A Complete Guide to Discovering Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement

The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement is situated on the banks of the Marraboor River also known as the Little Murray River. Here, you can take a step back in time at the Mallee Township, Towaninnie Homestead, and 1850s era Pioneer Cottages. A fantastic way to experience true Australian history is by taking a break at the Paragon Cafe or riding in a horse-drawn carriage. Visitors will be pleased to learn that their entry ticket costs include a second day for free! This is important because there may be too much to experience in a day.

Historical Overview Of The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement

The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement located at 125 Monash Ave, Swan Hill, Victoria, is an authentic village with historical significance that showcases and preserves the history of pioneer life in the area. This attraction was established in the early 1960s as a key part of a project to represent pioneer heritage in the Swan Hill region.

The Pioneer Settlement has been developed and expanded to add activities, exhibits, and more buildings. This creates an immersive experience for visitors to get a glimpse of Mallee life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The settlement has authentic buildings from the era brought from various locations within the region. These buildings include homes, shops, schools, and a variety of other interesting structures. They have been fully restored and furnished with period items to create the right atmosphere. All this work has established the settlement as an essential repository of pioneer history. Visitors can experience a period that may be lost to time, but that feels vivid and vibrant.

Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement Exhibits And Attractions

As we mentioned in the introduction, the “By Day” entry ticket actually allows for admission on two consecutive days. Simply show your ticket to the staff on the second day; they will validate it for you, and you’re good to go. A second day is helpful because there is a lot to see and do in the settlement. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you won’t want to miss:

1/ The Blacksmith Shop

The beating heart of any early Pìoneer Settlement was the blacksmith shop and Swan Hill is no exception. We watched the blacksmith working the forge with skill and strength to make a wide variety of items from iron. His hammer strikes the metal on the anvil, shaping the metal into objects, such as horseshoes, nails, and many other items. When the metal cools and is no longer pliable it is placed back into the fire. This continues until he completes what he is making.

The blacksmith can make and repair tools, implements, parts for carriages, agricultural machinery, and even household goods. The iron will be heated to around 800ºC for forging and shaping, but to weld two disparate pieces together the temperature must be raised to 1400ºC. This is definitely not the place to work in summer, but during the winter months, it’s cozy.

The blacksmith shop was built in 1896 and the most famous blacksmith was Thomas Thomson. He could measure, make, and fit a horseshoe as the customer waited, and a full set of four could be made in around 90 minutes!

2/ The “Black Bess” Steam Engine

This is a 28 tonne steam engine, built in the UK in 1920 and it can be seen and heard moving around the settlement. It was originally used to drain and clear the swampland and pull up stubborn tree roots for local farmers. Black Bess was retired in 1946 after WW2 and since then she has been in residence at the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement. In 2014, the engine underwent extensive restoration and it’s been back in virtual continuous use ever since.

3/ The Echo Print Shop

In the pioneer era, the primary source of information beyond simple word of mouth was in print. Newspapers could convey complex stories, and simpler information could be delivered with posters and handbills.

At the print shop, you can get your name printed on wanted posters using an original Chandler and Price treadle press. This is a fascinating insight into how early printing worked and a great way to get a keepsake.

4/ Jimmy Long’s Bakery

A bakery was vital for every small town, and the Mallee was no exception. Some bakers had traveling carts to tour their settlements and they allowed locals to bake their own bread in the ovens. There were significant challenges to overcome, the weather, flour quality, and unpredictable access to water could all make baking difficult.

The Long family ran this bakery from 1874, and their tenure continued until the early 1930s. The bakery was established by Thomas Long, but he died a couple of years later, and his wife Elspeth took over while raising two children.

Her son Jimmy took over the running of the bakery until the family moved away to Melbourne.

This bakery is a tribute to the stoicism of Elspeth Long, and it’s still a working bakery to this day. Visitors can see the wood-fired oven and 19th Century aerated water machine in action.

5/ The Kaiser Stereoscopic Theatre

This was constructed in Germany in 1895, and it gave pioneers a chance to see other parts of the world that would have been impossible without extensive travelling. Major world events, such as coronations, battles, funerals, disasters, and more were shown. When full, the theatre accommodates 25 people, and events are displayed through sets of individual eyepieces!

6/ The Music Shop & Drapery

On the main street each day, visitors can hear old tunes played by volunteers on the 19th Century Pianolo player. Pioneers knew how to play an instrument or hold a tune to entertain themselves and others.

Most boys and girls learned some kind of party piece and the favorite instruments were tin whistles, the melodeon, the accordion and pianolas, and player pianos. Anyone could operate the last two musical machines, they simply turned the handle and punched cards would control the playing for them.

7/ Agricultural Machinery From The Mallee Area

Many items in the settlement are related to early farming, such as headers, strippers, ploughs, and tractors. Some of these pieces are the only existing examples of these items left in the world!

The settlement has 22 tractors on site dating from the beginning of the 20th Century up to the end of WW2. The tractors are fully restored and regularly maintained and many of them are drivable.

Visitors should check with the restoration workshop or speak to the volunteers who can be seen driving the tractors around the settlement. They will be happy to share more details about these fascinating machines for those with a keen interest in agriculture and engineering.

8/ The Wood-Turners Work Shop

A visit at the weekend is advisable for those who want to see volunteer wood-turners at work. Most of the settlers in this area made items from timber they cut or collected and most settlements had at least one busy carpenter shop.

This gave settlers the chance to purchase something more refined, and they could get their own creations finished with latches, hinges, and real nails! Visitors can watch the wood become transformed into beautiful objects and even purchase a keepsake to take home.

9/ The Steam Workshop

Until the arrival of the internal combustion engine and electricity, the settlement was reliant upon steam to power agriculture and industry. The steam workshop is host to a wood fired steam boiler built in 1913, which provided power for a wide range of equipment. Most of this equipment is in full working order and on display for visitors.

The steam boiler is in regular operation when the weather is cooler. However the fire hazard risk makes it impractical to use during the summer. The workshop is used to fix the large wooden vehicles in the settlement using a flat-plate bed lathe.

10/ The Paddle Steamer Gem

This is a fully restored paddle steamer, which was previously known as the “Queen of the Murray.”  She was built in 1876 in Moama and in 1882 she was transferred to Goolwa to be converted to accommodate passengers. To make the necessary changes she was drawn up onto a beach, sawn in half, and an extra centre section was added to make her larger!

When the Gem returned to service her lower deck was reserved for cargo, the galley, and the dining room. The middle deck was used for passenger accommodations, and the top deck is where the wheelhouse and crew were located. The Gem had a music room on the middle deck for ladies and a smoking room on the top deck for gentlemen.

The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement purchased the Gem in 1962, and delivery was anticipated in around ten days. The journey took much longer; due to lower river water levels, it took eight months to tow the steamer to Swan Hill from Goolwa.

The Gem is currently being restored; she has a beautiful new gazebo and a fresh timber deck. Visitors can take a stroll around the three steamer decks to get a feel for what she would have been like in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

11/ Cobb and Co Horse Drawn Coaches

You can see Cobb and Co coaches at the replica Cobb and Co Coach House. This name is a key part of Australian history; there is a Barouche, Horse Break, and the delightfully named Sociable Buggy to explore. These wonderful horse-drawn vehicles are not just for display purposes and they can often be seen driving around the settlement.

Next to the coach house is a working old-fashioned post office with a telegraph and postal services. A visitor can even post a card or letter in the post box which is cleared daily. Rides on a horse-drawn carriage are free, and they are a fantastic way to tour the settlement.

12/ Photographic Parlour

This is a great place to dress up in period clothing and have your photo taken. There a outfits to choose from for both males and females and young and old. Have some fun get dressed up and have a photo taken to remember your time at the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement.

Activities for Visitors At The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement

Aside from the activities and attractions we’ve already covered. You should experience a ride in the restored 1920s Dodge. It lacks cruise control, power windows, and air-con, but it has plenty of charm and is worth having a ride.

Another great option is a leisurely ride on Joe. He’s the resident horse, and he’s happy to draw a carriage to his favourite spots around the Mallee township. Both of these rides are free, and they are well worth a short wait. To take a ride, speak to a friendly volunteer driver around the Saddlery and they will be happy to take you on a tour.

Visitor Facilities and Services At The Pioneer Settlement

The General Store

This is a great place to purchase a lemon sherbet, raspberry drop, licorice block or a humble humbug sweet. The Lolly Shop is a traditional corner store, which has authentic grocery items on display and traditional sweets for sale. Christine runs the store and older visitors are sure to see at least one item that jogs their memory.

The Paragon Cafe

This cafe is located at the Dumosa Towaninnie Hall which was relocated to the settlement. The building was developed to create the cafe in 2015. It’s named after “The Paragon” which was a famous historic Swan Hill establishment.

The Paragon Cafe opened in 2016, and the volunteers running it. Sadly, in 2021 the cafe was hit by the Covid-19 lockdowns, and it’s taken a couple of years to complete renovations and build the menu back up. Now the cafe is a great place for fresh food and treats, and they serve excellent coffee.

The Usual Facilities

Visitors to the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement will find all the usual facilities they require, such as a car park, public toilets, coach parking, cafes, shops, gift shops, and a picnic area.

Planning Your Visit To The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement

Visitors to the settlement can make the most of their time if they follow a few simple tips and tricks:

• Planning: Set aside sufficient time for activities, tours, and special events that interest you during your visit. You will need at least a day to see everything at the Pioneer Settlement. The admission fee allows you to spend 2 days exploring the settlement.
• Be Comfortable: Some of the terrain is uneven and visitors will be taking part in interactive experiences and exploring the settlement. So, wear comfortable and season-appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Check Prices and Opening Hours: Check the website to confirm the ticket prices and opening hours to help you plan your trip.
• Pack Water and Snacks: There are places to eat and drink, but there may be times when you need to hydrate or eat a snack to keep your energy up. This is especially true if you’re visiting the settlement with kids.
• Take Sun Protection: If the weather is sunny, you will need a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses to protect your eyes and skin when you’re exploring outdoors.
• Respect the Settlement: The artifacts, items, vehicles, machines, and even the buildings are part of a living historical settlement. Follow the guidelines and instructions to preserve the settlement for yourself and future visitors.
• Focus on Engagement: Visitors will get more out of their visit if they are engaged with hands-on opportunities and interactive experiences.
• Take Pictures and Video: There is a lot to see and plenty of memories to capture at the settlement. Make sure you bring a charged up smartphone or camera to take advantage of the multiple photogenic opportunities.

Visiting Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement In Conclusion 

The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement offers a rich and vibrant living historical experience for visitors. There is always something to see and do, and there may be seasonal demonstrations or events to experience. Before you plan your trip, make sure to check with the website to see what upcoming events they may have planned.

A local overnight stay is recommended to make the most of your trip with a second day consecutive visit which is included in the ticket price. The sheer amount of love, care, and attention to detail is impressive, and this site is a fantastic way to take a look at our culture and history.

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