Hiking to the source of the Murray

Tom Groggin would be the closest 2WD access.
Do a search for Murray Source on this forum, there are a number of posts.
Here is one to start Source of the Murray

Have you checked out these places nearby? Normal Rd is Barry Way - 2WD if dry but very slippery when wet. Start of Ingegoodbee Track is the fun 4WD to get to a supposedly locked gate and then walk in the last 5 km.Check out the maps on this site. With a bike, depends on your fitness, there are many steep hills.https://www.exploroz.com/places/52242/vic+forest-hill
https://www.exploroz.com/places/78499/vic+forest-hill-cairn
https://www.exploroz.com/places/102383/vic+ingegoodbee-crossing

I'd call the ranger at Buchan to ask what the Coberars or Mc Farlaine tracks are like. They might be fine depending on what your car is. A trail bike is the best option from wherever is closest.

As above the Limestone Road ( came in from Omeo/Benambra) and then onto the Cowombat flat track with take you to Cowombat flat, a nice spot very close to the start of the Murray, and where the northern end of the Vic/NSW border line starts.

I did this track some yrs ago with my son on mountain bikes, and not electric ones either. It was a very very tough ride and I was reasonably fit. It is 14km one way, sounds easy but some of the hills are very steep. Even had to walk a few of them. It’s a great spot. Saw a few wild horses. Plus you can also see remains of an old plane that crashed there a long time back. You can read up about it. We did it as a day trip and had our lunch at the river. Regards Duncan

Oh woaaw interesting discussion about hiking.

Nathaniel the source of the Murray is very close to Cowombat Flat. It used to be accessible by 4wd but now only by foot (or bicycle?!).

On the Victorian side there are two tracks to get to it. The first is the Cowombat Track which comes off the Limestone Road. You can drive a very short distance down this track to a parking area then it is close to a 20 km hike, undulating but trending downhill. Cowombat Flat is one of the most beautiful places I have been and from there it is only a couple of ks to the 'source' of the Murray.

I have done it as a return trip in a day - which was forced upon me by an unexpected weather change. I cannot recommend it, the return leg is 20 km uphill, I was wrecked for days! Do it at least as an overnighter and take a tarp/hutchie with you in case of a storm. I would only do it in summer or early autumn. You certainly can get to the start of the track with a 2wd with decent clearance and quite possibly to the carpark too, but not certain of that.

The second walking track in is only 8km long but unfortunately comes off the Cobberas/Macfarlane tracks which I would describe as being reasonably difficult 4wd tracks with a number of hazards even for the experienced.

As to the longest branch I'd say it is the Darling-Condamine! But in the area you are talking about the Limestone Creek is longer from its junction than the Murray to its source. The Limestone Creek is crossed by the Limestone Road and you can certainly get there with a 2WD with decent clearance. If its wet all bets are off! Coming off the road is the Limestone Creek Track which leads to a camping area. Down to the camping area is easy 4WD but beyond are steep pinches as others have described. You could certainly hike from the track junction to the camping area and return in a few hours and have a nice lunch on the banks of the creek.

I can certainly recommend Cowombat Flat, just be prepared and be forewarned that it is a trek and not a day trip.