Nestled on the banks of the Murray River at the heart of a fertile agricultural region, Swan Hill is a great destination for outdoor activities, good food and wine.
Swan Hill was named by European explorer Major Thomas Mitchell, who visited in 1836. Since then, fortunes have been made here; first by the early squatters and later by the farmers whose crops thrived thanks to irrigation from the river. Today you can explore original residences or Australia’s first open-air museum. The Pioneer Settlement Museum near the centre of town is famous as a recreated port town of the paddle steamer era.
Swan Hill is also the perfect place to experience some of the most unspoilt and rugged sections of the Murray River as it winds its way through a 10 kilometre section of state park land. Explore the river on the 105-year-old Paddle Steamer Pyap, or board the MV Kookaburra to cruise to the gracious Murray Downs Homestead. Alternatively you can take an overnight trip on a houseboat and explore the river at your own pace. Nearby Lake Boga is a delightful spot to enjoy a range of water sports from parasailing and waterskiing to sailing and swimming.
The Swan Hill region is also becoming known for its wines and fine quality produce so it’s definitely worth visiting some of the local cellar doors and farm gates to sample some of the distinctive flavours of the region.
Popular local events include The Big Note Festival in March, Italian Festa in July, and the Australian Inland Wine Show in October.
Swan Hill is 344 kilometres north-west of Melbourne or about 3.5 hours from Melbourne on the Murray Valley Highway.
