Your essential road trip guide to Swan Hill

Nothing really says “holiday” like relaxing beside a glorious river. At Spoons Riverside Café, Swan Hill’s only river restaurant, you’ll get to do that while digging into a delightful breakfast and brunch menu. The team at Spoons make sure everything they offer is fresh, seasonal and regional, meaning you’ll score flavoursome ingredients all grown in the food bowl of the Mallee region. Look out for local meats like beef, duck and pork on the menu which is loaded with breakfast faves like brekky burgers, grilled chorizo omelettes and buttermilk pancakes. 

After dark, everyone heads to Peachy’s Bar. Burgers are the main draw, and with varieties like chicken katsu, brisket, mushroom and cod, there’s a lot to choose from. If you’re headed there on a weekend, take advantage of the weekend cocktail specials which include everything from Espresso Martinis to white wine Sangria. Cutting back on booze? Peachy’s also does some wicked sweet milkshakes – try the Key Lime Pie shake or the Oreo Shake if you’ve got a sweet tooth.

In the grand tradition of Sovereign Hill and other living museums, the Pioneer Settlement at Swan Hill is your entry point to discover a little more about the history of the Murray Mallee region. It’s located on the banks of the Little Murray River and it’s here you’ll find real-life Mallee cottages, schools, shops and a large collection of working tractors and machinery that would have been in operation during European settlement. There's also the PS Pyap, a one-hour cruise that takes you past some of the Murray's prime attractions. Stick around after dark for the award-winning laser light show, Heartbeat of the Murray. This panoramic live show uses water, lights, sounds and some special effects to tell the story of this important river artery. 

If you’re after something a little more active, the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club is a good option. Punters can try their hand at the par 72 golf course which has the beautiful Mallee plains as a backdrop. There’s also lawn bowls as well as a dining bistro and café to frequent when you’re feeling peckish. 

Swim, fish, waterski or SUP your way across the beautiful Lake Boga, a destination only 15 minutes away from Swan Hill. The lake is pretty popular in the warmer months (natch) but if it’s a little colder, there’s also bike trails to head out on where you can spy the local flora and fauna (including pelicans and ducks). On the shores of the lake is the Flying Boat Museum, which showcases Lake Boga’s role as a repair and service depot for flying boats during WWII. One of the display highlights is the restored Catalina PBY5, the type and size of aircraft that were used as patrol bombers during the war.

Sign up for a yoga or meditation class taught by Natalie from Swan Yoga Bliss. This experience takes place in a number of venues around Swan Hill – including beside the Murray River. Classes start at $18 and can be booked via the website.

Australia’s biggest outdoor gallery is found right here in Victoria and if you’ve got the time and inclination, it’s easily traversed either coming to or going from Swan Hill, Sea Lake or Mildura. The Silo Art Trail comprises 200km and at least ten monolithic artworks painted on the sides of silos stretching from Patchewollock (50 minutes drive from Sea Lake or an hour and 40 minutes from Mildura) to Rupanyup, near Horsham. The trail was started in 2016 and features works from well-known artists such as Rone and Adnate. Sea Lake itself is home to its own Silo artwork, an enchanting mural of a young Indigenous girl on a swing over Lake Tyrrell. This work was created by artists Drapl and Zookeeper, who are also responsible for smaller works around Sea Lake.

You’ve seen the photos and heard the whispers that northwestern Victoria is home to a magical pink lake. That lake of course is Lake Tyrrell, a 20,000-hectare salt lake about ten minutes drive from Sea Lake. When you stand in the middle of the lake (do not drive onto the lake, you will get bogged) it feels like you’ve been teleported to an alien world or an alternate dimension, with the flat, snow-like surface seemingly stretching to the sky. Given the lake’s apparent connection to the heavens, it's unsurprising that the Boorong people, the traditional owners of the Lake Tyrrell region, are regarded as having a huge wealth of astronomical knowledge. 

Located on the banks of the mighty Murray, Big4 Riverside Swan Hill is a great place to plant yourself if you’re in the region. Not only does the venue come equipped with cabins on the river’s edge, but there’s also a glamping tent to book out. It boasts a four-poster bed, indoor and outdoor dining, bathroom, kitchenette and barbecue. 

Everyone knows that secluded bushland is the perfect spot to stay – considering all your neighbours are furry animals and shooting stars. With Kiahpark Experience, you’ll be able to relax in a two-bedroom cottage complete with three beds, one bathroom, kitted-out kitchen and one heck of a backyard. As it’s a farm stay, you’ll be greeted by adorable animals regularly – plus, you’ll be not too far from the Murray River and all the attractions of Swan Hill.