The journey from Melbourne to Swan Hill by train is a convenient and comfortable way to see the beautiful scenery. This trip takes 4-5 hours depending on the specific service you choose and unexpected delays. But, this is an environmentally-friendly way to travel and take a look at the charm of regional Victoria. This region is an excellent place to enjoy a short weekend break or an even longer rural-based vacation.
How To Plan For The Train Trip
Booking tickets is simple, visit the V/Line website or call 1800 800 007 to order your V/Line train tickets for your trip. We recommend advance booking to ensure that you’re not disappointed during peak seasons.
To get the most out of a weekend, it’s a great idea to take the Friday night train and then return on Sunday. The Sunday train leaves Swan Hill at 16:35pm and arrives in Southern Cross after 9pm. Those that join the train at a roadside coach stop or unstaffed V/Line station can buy tickets from the train conductor.
Make sure that you wear comfortable clothes for the journey and take all essential items with you, such as a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, and smartphones. These items should be kept close by in a handy backpack, tote, or other small traveling bag. Large bags and cases can go into the storage area in car A.
The Southern Cross Station Melbourne
This train journey departs from the Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. This is a major transport hub and it tends to be busier at peak travel times. The station itself is a fascinating modern building to visit with plenty of natural light and a wave-shaped roof. The station feels open and spacious with plenty of space for passengers to move around.
There are a number of food outlets for those that want some dinner before departure. These include fast food outlets, cafes and some excellent restaurants. If you want to buy a book, magazine or some essential items, there are newsagents, retail shops and convenience stores.
The restrooms are clean and well-maintained and the waiting areas are comfortable with plenty of seating. The train schedules are regularly updated on digital display boards showing all arrivals and departures. There are information desks and access is easy with elevators, ramps and dedicated areas for disabled people.
Enjoy The Melbourne To Swan Hill By Train Journey
As the train departs it travels through the suburban areas of Melbourne and then out into the rural Victoria landscape. The train winds in a northwest direction with views of small towns, open plains and farmland. There are entire fields of crops, some livestock and rolling hills. During the Winter months most of your trip will be in darkness. So, it is a good idea to take something to do along the way, such as a book to read, or a game.
Inside the V/Line trains, the seats are comfortable, and passengers will appreciate the ample legroom. The Melbourne to Swan Hill service offers a buffet in the B carriage for drinks or snacks. There are power outlets on all services for charging your mobile devices.
A major stop along this route is Bendigo, which is a historic city with strong links to its gold rush history. For some people, this may be added to their bucket list of places they want to visit in the future. Some of the best small towns along the route, include Pyramid Hill and Kerang which showcase the simplicity and rural charm in this part of Victoria. Between views passengers can entertain themselves with reading or playing games, but in certain areas there will be no mobile phone service.
Arriving At Swan Hill Train Station
Passengers will arrive at Swan Hill Train Station around 11pm, it is a small and functional rural transport hub with a single platform for V/Line trains. The train station is located near the centre of Swan Hill which provides easy access to accommodation and attractions. There are taxi’s waiting that can take you to where you will be staying for the next two nights.
Attractions Close To The Main Street Of Swan Hill
Attractions in walking distance from the shopping centre include the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, the Pioneer Settlement and the Murray River. There are cafes, shops and restaurants. The Riverside Caravan Park by the Murray River offers a range of comfortable accommodations or there are motels nearer to the town centre.
The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement
One of the standout attractions is the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement which is an authentic village that showcases pioneer life and the history of the area. The settlement was established in the early 1960s as part of a larger project to represent the heritage of pioneers in Swan Hill and the surrounding areas.
Over the years, the settlement has been expanded and developed with more buildings and exhibits to explore. The buildings are authentically restored and they include: shops, schools, homes and other structures. The result is an immerse pioneer experience that offers a glimpse of life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in this part of rural Australia.
Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery
This is a wonderful public art gallery located only a short walk away from the Pioneer Settlement. The gallery opened in 1966 and it was moved to its current purpose built location on the banks of the Marraboor River in 1987. The main focus is local native art, but there are sculptures, drawings, paintings and prints in the collection.
The gallery offers artist talks, live music, workshops and holiday programs. The program of events is extensive and it changes regularly. So, it’s a great idea to see what’s coming up at the gallery before you plan your trip to see if there’s an activity or event that you may want to experience.
Swan Hill Murray River Walk
The Swan Hill River Walk is a scenic and accessible trail that meanders along the banks of the Murray and Little Murray Rivers in Swan Hill, Victoria. Spanning approximately 4.5 kilometers, the walk begins at the Milloo Street Wetlands and extends to the Pental Island Bridge, offering a flat and leisurely path suitable for walking, jogging, or cycling.
Along the route, visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions and amenities. Riverside Park, located near the town center, provides facilities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and public restrooms, making it an ideal spot for families. The trail also features interpretive signage that offers insights into the area’s natural environment, Indigenous heritage, and historical significance as a former bustling river port.
Notable landmarks along the walk include the historic 1896 Swan Hill Lift Bridge, a vertical lift bridge that remains operational today, and the Pioneer Settlement, Australia’s first open-air museum, which showcases life along the Murray River from 1830 to 1930. For those interested in wildlife, the Milloo Street Wetlands at the northern end of the trail offer opportunities for birdwatching and observing local flora and fauna.
Whether you’re seeking a peaceful stroll, a family outing, or a journey through history, the Swan Hill River Walk provides a delightful experience along one of Australia’s most iconic rivers.
Some Of The Things You Will See Along The Walk:
- Coffee Shops
- Big4 Riverside Caravan Park
- Japanese Garden
- Viewing Platform
- Pioneer Settlement
- The PS GEM
- Swan Hill Art Gallery
Cruise On The Murray River On PS Pyap
Visitors can take a cruise on the PS Pyap paddle steamer which departs from a wharf at the Pioneer Settlement. This river cruise takes around an hour. It’s a wonderful way to relax and get a different perspective of the river. It starts in the little Murray and cruises into the Big Murray out past Murray Downs Homestead. Enjoy the relaxing noise of the water, as you observe nature and the different bird life.
The PS Pyap was launched in 1896, it has a shallow draft to navigate the river which is only 1m deep at certain points. This craft was initially built to be a general store that would tour farming settlements along the river. The cruise departs at 2.30pm from Monday to Friday; at the weekends there is another morning cruise that leaves at 10.30am too.
Visiting The Pioneer Settlement
If you plan to visit a couple of the attractions at the Pioneer Settlement, you are able to combine a couple of activities for a reduced price. There are four different experiences to choose from.
- Entry to the Pioneer Settlement
- A Ride on the PS Pyap along the Murray River
- Heart of the Murray Laser Show- 6.30pm Tues, Thurs, and Saturday Nights
- Legends of the Mallee Laser light Show, 6:30pm Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sunday nights
Eating Out In Swan Hill
Swan Hill has a number of delicious places to eat, far more than you might expect in a relatively small tourist town. This is an excellent place to enjoy the local produce with a farm to table experience. There are lots of places to eat a snack, including cafes, wineries, pubs, restaurants, eateries, bakeries and food trucks. The cuisine styles on offer include Australian, Italian, Chinese, Thai and more.
The Paragon Cafe
This cafe is one of our favourite places to eat in Swan Hill and it’s a must for weekend visitors. It can be found at the Dumosa Towaninnie Hall which was moved to the area and redeveloped in 2015 to create this cafe. Which is situated at the Pioneer Settlement.
The Paragon Cafe opened its doors in 2016, it quickly generated a whopping $1.5 million which was a huge boost for the local economy. The cafe was badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, but it’s been recently refurbished and the cafe is back in business serving fresh food, tasty treats and delicious coffee.
Before Getting On The Train Back To Melbourne
Right beside the train station car park is the Big Cod. It is worth taking a few minutes to wander over and take a look. Arnold, as he is known is a Big Cod that was built as a movie prop filmed in the area. It is a great place to have a photo taken as part of your stay in Swan Hill.
Looking for Other Things to do in Swan Hill- You might like to read 18 Things to do in Swan Hill.
3 Tips For A Smoother Swan Hill Trip
Swan Hill is a well connected regional city, it has all the amenities that you would expect, but there are three tips that can help you to enjoy a smoother trip.
- Getting Around: The best way for visitors to tour the town and attractions is to take a walk or you could bring your bike on the train with you.. This is a walking paradise and extremely bike-friendly for casual and keen cyclists alike. There are local bus services that connect the outlying areas of Swan Hill together and they are cost-effective travel options. The schedules are great, but the frequency of service is not as extensive as a larger town or city. To visit nearby towns there are V/Line train services available. If you’re traveling in a larger group or with luggage there are taxis to get you where you need to go.
- Consider the Weather: It’s a great idea to take layers of clothing and accessories such as hats and sunglasses that are weather appropriate. The weather can be quite variable depending on when you want to visit and keeping an eye on the weather forecast is advisable.
- Health and Safety: Sunscreen is a must, avoid the hottest parts of the day and feel reassured that the area has some excellent health care for a rural town. To tackle the walking trails take some comfortable and durable footwear to protect your feet.
In Conclusion-Melbourne To Swan Hill by Train
Traveling from Melbourne to Swan Hill by train is a relatively long journey, but it’s a viable option for a weekend break if you leave on Friday night and come back on Sunday night. Swan Hill is an interesting and relaxing place to take a break and enjoy some excellent food, wines and beers. Many people return regularly because they enjoy the attractions, culture, nature and general vibe of this friendly rural tourist town.