Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Swan Hill, Australia

This visitor-centric city rests on the Murray River, the longest river in Australia and the third-longest navigable river worldwide.

Swan Hill’s charm lies in the historical richness and natural beauty of the Murray, complemented by a temperate climate and abundant sunshine.

Before the railway reached in 1890, Swan Hill was a busy river port, frequented by paddle steamers that began operating this stretch of the river in the 1850s.

The Pioneer Settlement is an exceptional open-air museum that revives the port days, offering paddle steamer cruises and a remarkable laser show in the evenings.

Swan Hill is also the namesake of a wine region renowned for its longer ripening season and premium Shiraz.

1. Pioneer Settlement

This outdoor attraction, situated along the scenic banks of the Marraboor River (Little Murray), encapsulates history in every aspect. Established in 1966, it was Australia’s first open-air museum and was visited by Queen Elizabeth in 1970. Housing over 20,000 artefacts, the Pioneer Settlement recreates life on the Murray between 1830 and 1930, featuring a cast of costumed characters and approximately 50 replica buildings.

Notable structures include a post office, an old-time photographic studio, a newspaper office, a Masonic lodge, and a genuine Kaiserpanorama (precursor to movies) dating back to 1896. The settlement also features two paddle steamers, the PS Gem from 1876 and the PS Pyap, offering scenic Murray River cruises.

Visitors can explore a Mallee street from the 1920s, enjoy complimentary horse and cart rides, don period costumes, and engage with informative locals.

2. Heartbeat of the Murray Laser Spectacular

As dusk descends, the riverside at the Pioneer Settlement transforms into a stage for a captivating 3D spectacle that combines lasers, light, sound, and water sprays.

This imaginative production utilizes a nine-metre water screen as a canvas to narrate the history of the Murray River over 30 million years.

The outdoor theatre features a natural Mallee backdrop and historical red river gums, enhancing the connection to the environment of the Murray.

The performance is seasonal, and reservations are highly recommended.

3. Swan Hill River Walk

Dedicating ample time to explore the Murray riverside in Swan Hill is essential on this expansive trail that spans several kilometres, commencing at Miloo Street in the northern part of the town.

The Pioneer Settlement is not the only significant manmade attraction, merging seamlessly with the natural allure of the Murray.

Points of interest hark back to Swan Hill’s days as a thriving port, such as the impressive Lift Bridge (1896). This pioneering structure was designed with a central span that could be elevated to accommodate the passage of paddle steamers.

Interpretive boards line the trail, revealing both human and natural history, including the Wati-Wati and Wemba-Wemba peoples who have inhabited this land for thousands of years.

4. Swan Hill Wine Region

The town serves as a cornerstone for its own wine region, with vineyards primarily established on the Victorian bank of the Murray, receiving direct irrigation from the river.

The area’s sandy and clay-rich soils evoke those found in renowned regions such as Burgundy and Champagne.

Warm climate varietals like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon flourish in the Swan Hill Wine Region. However, a notable distinction from the neighbouring Murray Darling region exists.

Swan Hill benefits from slightly more rainfall and cooler temperatures, allowing grapes to ripen at a more gradual pace.

The region’s inaugural winery, St Andrews, commenced operations in 1930, with new vineyards and cellar doors emerging each year.

5. Andrew Peace Wines

This reputable winery lies in proximity to Swan Hill, situated right on the Murray in Piangil, VIC.

Andrew Peace operates as a large-scale producer while maintaining a commitment to sustainability, generating 200kw through solar energy and recycling 100% of wastewater.

Since its establishment in the early 1980s, the winery has evolved into one of Australia’s leading family-owned wine companies, achieving sales of over a million cases and crushing more than 30,000 tonnes of grapes annually.

Andrew Peace Wines offers an expansive array, predominantly featuring Shiraz and Chardonnay.

For those interested in witnessing mass production, guided tours are available, or one can visit the cellar door for tastings and purchases.

6. Murray River Cruise (PS Pyap)

One quintessential experience in Swan Hill is to visit the wharf at the Pioneer Settlement for a leisurely journey along the river.

Your vessel for this excursion will be the historic PS Pyap, which launched in Mannum, South Australia in 1896. An interesting feature of this paddle steamer is its ability to navigate waters as shallow as one metre, thanks to its shallow draft hull, despite being 30 metres long and nearly five metres wide.

Initially serving as a floating general store, the PS Pyap now provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the riverbanks surrounding Swan Hill.

The hour-long cruise ventures upriver, past the opulent Murray Downs homestead, constructed over several decades from the 1860s to the 1890s.

7. Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery

Located by the Marraboor River and just a short walk from the Pioneer Settlement, the regional public art gallery opened in 1966 and moved to its current architect-designed space in 1987, created by Ian Douglas.

The Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery hosts approximately 20 exhibitions annually, alongside displays from its permanent collection.

Featuring painting, drawing, sculpture, prints, and works on paper, the collection emphasizes Australian Naïve art and encompasses works produced since 1970.

In addition to its exhibitions, the gallery offers guided tours, workshops, school holiday programs, artist talks, and live music performances, including concerts on the gallery’s own Steinway piano.

8. The Giant Murray Cod

For those intrigued by quirky attractions, a giant riverine monster resides near the Swan Hill Railway Station.

The Giant Murray Cod pays homage to the region’s famed predatory freshwater fish.

Despite its name, this fish is unrelated to the Northeastern cod species.

In addition to its spiritual significance for the Indigenous peoples of the Murray-Darling basin, the cod serves as an apex predator, known to consume smaller fish, snakes, and water dragons.

The sculpture in Swan Hill measures 11 metres in length and six metres in width and was initially created as a prop for the film Eight Ball (1992) before becoming a cherished symbol of the town.

9. Lake Boga

This nearly perfectly circular freshwater lake lies a mere ten kilometres south of Swan Hill.

Lake Boga is a popular family vacation destination, offering opportunities for camping, fishing, and a variety of water activities.

The adjacent township features picnic areas, a railway station, holiday accommodations, and a remarkable heritage site in the form of the Cannie Ridge Steam Pump, which operated from 1904 until 1952. A concrete and gravel path encircles the lake, providing encounters with ducks, pelicans, and a myriad of other waterbird species.

10. Flying Boat Museum

In 1942, the RAAF established a covert flying boat base along the western shore of Lake Boga.

This was in response to the Japanese bombardments of Darwin and Broome, prompting the need for a secure operating base and repair depot for Catalina flying boats beyond the reach of Japanese airstrikes.

The base was decommissioned in 1947, but its legacy persists through an exemplary museum.

The museum includes the base’s hidden communications bunker and showcases a restored Catalina (A24-30) donated by the Lions Club of Lake Boga.

Exhibits feature archival footage, historical photographs, communications equipment, tools, and engines from various flying boats.

11. Swan Hill Town Hall

Located in the central business district, the Town Hall stands as a majestic piece of heritage, featuring an Art Deco design complemented by Neoclassical pilasters and urns on its facade.

Inaugurated in 1936, the building commemorates the centenary of explorer Thomas Mitchell camping at the site of what would become Swan Hill.

Originally designed to accommodate the municipal chambers and an auditorium, the Town Hall now focuses solely on the performing arts.

A diverse program of live music, theatre, dance, cabaret, and comedy takes place here, alongside its use for conferences, community events, and exhibitions.

12. Nyah-Vinifera Park

Travel a few kilometres downstream to discover a vast expanse of untouched nature on the Victorian bank of the Murray River at Nyah-Vinifera Park.

This area features ancient river red gums that are over a century old, framing lagoons and billabongs along the riverbank.

Signs of historical habitation by the Aboriginal Wadi Wadi People exist, such as middens and burial sites.

The main pathway in the park branches off to side trails leading to secluded picnic areas, camping spots, or fishing locales where one can attempt to catch a Murray cod.

13. Showbiz Cinemas

Although Swan Hill is a small town with a population exceeding 10,000, there is an excellent cinema located on the perimeter of the central business district for evening entertainment.

This intimate venue opened in 2013, addressing a seven-year absence following the demolition of the previous cinema in the 2000s for the construction of a supermarket.

Equipped with fully digital technology, high-quality sound, and comfortable seating, Showbiz Cinemas presents a program that features the latest Hollywood films alongside curated art house and independent selections.

14. Murray Downs Golf & Country Club

Situated just minutes away on the New South Wales bank of the Murray, the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club is touted as the premier golf course along the river.

This 18-hole championship course has received accolades as Victoria’s PGA Course of the Year and is frequently recognized among the top resort golf destinations in the country.

The course features lush greens and fairways, intertwined with mature river red gums, contrasting beautifully against the surrounding Mallee plains habitats.

The fifth hole is particularly noteworthy, featuring a challenging shot over water to reach the green.

15. Swan Hill Region Information Centre

Given the multifaceted appeal of Swan Hill, encompassing history, nature, wine, sports, culture, and outdoor activities, it can be challenging to keep track of everything.

This makes the centrally located regional information centre highly valuable.

It provides insights into special offers at attractions and wineries, accommodations, and local attractions, while knowledgeable staff can assist with planning your next regional adventure.

The centre also features a gift shop filled with local products such as jams, preserves, sauces, wines, oils, liqueurs, and natural cosmetics.