Swifts Creek campground
Murray Valley National Park
Overview
Swifts Creek campground in Murray Valley National Park is a great place to set up a riverside campsite and enjoy fishing, canoeing, picnics, walking, birdwatching and cycling.
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, boat ramp, carpark, toilets |
| What to bring | Drinking water, cooking water, fuel stove |
| Price | There are no camping fees at this campground but a $6 booking fee applies. |
| Group bookings | Bookings for up to 9 sites and 40 people can be made online. School groups and commercial tour operators can submit a group booking enquiry form. |
| Please note |
|
If you’re looking for a great place to set up camp for a night or two, Swifts Creek campground is the ideal place. Situated at the most narrow part of Murray River (The Narrows), this campground is surrounded by river red gum forest and is an ideal base for exploring Murray Valley National Park.
The boat ramp near the campground allows easy access of boats into and out of the river, which you’ll be sharing with other creatures such as woodland birds and wood ducks. Look out for koalas in the trees surrounding the campground and along the river.
Decking suspended over the river’s edge is a great spot for fishing or just sitting back and enjoying the sights and sounds of the bush. There’s plenty to see and do, so remember to bring your mountain bike, canoe, kayak, fishing rod, hiking boots or binoculars to take advantage of your surroundings.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/swifts-creek-campground/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Moama office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Closed 12pm to 1pm.
- 03 5483 9100
- npws.riverina@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Factory 5, Lot 8 Bowlan Road, Moama NSW 2731
Park info
- in Murray Valley National Park in the Murray-Riverina region
Murray Valley National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Swifts Creek campground.
Getting there and parking
By car from Moama (dry weather access only):
- Head along Cobb Highway towards Mathoura for around 20mins (29.8km)
- Turn right onto Exchange Road (NPWS symbol on sign), and head into Murray Valley National Park's Moira precinct.
- Continue along Exchange Road, veering left down Coolamon Road.
- Turn right onto Swifts Creek Road and continue along until you reach the River Road intersection at the river.
- Turn right into Swifts Creek campground and picnic area.
From Mathoura/Picnic Point Road:
- Take the Picnic Point Road turn-off and continue along the road
- Turn right at the turn-off to The Narrows and continue along over a little one-way bridge
- Veer right as you continue along this road along the top of the levy bank
- Veer left as you continue along until you reach the park entrance.
- Travel another 7km along River Road/Hut Road until you reach Swifts Creek campground and picnic area
Road quality
The roads to this campground are dry weather only, unless you're arriving via Mathoura/Picnic Point Road.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
There is parking near the entrance to Swifts Creek campground, on the right side of the information sign and at the boat ramp.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Murray Valley National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
The perfect time for a camping holiday: the days are cooler and the nights are not yet too chilly.
Spring
If it's been a wet winter white ibis and straw necked ibis will be nesting from late winter through to spring.
Summer
A great time for water activities on the Murray - swimming in the river is a delightful way to spend your time.
Winter
The morning light sparkles on the river; try your hand at fishing for Murray cray.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
12°C and 32°C
Highest recorded
44.7°C
Winter temperature
Average
3°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
–3.8°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
August to October
Driest month
February
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
98mm
Facilities
- Drinking water is limited or not available in this area.
- You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
- Please bring your own firewood. Although dead, fallen timber on the ground may be collected for firewood in the park, there is very little wood in the campground.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Wood barbecues
Boat ramp
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Carrying and using chainsaws is strictly prohibited.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Swifts Creek campground is in Murray Valley National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal heritage
The river red gum forests of the Murray Valley are the traditional Country for Aboriginal people. The landscape and all that it contains; rivers, forests, birds and animals are part of cultural beliefs and feature in Dreaming stories. The park provided a wealth of resources, including plants that were used as medicines and in tool making. The river was a rich food source; in some seasons the water was so clear and the fish plentiful. When you're exploring the park, keep your eyes open for Aboriginal sites, especially middens, oven mounds and scarred trees, where bark has been removed from the tree to make canoes, coolamons and shields.
An abundance of treasures
The Ramsar-listed Murray Valley wetland is home to over 60 threatened native animal species and 40 threatened plant species. Lay down the paddle of your canoe and sit in the silence, enjoying the company of egrets and cormorants, and keep an eye out for the superb parrot, slender and bright green. You may also see night herons, black swans, yellow rosellas, ducks, falcons, cockatoos, tree creepers, pardalotes, kingfishers and owls - this is truly a bird-lover's paradise.
- Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
- Murray River canoe trails These 4 canoe trails in Murray Valley National Park and Victoria’s Barmah National Park offer something for every paddler. Canoe the flowing Murray River, secluded creeks or Barmah Lake.
- Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.
- Reed Beds Bird Hide boardwalk It’s an easy walk along the boardwalk to Reed Beds Bird Hide, with fun things to do along the way. Listen to see how many different bird calls you can hear on the way.
Forestry history
The magnificent river red gums have made this an important area for forestry and milling since the mid-nineteenth century. By the 1870's, construction of railway lines brought great demand for red gum sleepers; logging became a key feature of this area's industry. Wood-chopping events have long been a feature of local festivals and many people who live in Mathoura are third and fourth-generation timber workers.
River red gum country
This iconic landscape features the huge river red gums soaring from the banks of the Murray and wetlands that make up this part of the Riverina's important ecosystem. This new park, formed from a number of former state forests, is part of the largest continuous river red gum forest in the southern hemisphere and is an important and unique ecosystem.
- Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
- Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
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Eastern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
Found across most of NSW, the eastern snake-necked turtle, also known as the eastern long-necked turtle, can be found in swamps, lakes and inland waterways. This freshwater turtle is carnivorous and lives most of its life submerged on the water’s edge, searching for worms and snails.
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Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
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Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
Plants
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River red gum (Eucalpytus camaldulensis)
Australian native plants, majestic river red gum trees are widespread across Australian inland river systems. The river red gum is a dominant tree species of the Murray-Darling basin which spans NSW, Queensland and Victoria. This iconic native eucalypt grows to a height of 30m and is thought to have a lifespan up to 500-1000 years.