet
Fun Planet has got something for little kids and big kids (and by big kids we mean adults too). They’ve got laser tag, go karts, rock climbing, dodgem cars, arcade games, glow in the dark mini golf and more. There’s a cafe there too, for you to get a coffee and a bite to eat before you hit the road again. They’re open Wednesday to Sunday during the school term and everyday during the school holidays.
Gamer’s Resort
Got a gamer in the car? You can go through Shepparton without checking out Gamer’s Resort. They’re the ultimate space for PC gaming, VR consoles and trading card games. They host Trading Card Game Tournaments Tuesday to Sunday in the evenings and they open seven days a week.
Rebound Trampoline Park and Play Centre
If the kids are getting restless and you need a coffee, head to Rebound Trampoline Park and Play Centre. They’ve got a dedicated toddler play area, a multi-level play group, a tricycle track and indoor trampoline park to keep the kids engaged and a cafe for you to refuel yourself before you get back in the car and continue on your journey.
Star Bowl Tenpin Bowling
Not only is Star Bowl Tenpin Bowling a Shepparton classic, but it’s a great place for the whole family to take a break from the road on a cold or rainy day. They have a Chinese restaurant on site, so you could get lunch or dinner while you're at it, or take a short stroll down Fryers Street and take a look at the plethora of cafes and restaurants at your fingertips. Star Bowl is open seven days a week.
Aquamoves Indoor Swimming Pool
It might seem counterintuitive to go for a swim on a cold and rainy day, but Aquamoves’ heated indoor pool makes that possible. They’re open seven days a week and they have a rapid river, water slide and tarzan swing to keep the kids entertained for hours. With a cafe on site, you can get a coffee and bite to eat while you watch the kids splash around.
Social Volleyball
Give indoor volleyball a try at the Shepparton Sports Stadium. Suitable for ages 12 and up, join the Goulburn Valley Volleyball Club for social volleyball on a Friday (6.30pm to 8.30pm) or a Sunday (4.30pm to 6.30pm). $5 for casual entry.
History and Heritage Museums
Shepparton Heritage Centre
The Shepparton Heritage Centre is located in Forrester’s Hall, the oldest surviving building in Shepparton, on Welsford Street.They are open 10.30am to 4pm Tuesdays to Sundays or by appointment.
Historical Society of Mooroopna Museum
Located behind the old Mooroopna Hospital, the Historical Society of Mooroopna is home to the largest medical collection in country Victoria and preserves and displays items of importance in the history of Mooroopna. They are open on Wednesday 11am to 3pm or by appointment.
Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum
Head over to Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum to learn about the fascinating history of the seven internment and POW camps that were in the area during WWII. Open every day from 1pm to 3pm, it’s well worth carving out the afternoon to see this unique collection of stories and artifacts.
Murchison Heritage Centre
Murchison became famous in 1969 when an ancient meteorite, now known as the Murchison Meteorite, fell on the town. Remnants of the meteorite can be seen at the Murchison Heritage Centre, along with artifacts from the P.O.W Camps that were in the area during World War II and much more. Open on Saturdays from 10am to 12.30pm (closed during the winter months) and by appointment.
Merrigum Museum
Located in the old General Store built in 1905, the Merrigum Museum has household items from years gone by. They are open on the 2nd Sunday of each month or by appointment.
Village Cinema
There’s nothing better than getting a large bucket of popcorn on a cold winter day and heading to see a new movie at the cinema. Check out which blockbusters are hitting the big screen while you’re staying in Shepparton and Goulburn Valley.
Plan Your Next Pause
It’s a good idea to plan where your next Pause Stop will be if you’re on a long journey. Feel free to ask the staff and volunteers at the Visitor Centre where you could take your next Pause Stop on the way to your destination. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
- Melbourne is 2 - 3 hours south so plan a pause in Murchison, Nagambie, Seymour or Wallan.
- Swan Hill is around 2 hours and 40 minutes north west so plan a pause in Kyabram or Echuca.
- Falls Creek is about 3.5 hours east, so plan a pause in Dookie, Benalla, Wrangratta, Milawa or Bright.
- Hamilton is 4.5 hours south west, so plan a pause in Bendigo, Maryborough, Daylesford, Ballarat, Ararat or Halls Gap
- Ask the Visitor Centre staff and volunteers about where you could pause next on your way to your destination.
Signs of Driving Tired
If you start yawning and you have heavy eyes, that’s a sign that you are driving fatigued. Other signs include daydreaming or forgetting the last few kilometres, drifting from your lane, tailgating or hitting a shoulder rumble strip, difficulty maintaining a consistent or the correct speed, not realising traffic lights have changed to green and a slower reaction time when braking or stopping at intersections.If you start noticing any of these signs, it’s time to swap drivers, find somewhere for a Pause Stop, or find somewhere to stay for the night.
How to Avoid Driving Tired
Avoid driver fatigue by planning a pause from the road every two hours, even if it’s just a stop to refuel the car, swap drivers and take a toilet break and don’t travel for more than eight to ten hours in one day. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before and avoid driving late at night. Share the driving where possible and don’t drink alcohol before a trip. If you’re feeling drowsy, take a 15-minute powernap and grab a coffee to recharge.
For more information about how to avoid driving while fatigued, visit the TAC Pause Stop website.
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