Bowhill is a short drive from Mannum on the Murray River

Bowhill is a popular place to relax by the Murray River

The small settlement of Bowhill is a short distance from Mannum in South Australia. It is a collection of Murray riverside shacks and houses and a great spot to take a ski. You can hire a river house (commonly referred to as shack) which works out to be an affordable holiday on the Murray River.

Lowan Conservation Park

Close by Lowan Conservation Park is noted for its breeding populations of wedge-tailed eagles and Mallee fowl, is 13 km south-east of Bowhill. This park of mallee scrub and grey cypress pines has no facilities, but bush camping is allowed (a fee is payable). Access is via the Bowhill-Karoonda Road which provides access to the eastern boundary.

Younghusband Road Nature Reserve

On the floodplain and is made up of lagoons and backwaters running parallel with the Murray River. From the Purnong ferry follow the river to Younghusband Road, here birdlife is protected and prolific. The scenery alters from sandstone cliffs near Bow Hill to a narrow floodplain close to Mannum. The views over Teal Flat, and from Coolcha and Chucka Bend are worth seeing.

Mid Murraylands Scenic Drive

Distance: approximately 176 km. Begin at Mannum and follow the Sedan Road through the Angus Valley. Turn east at Cambrai, and follow the Marne River to Black Hill, noted for its quality granite, some of which was used in the new Parliament House, Canberra. From Black Hill, the road passes Shell Hill, famous for its fossils, past the Ridley Conservation Park and continues to Swan Reach. Here the scenic drive crosses the river by ferry and continues to the lookout (9km from Swan Reach) and onto Nildottie and Walker Flat. Follow the river south through Caurnamont and use the ferry crossing at Purnong. From Purnong follow the river through Chucka Bend, Bowhill, Coolcha, along Younghusband Road and back to Mannum.