Pioneer Settlement

01/06/2026

🚧 The PS Gem is temporarily closed to the public until mid-June, while major restoration works are underway for her 150th birthday.

Many captained the PS Gem during a lifetime on the Murray River, including Captain Hugh King (1840–1921), the legendary ‘The Grand Old Man of the River’, and an early pioneer of Murray River trade.

Born in Glasgow, Hugh arrived in Australia in 1859 and initially went to the diggings in Bendigo. At the age of 25 in 1865, he built his first little steamer ‘Moira’. He then owned the ‘Cheviot’, built the ‘Princess Royal’ with the former’s engines, then the ‘Jupiter’ and the ‘Jane Eliza”, before taking ownership of the ‘Gem’ in April 1879 and overseeing her transformation to the “Queen of the Murray”.

Main image, archival photography of the PS Gem (2015), inset image courtesy the State Library of South Australia [PRG 1258/4/14].

29/05/2026

Prefer real horsepower? Our horse and carriage ride, drawn by one of our two lovely Clydesdales, Ben or Rocky, is a great way to see our Mallee township and meet one of our friendly volunteer drivers.

Rides are free with a By Day (General Admission) ticket, or upgrade to a By Day + Day River ticket and also enjoy a leisurely one-hour Pyap cruise at 2.30pm, or 10.30am on weekends. For more ticket options, visit our website: www.pioneersettlement.com.au/tickets

27/05/2026

Are you a ‘ferroequinologist’? Latin for “iron horse studier”, it’s another name for a train enthusiast, and our commanding D3 class locomotive is a must-see for rail fans, adults and children alike.

Manufactured in Castlemaine by Thompson’s Foundry for Victorian Railways in 1913, it was purchased in 1964 with a Canadian Red livery, and arrived in 1968 under its own steam, using a temporary spur line to reach its original destination within the Swan Hill Folk Museum (now the Pioneer Settlement).

25/05/2026

Located outside The Echo Print Shop is a simple horse trough with the inscription ‘Donated by Annis & George Bills, Australia’ – it’s one of two at the Pioneer Settlement, with the other found in front of the Lower Murray Inn, and a third closer to the Swan Hill CBD. These are just three of more than 700 found throughout Australia.

George Bills passed away in 1927, his wife having died before him and having no children. He left approximately £80,000 to “...construct and erect and pay for horse troughs wherever they may be of the opinion that such horse troughs are desirable...” and his estate began distributing the horse troughs in the 1930s.

Demand and production for Bills horse troughs ended with the rise of motorised transport by the 1940s, and today they remain a lasting legacy of the days of horse-drawn vehicles.

23/05/2026

A visit to the Pioneer Settlement isn’t complete without a stop in at the Paragon Cafe for a barista-brewed coffee, house-baked pastry, traditional scones with jam and double cream, or an old-fashioned fizzy spider. Stay a little while longer and enjoy a hearty lunch from their delicious range of Aussie classics and Afghan tucker.

The Paragon Cafe is open to Pioneer Settlement patrons, the local community, and visitors to the region. Open Wednesday to Sunday 7am–2.30pm, Monday and Tuesday 9am–2.30pm. www.paragoncafesh.com.au

22/05/2026

Our volunteers are the heart of Pioneer Settlement.

Whether it’s a friendly chat, sharing a story from years gone by, or helping visitors experience a piece of living history, the warmth and passion our volunteers bring is what makes the Settlement so special.

To every volunteer who gives their time, energy and care to help create memorable experiences for locals and visitors alike - thank you. Your contribution does not go unnoticed, and the impact you have on our community and visitors is truly valued!

❤️ National Volunteer Week 💙

👏Throughout the week we’ve been recognising just some of the many volunteer roles that help bring experiences across Swan Hill Rural City Council to life.

Today we’re shining a spotlight on the dedicated Dodge Car drivers at the Pioneer Settlement. More than just operating a beloved attraction, they help bring history to life by sharing stories, creating connections, and delivering memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.

🤩This is just one of the many volunteer roles that support the Pioneer Settlement. The time, passion and commitment of volunteers are a vital part of creating the welcoming and unique experience our visitors know and love.

21/05/2026

“Even in the days when only the wealthy citizens in Britain possessed a bank account, the outback workers of Australia were used to being paid by cheque – and to ‘knocking it down’ in the first bush pub on the track...” – Robert Ingpen, ‘Pioneer Settlement in Australia’ (1972).

‘The Commercial Bank of Australia’, circa 1880s, is a one-room weatherboard building, originally from Waitchie (about 40km west of Swan Hill), donated and remodelled by the CBA Bank – which merged in 1982 with Bank of New South Wales to form Westpac.

Find the bank where farmers once conducted their banking, in Main Street between Jimmy Long’s Bakery and the Mechanics’ Institute.

📷 : Photo credit: Wesley Stacey (1941-2023), c. 1968–1972, courtesy National Library of Australia: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-151794689

19/05/2026

Did you know the concept of a lathe is ancient? The earliest evidence is a depiction in a 4th century BC Egyptian tomb, with turned artefacts dating to the 6th century BC in ancient Italy.

Today, the Pioneer Settlement Woodturners features a somewhat more modern lathe, and most weekends, volunteer woodturners create small turned wood objects and keepsakes, including beautifully crafted wooden pens, available for purchase.

17/05/2026

🚧 The PS Gem is temporarily closed to the public until mid-June, while restoration works are underway for her 150th birthday.

The PS Gem celebrated its 100th birthday in 1976, with the official ceremony officiated by Premier Sir Rupert Hamer. A notable premier, he was committed to conservation, with Victoria the first state to introduce historic buildings legislation. He also established a dedicated Ministry for the Arts, serving as its first minister.

PS Gem detail from 1979 Victorian Railways poster, illustrated by Bruce Lauchlan, courtesy the State Library Victoria’s Victorian Railways poster archive: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/104831

15/05/2026

“We visited on a beautiful sunny day, and it was a truly enjoyable experience. We took a one-hour Pyap river cruise and spent the entire day exploring Australia’s fascinating pioneering past. The staff were friendly and very helpful, making our visit even more pleasant. For lunch, we had a delicious lamb korma with rice perfectly cooked, juicy, and wonderfully seasoned with rich spices... Overall, it was a fantastic day well spent, and we can’t wait to visit again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐” – Sanduni Eshwara, Google review

The Pyap cruises daily at 2.30pm weekdays and weekends. A By Day + By River ticket includes a 10.30am Pyap cruise on weekends, public holidays, and during Victorian school holidays. www.pioneersettlement.com.au/by-river

Enjoy a scrumptious morning tea or delicious lunch at the Paragon Cafe, 9am to 2.30pm Monday and Tuesday, or start the day with a rousing breakfast, 7am to 2.30pm Wednesday through Sunday. www.paragoncafesh.com.au