Echuca to Swan Hill drive: Distance, time and road trip stops
The Echuca to Swan Hill drive has two possible routes. Go the most fun route via Gunbower Island, Cohuna and Koondrook, and the Echuca to Swan Hill road trip is 160km long. That makes for a 1h51m driving time.
The drive from Echuca to Swan Hill in Victoria is a logical leg on a longer Murray River road trip. Along the way, you can check out several Murray River attractions and maybe go for a cruise.
To fix your Echuca accommodation, look through your options here.
Echuca to Swan Hill drive via Murray Valley Highway
The first decision is about which route to take. The quickest Echuca to Swan Hill drive follows the Murray Valley Highway through the town of Kerang and past several lakes. These include Lake Charm and Kangaroo Lake.
Go this way, and the Echuca to Swan Hill drive is 155km long, taking around one hour and 45 minutes.
Your Echuca checklist
- Combine a one hour Murray River paddlesteamer cruise with lunch at Morrison’s Winery.
- Book a nature-focused guided e-bike tour.
- Or an extended three hour e-bike tour with a winery visit.
- Find the best deals on Echuca accommodation.
Book your Echuca accommodation
The best Echuca accommodation options are:
- For a solid motel with low rates: Paddlewheel Motel.
- For prime position in the historic Port of Echuca: Campapse Lodge.
- For apartments with a touch of style: Cocknbull Boutique Hotel.
- For a family-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Echuca.
Echuca to Swan Hill distance and driving time
The more interesting route from Echuca to Swan Hill hugs the Murray River more tightly. This version of the Echuca to Swan Hill drive doesn’t take much longer. The distance by car is 160km, and the driving time is one hour and 51 minutes.
This allows you to explore what is allegedly Australia’s largest inland island on the Gunbower Island Forest Drive. Starting in the town of Cohuna, this scenic driving route combines wetlands, river red gum forests and imperious black box trees. There are plenty of good spots for a picnic, while seeing native Australian wildlife is practically guaranteed.
Gunbower Creek tours
Cohuna is also the base for Murray River Adventures, which operates kayaking tours on the lakes, river and Gunbower Creek.
After a fix of the Gunbower National Park wildlife, the Echuca to Swan Hill drive carries on towards Koondrook. This border town faces Barham in New South Wales, and offers a few good river experiences.
These include Wetlander Cruises, which offers dining cruises along Gunbower Creek.
The route through Cohuna and Koondrook rejoins the Murray Valley Highway after passing the Benjeroop Recreation Reserve and Lake Tutchewop.
Echuca to Swan Hill road trip: Lake Boga
The last section of the Echuca to Swan Hill drive passes Lake Boga. This is a popular swimming spot, but it’s also home to the Lake Boga Flying Boats Museum, where you can learn about the World War II flying boats operation.
From Lake Boga, it’s about 15 minutes to Swan Hill.
Find the best Swan Hill accommodation
The best Swan Hill accommodation choices are:
- For families – with a pool and water park: Big4 Swan Hill holiday park.
- For a solid, cheap motel – with a pool and great reviews: Murray River Motel.
- For central location and convenience: Jane Eliza Motor Inn.
More Victoria travel
Enjoy the lakes around Donald, Victoria.
Go walking in Mount Worth State Park near Yarragon.
What to see on the drive from Bendigo to Echuca.
Stop in Port Fairy or Koroit on the Portland to Warrnambool drive.