Welcome to the Swan Hill region, Victoria – Heart of the Murray River
Set on the banks of the Murray, Swan Hill boasts an enjoyable Mediterranean climate. Numerous attractions with ample quality accommodation make Swan Hill an excellent holiday destination, with a unique blend of history with a host of modern facilities. From the historic Pioneer Settlement, Regional Art Gallery, historic homesteads, numerous wineries to of course daily cruises on the PS Pyap.
Enjoy the magnificent wide open spaces and the tranquility of inland Australia while you visit an award-winning winery or a fine restaurant featuring fresh Murray Cod, yabbies, avocado, citrus, stone fruits or vine fruits.
Take in the beautiful surroundings at a golf course or explore nature’s remarkable features in one of many reserves and parks. Enjoy a river cruise or an historic paddleboat trip or discover the fantastic festivals and events, arts and many unique family attractions.
Pick up a copy of the Discovery Drive CD and listen to stories as you drive through the region. Find the Moreton Bay Fig tree in Curlewis Street that folklore alleges Robert O’Hara Burke and William Wills planted before they crossed the Murray here in 1860 at the beginning of their ill fated inland expedition. Visit during the Swan Hill Region Food and Wine Festival in March each year and take a regional food and wine journey to remember.
Take in the beautiful surroundings and natural features in one of many reserves and parks including a stroll around the well maintained Riverside Park next to the Murray. With public toilets, playground and BBQ facilities it’s a great place to relax with family and friends.
Swan Hill also offers excellent sporting facilities including the Murray Downs Golf Course. Nyah-Vinifera Parks are located to the North of Swan Hill. Tooleybuc further North on the Murray Valley Highway is a great place to stop at the local Tooleybuc Sporting Club and enjoy a short round of golf. Nyah, Boundary Bend, Robinvale, Euston and Balranald all provide excellent site seeing destinations for visitors.
Lake Boga 16 km to the south has the wonderful Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum to experience and learn about the region’s effort during World War II. It was Australia’s principal flying boat repair depot during the war and today a magnificent Catalina aircraft has been restored by members of the Lions Club and is housed at the museum.
Swan Hill History
Swan Hill is an historic town. In 1853 Francis Cadell in his Paddle Steamer Lady Augusta navigated the Murray from its mouth in South Australia reaching Swan Hill, his farthest point upstream. The boat was welcomed by the whole of the town’s population – 12 people. The town grew up around the punt crossing, as it was the only crossing of the Murray within 100 km. Robert O’Hara Burke and William Wills crossed the Murray here in 1860. The punt operated until 1896 until it was superseded by a bridge.
Pioneer Settlement
The Pioneer Settlement was established at Swan Hill in 1963 with the arrival of the Paddle Steamer Gem from Mildura. A recreated river town of the late 19th century, there are over 50 original and recreated buildings, including a non-denominational church, a working blacksmith’s shop and a working print shop. The buildings are filled with over 60,000 antique and historic objects to add life and realism and some are regularly activated by volunteers demonstrating old fashioned crafts. While the PS Gem, and the barge Vega, are static display vessels only, the PS Pyap runs Murray River cruises daily from the Horseshoe Bend wharf at the Pioneer Settlement. The Settlement also has Australia’s largest publicly accessible collection of pre-war steel wheel tractors, many of which are activated on a daily basis; and also the only Kaiser Stereoscopic Theatre operating on a daily basis anywhere in the world.
Swan Hill Today
Today, Swan Hill is a thriving, modern city. Swan Hill and its irrigated hinterland. An economic catchment stretching along the Murray Valley into the Mallee in Victoria and the Western Riverina in New South Wales, is also serviced by the city. Though still focused on primary production and supplying the needs of people and businesses in the area, Swan Hill has broadened its activities in commerce, manufacturing and tourism. The city today combines the relaxed lifestyle and community spirit of traditional rural life, with the facilities and conveniences of a much larger urban centre.
Swan Hill Accommodation
Enjoy hospitality and warmth while staying in comfort at your choice of accommodation. Make the most of the laid-back atmosphere country hospitability and spectacular scenery of the Swan Hill region. In the city of Swan Hill, many venues are within easy walking distance to the town centre, however for those keen to get away from it all, there are a number of accommodation venues located in more discrete locations.
Swan Hill Main Events and Festivals
- Swan Hill Region Food and Wine Festival – March
- Easter Tennis
- Swan Hill Races – June
- Italian Festa – July
- Tour of the Murray – September
- Swan Hill Agricultural Show – October
- Harness Pacing Cup – October
- Manangatang Races – October
- Murray River Marathon – November
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Swan Hill Region Information Centre Corner McCrae & Curlewis Streets |