Swan Hill

Overview

Swan Hill is a thriving, modern city. Swan Hill and its irrigated hinterland are home to 20,000 people combining the relaxed lifestyle and community spirit of traditional rural life, with the facilities and conveniences of a much larger urban centre.
 
The Swan Hill region is home to a different stretch of the Murray River compared to tat of neighbouring townships.  It is a very natural section lending itself to more native activities such as canoeing. 

Possible film locations around the region include Murray River, Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement; a recreation of a typical Mallee Township from 1830 to 1930; however could be used for an American Township, Lake Boga, and areas within the Swan Hill City limits for urban filming locations including industrial areas and stockyards.

History

For thousands of years Aboriginal nations lived in the Murray Valley, attracted by its abundant food sources and permanent water supply. In 1836 the first Europeans to visit the region were led by the explorer Major Thomas Mitchell, who was seeking new areas for settlement. He named Swan Hill after a sleepless night camped on a rise near a flock of noisy swans.

Following Major Mitchell's favourable reports, the first settlers soon arrived. They were pastoralists, establishing large sheep stations next to the lush Murray. Before long agricultural selectors followed and opened up the Mallee areas for grain production.

Within a few years, the region's produce was being sent not only to larger Australian cities, but to markets around the world. By the end of the nineteenth century intensive irrigation development and other new agricultural endeavours were underway.

Places of interest

Big Murray Cod
Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement
Swan Hill CBD streetscapes
Riverside parklands and Murray River
Murray Downs and Tyntynder Homesteads
Little Murray Weir
Lake Boga
Swan Hill Race Course
Nyah and Vinifera Forests including Takasuka bank

Accommodation

The Swan Hill region has a wide variety of accommodation options, including motels, resorts, holiday units, caravan parks, bed & breakfasts and houseboats.

For further information please contact the Swan Hill Region Information Centre Freecall 1800 625 373 or (03) 50323033.

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