The Avon River at Stratford meanders through wide pebbly beaches either side of the Princes Hwy. On your way
between Melbourne and Bairnsdale, the riffles catch your eye from the bridge above as they glisten in the sunlight.
The river is a moderately popular swimming spot, and when I last passed through here around Christmas 2013, I watched
a family drive up to the edge of the water in their 4WD and unload the kids for a splash in a shallow, fast flowing
section of the river.
Above: The view of the riffles looking upstream
(Order this image, photo gifts or prints)
To get to the river, turn right into the Apex Park on the eastern side of the Princes Hwy bridge and park in the
playground car park. You can drive down to the river, but unless you have a 4WD, chances are you will get stuck in
the loose pebbles, so it is safer to just walk down. The Apex Park also has an artists trail plus a very cool kids adventure
castle with its own Excalibur sword locked into a giant stone. I couldn't pull it out, but maybe you will be the
chosen one. Stratford is home to a Shakespeare festival in April of each year, which is a good time to visit if you
enjoy the Bard's plays.
This swimming hole did not make it into my top 50 in Victoria. The main reason being the poor water quality. When
I visited there was a stench of horse poo and the water had both an odour and a green tinge along its length, presumably the effects of upstream
agriculture. My number one swimming hole in Victoria is not far from here, so if you want an amazing swim in crystal clear
water near Stratford, grab a copy of the guide to
Freshwater Swimming Holes in Victoria.
Other Information Before You Go:
Location: Apex Park, McMillan St, Stratford, 230 km (approx. 2.5 hr drive) east of the Melbourne CBD
Latitude:-37.971745
Longitude:147.076666
Getting there: From the Princes Hwy, park in the Apex Park on the eastern side of the bridge crossing
the Avon River. Walk down to the river along the dirt road running from the park to under the bridge.
Facilities: Public toilets, playground, artists trail, car park, bmx track, bbqs
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Cloudy
Under foot: Pebbles
Maximum water depth: Less than 1 metre
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Beginners (in the shallow pools away from the main current)
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No prohibitions specified on site
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water (under the bridge)
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: None to river. Toilets are wheelchair accessible.
Accommodation Options: Camping is not available alongside the river at Stratford. If you are staying overnight in the area you can try
accommodation near this swim.
Managing authority: Shire of Wellington
Nearby attractions: The Apex Park
Before you head out, make sure to read the
swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions.
Locality Map:
The marker indicates the approximate location of this swimming spot. You can park in the Apex Park and walk to the river.
Comments:
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experiences after visiting, and any changes in swimming conditions. All fields are required if you would like your comments published on this website.
© Brad Neal 2019. All rights reserved.
