Last time we drove through Swan Hill we did not stay here, so we thought we would and splurged a little bit and got a riverside site at the Big 4 Swan Hill for 2 nights. Well we regretted that decision. The park is in a good location on the river next to the Pioneer Village which is not dog friendly. We got to watch a paddle steamer from the village go past once a day and that was fun.
Paddlesteamer went past everyday
The amenities were great, camp kitchen was great, well stocked, air conditioned, lots of table and chairs, pool also looked great. Easy to walk into town which we were not that impressed with. Next to a great park with lots of swings and places for people to picnic. The caravan park is very popular, most of the sites away from the riverside had green grass. This is where we made our mistake, paying extra for a riverside site, that were very very well used with no grass, just dirt and dust. There was no way we could attach our hose to a water tap that was far too away from our van. Honestly if you stay here just get a normal site.
After leaving Swan Hill we stopped for the night at Covina RV Park 72 hrs max stay. What a great little spot, very friendly town. Park is right next to the bowls club who apparently come over on Friday’s and invite the campers to a game of bowls and BBQ for $5 per person. We did buy lunch in town. Unfortunately only had time to spend 1 night here but it would have been good to have spent several night.
Covina RV Park
Our plans when leaving home was to free camp along the Murray, but as mentioned any place we did call into and we did keep checking them were very dry, dusty and busy. And with the heat we decided this trip might be better to stay at caravan parks if needed. Murray River camping offers some really great spots that are free but also very popular so over used and the ground does not have chance to recover.
We knew Echuca was a place we wanted to spend a few days, so we had to book here a few days in advance. We stayed for 3 nights at the NRMA Echuca Holiday Park on a new Ensuite site. It was fantastic. And well worth the extra dollars for us with Chris, making having a shower so much easier. It was also within walking distance of town.
Ensuite site
We walked up and down the streets several times, explored all areas of the Port of Echuca with a walking tour, really worth doing. Echuca is pretty dog friendly, Jess was welcome at the port and on a paddle steamer. There are plenty of places you can sit and eat outside in the Main Street with a dog. Something that was very much lacking at Swan Hill, we could not find any suitable places to sit at outside and get a meal with Jess.
There is loads to see and do at Echuca much of which we had done before. We were keen to do another Paddle steamer cruise which Jess enjoyed being on. The PS Pevensey is what we went on, Jess even got her own ticket.
From Echuca we headed to Wodonga, checked out the area a bit before heading to Ludlows Reserve for the night right on the edge of the Hume Dam.
Rewarded with a rainbow after a storm
This is a free 24hr camp area, really good spot for the night and pretty popular as well not surprising.
The next day we drove to the Hume Dam Wall and that is also worth a look.
Hume Dam wall
We thought we were going to spend more time in the Murray Region, but with the unexpected heat, dryness and dust we decided to start moving north. We had a few places we really wanted to call into and stay and the extra few days, we were able to add into this part of the next journey made that possible.
Live Long and Prosper