Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ment in an open-air transporter. A combined package for cruise and show works out to re-
duce the cost.
TWIN TOWNS
There's almost always a 'twin' town across the Murray River in New South Wales (technically the river itself is
in NSW) but generally the most interesting towns are on the Victorian side - the main exception being Albury-
Wodonga (sorry, Wodonga!). Before Federation in 1901, all major river crossings had customs houses on each
bank, from which the two states levied tariffs on goods carried across their borders. Before poker machines were
introduced into Victoria in 1990, many of the twin towns on the NSW side made a fortune from punters travelling
across by the busload to play the 'pokies'. Now they're on both sides and gambling has spread throughout Victor-
ia.
Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery
( 03-5036 2430;
www.swanhillart.com
; Monash Dr, Horseshoe Bend; admission by donation; 10am-5pm Tue-
Sun)
Opposite the Pioneer Settlement, this gallery has a permanent collection of more than
300 pieces, focusing on the works of contemporary and local artists.
GALLERY
Murray Downs Resort
( 03-5033 1427, 1800 807 574;
www.murraydownsresort.com.au
;
Murray Downs Dr; 9/18 holes $25/40, club hire
$25)
Itching for a round? One of the Murray's superb public-resort golf courses, Murray
Downs is 5km east of Swan Hill in NSW, but is regarded as a Swan Hill club.
GOLF
Festivals & Events
Swan Hill has a racecourse, and the three-day
racing carnival
over the Queen's Birthday
weekend in June is the main event of the year. It culminates with the Swan Hill Cup on
the Sunday. Book accommodation well in advance.
Australian Inland Wine Show
(
www.inlandwine.com
;
Mar 3rd weekend Oct)
Usually held in October, in 2014 this festival shif-
ted to March to coincide with the Swan Hill Food & Wine Festival. Whether that contin-
ues remains to be seen - check at the Swan Hill Region Information Centre. Whenever it's
held, the region's motto is the same: 'Life is too short to drink bad wine.'
WINE
Sleeping
