Swan Hill short break trip,
things to do — guide & itinerary

@yaseminhealthyfood

Let’s get into the frame of our weekend with a delicious brunch by Murray.

A cafe by the Murray River will set the tone for the weekend. Someone has prepared a delicious, decadent breakfast for you. Perhaps it is at Sands Riverside, take your time picking where to go for your breakfast.

You are toying between Autumn Bruschetta with pomodoro sauce, bacon & basil on toasted Turkish bread with poached, fried, scrambled or chilli scrambled eggs or you could choose the Deluxe Brekky Burger with bacon, spinach, fried eggs, tomato & pesto mayonnaise and then there are  the pancakes. Replete you now have the Saturday market to linger over. Make room for traditional sweets from the lolly shop. The confectionary shop is located at your next stop in the Pioneer Settlement, perhaps a snack for the backpack.

Facts

Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement @nancyjude382

One of Australia’s best ethnographic settlements recreating life in the nineteenth century.

Attractions at the Pioneer Recreated Settlement is home to buildings, machinery and other items relocated from these Mallee and riverfront townships, making the Settlement an authentic representation of the area during the early 20th Century. As you wander the Settlement, you will see buildings from Mallee settlements like Dumosa, Towaninnie, Waitchie and Culgoa. You will need to make sure you are on time for your river cruise as you will be absorbed in the sights and sounds of nineteenth century industry. Be sure to visit the Lolly Shop for a humbug or lemon sherbet.

Facts

PS Pyap @cmdroid

An iconic and must do cruise on one of Australia’s historic river networks.

Cruise the mighty Murray River aboard the PS Pyap. One hour cruises depart from the Pioneer Settlement wharf each day, taking you upriver past the Riverside Caravan Park, Murray Downs Marina and the historic Murray Downs Homestead.

Cruises are daily at 2.30pm. On weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays, an extra cruise also departs at 10.30am.

NOTES: Boarding of the Pyap is via a ramp and at times depending on river levels can become quite steep which some visitors may find it difficult to manage. The Pyap serves a range of snacks and beverages on board. 

Facts

Swan Hill Farmers Market @swanhillfarmersmarket

What’s Sunday without a wander around a local market.

Breakfast at the Sunday Farmers Market and the hunt to source a unique gift. The gift must do list is locally made  by an up and coming artisan or a homemaker channelling their creative touch. Anyway the goods will be distinctive, well made with the care of individual craftsmanship. Swan Hill has curated special items that call out to your shopping soul. Check out how you can squeeze fresh produce in your overnight backpack. Nothing like going home fully laden with fresh carrots, complete with a bit of earth attached. It’s all part of the holiday spirit after all.

The markets are located on the banks of the Murray River in the Riverside Park so it was not much exercise from the restaurant to the market. Have you managed to resist the egg and bacon filled brioche yet. The Swan Hill Farmers Market is the first Sunday of every month.

Facts

A chance to absorb Swan Hill’s village charm.

Riverside walking track, picnic by the river, check out a regional art gallery and wonder whether Burke and Wills actually planted the Moreton Bay fig tree. Then its onto the train back to the weekday world. Snacks and where to eat are marked on your map. Remember to download a version just in case Wifi decides to not make an appearance when needed.

Highlights:

• The gigantic Murray cod for a selfie couple moment
• Walk past the PIoneer Settlement for last minute stop at the lolly shop
• Swan Hill Regional Gallery browse and linger in the attached visitor centre for brochures about your next visit
• Moreton Bay fig tree which was supposed to be planted by Burke and Wills before their fateful journey into the outback
• Riverside walking track

Moreton Bay fig tree @christinascucina

Look out for the big thing, The Murray Cod sculpture as a marker and your selfie moment. The Riverside walk is a track through Australian history. The walk starts at the Riverside Park, the closest point to the centre of the town and concludes at the Milloo St Wetlands. This section of the riverwalk is a leisurely 30-35 minutes loop walk. The  Murray is not fenced and children should be supervised. There are interpretive signs for flora and fauna as well as insight into Aboriginal occupation and the steamboat era. There are several options for a coffee break along the track.

You can take a break on the river’s edge indulging in a couples moment while you share your time visiting the Murray.  If it is raining it will not be cold, rather chilly. Don’t forget to  look at the restoration work, by volunteers on the Gem riverboat before entering the Art Gallery Car park.  You can then pass by the Burke and Wills fig tree. The Railway Station is a guideline to your train back to Melbourne.

“The Nightingale and the Rose”, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery @swanhillartgal