Murray River - the Mighty Murray!
Nature & Parks
Swan Hill is an historic town. In 1853 Francis Cadell in his Paddle Steamer, Lady Augusta, navigated the Murray from its mouth in South Australia reaching Swan Hill, his farthest point upstream. The boat was welcomed by the whole of the town’s population – 12 people.
The town grew up around the punt crossing, as it was the only crossing of the Murray within 100km. Robert O’Hara Burke and William Wills crossed the Murray here in 1860. The punt operated until 1896 until it was superseded by a bridge.
Today the Swan Hill region is known as the ‘Heart of the Murray’. Situated in North West Victoria, it is nestled on one of our most beautiful natural assets, the Murray River. With plenty of sunshine, you can enjoy long, warm summer days and crisp, clear winters. You can fish from the Murray shores, sample the delicious local produce and even cruise the Murray on a paddle steamer.
