2025 70th Anniversary Rally - Swan Hill
Wednesday 15th - Saturday 18th October 2025 (Entries close 17th September)
RACV Veteran Car Club 70th Anniversary Annual Rally – Swan Hill 2025
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN
Please read through before entering as some items have changed.
The event is really taking shape. We have several surprises in store, none of which are listed in the Itinerary below.
Pricing in our post-covid world has been challenging but with the continuing support of our principal sponsor, the RACV and the assistance of the Swan Hill Rural City Council, we believe our entrants will be getting real value for money.
As the TAVCCA Murray Bridge National Rally concludes just 4 days before our event, we have found many of our entrants are arriving in Swan Hill early. To keep them occupied, we are offering discounted tickets for the light and laser spectacular – Heartbeat of the Murray. In the leadup to the 2021 National (the rally that didn’t happen), the rally director offered a moneyback guarantee for this show. “Look me in the eye and tell me it wasn’t worth it – and I will pay for your ticket” (Ts&Cs apply) This offer still stands.
We have also chartered the PS Pyap for a pre-event Cruise. (Concession price normally $26, our offer $16)
Tickets for the later scheduled, Wednesday and Thursday, will be limited, so if you are in Swan Hill on the Tuesday, take advantage of these two offers and don’t miss out.
Our veterans are finally heading to Swan Hill, and boy are we happy! During 2025 we celebrate 70 years since the formation of the Veteran Car Club of Australia (Vic). In 1955 a group of like-minded veteran motorists saw the benefits of forming a club to foster the movement and so here we are today.
The Annual rally is, as always, open to all veteran vehicles including 1&2’s and motorcycles. Swan Hill’s flat terrain makes this event suitable for all vehicle types. Although the Friday is a big day, we have made provision to offer options that should suit the less robust (man and machine.)
Join us for this special event and visit this page regularly for updates.
Press the ONLINE ENTRY button at the bottom of this page to complete your entry.
Michael and Claudia Holding
Directors
ACCOMMODATION
Swan Hill accommodation in Springtime is at a premium. Many annual events consume the available motels and tourist parks.
The BIG4 Swan Hill has some cabins and sites still available but not for much longer.
The BIG4 Riverside may have some larger cabins and some sites available.
BOOK NOW so you don’t miss out!
PHONE the property directly and advise them you are attending the rally. Do not use internet/website bookings.
The rally starts with a Mayoral Welcome at 4pm Wednesday (October 15th) and concludes with the Rally Dinner at the art deco Town Hall on Saturday evening (October 18th)
BIG 4 SWAN HILL
186 Murray Valley Highway, Swan Hill
03 5032 4372
www.big4swanhill.com.au
less than 2km from Daily Start
Various cabin configurations
Superior 2 & 3 Bedroom Cabins
Deluxe 2 & 3 Bedroom Cabins
1 & 2 Bedroom Villas
Studio Units
Standard Cabins
Ensuite Powered Sites
Trailer Parking on-site
Free WiFi
Special deals for rally entrants
1 nights deposit. Cancellation admin fee $50
Pet Friendly cabin and sites (Check availability when booking)
BIG 4 RIVERSIDE HOLIDAY PARK
1 Monash Drive Swan Hill
03 5032 1494
https://www.big4riversideswanhill.com.au
Rally Headquarters
Limited cabin configurations still available (Call now)
Some River Edge sites still available
10% Discount for all Rally Entrants (Big 4 members should
choose the rally discount, not your usual Big 4 discount)
1 nights deposit. Cancellation admin fee $50
Dog Friendly cabin and sites (Check availability when booking)
LAZY RIVER MOTOR INN
4188 Murray Valley Highway Swan Hill
03 5032 2123
https://lazyrivermotorinn.com.au
Next door to the Big4 Swan Hill
Various room configurations
Standard rooms with queen beds to Family
rooms and Queen Spa Suites
Set on 2 1/2 acres there is plenty of room for your trailer
Free WiFi
Tea and coffee making facilities
1.9 Kms to daily start (all 60 kph speed zone)
Free Guest Laundry
TRAILER PARKING
Where an accommodation property cannot accommodate trailers, arrangements have been made with a local company, just 900 metres from Rally Headquarters, to supply secure parking.
The Itinerary (subject to change)
Tuesday (Optional pre-event activities)
Early Registration at Rally Headquarters in the afternoon
Pyap Paddle Steamer
We have chartered the 130 year old PS Pyap paddle boat for the exclusive use of our rally entrants.
Enjoy a relaxing one hour cruise on board the PS Pyap, where you’ll journey upriver past the Riverside Caravan Park, Murray Downs Marina and the historic Murray Downs Homestead.
(Normal fare $29 Concession $26 Our price $16)
Heartbeat of the Murray
Nestled along the shores of the Little Murray River, the internationally renowned ‘Heartbeat of the Murray’ is a breath-taking 360-degree multimedia extravaganza. Seamlessly integrating water, light, lasers, sound, and captivating effects, this production weaves the tale of the Murray River.
Prepare to journey back an astonishing 30 million years, then travel through time to witness the evolution of the modern-day Murray River. This state-of-the-art show was the first of its kind in the world to use a natural river environment and setting as its background.
We have arranged special pricing for our rally entrants. (Normally $30, Concession $27, our price $24)
Wednesday
Registration all day at Rally Headquarters.
Mayoral Welcome with cocktail style reception.
Planned for 4pm, this will be a great opportunity to meet with many of your fellow enthusiasts.
Set within the sprawling grounds of the Lower Murray Inn at the Pioneer Settlement, overlooking the Murray River, this event will combine the formal activities of the “welcome” with the relaxed camaraderie that will manifest over the following few days.
Welcome bubbles on arrival and light Hors D’Oeuvres
Pyap Paddle Steamer
This is the second of two charters of the 130 year old PS Pyap paddle boat for the exclusive use of our rally entrants.
Enjoy a relaxing one hour cruise on board the PS Pyap, where you’ll journey upriver past the Riverside Caravan Park, Murray Downs Marina and the historic Murray Downs Homestead.
Thursday
A touring day to neighbouring Tooleybuc.
A 100 km round trip with distractions along the way. The run will be interrupted en-route with morning and afternoon tea, the Speewa punt and of course, lunch.
During a short walking tour of Nyah you will gain an insight into the passion of country Victorians.
The challenge today will be getting all our veterans across the Murray River on the Speewa cable punt. To achieve this, the group will be divided into two; with one group crossing on the way to lunch and the other, crossing on their return.
Heartbeat of the Murray
Our second screening of the Laser, light and sound show at rally discounted prices
Friday
The Big Day.
A 148 km round trip sounds a long way. It is… but we have some softeners:
The destination will be worth the journey: The Border Flywheelers Museum and lunch in the Barham Riverside Park.
The entire route is on quiet, flat, bitumen roads. The proper morning tea stop will break the run to lunch and afternoon tea at the Benjeroop Pump Museum, with its restored 1912 Hornsby pump on display, (with its 10 tonne flywheel) will segment your journey home.
For the smaller cars and bikes we have arranged several options to shorten the drive without missing any of the activities.
Happy Hour, Pizza Night and Open Air Theatre
We will be hosting a Happy Hour at the Big4 Swan Hill from 5.30pm No need to arrange dinner after the long day.
Pizzas will be available for purchase from an on-site vendor.
On dusk, in keeping with our 70th anniversary, we will be screening several early videos of VCCA (Vic) rallies dating back to 1955.
Saturday
A slightly shorter touring day.
Approximately 39 kilometres to a Lavender Farm for morning tea and then on to a special lunch in a spectacular setting at the Lake Boga Catalina Flying Boat Museum.
The return run of 38 kilometres to Swan Hill will bring you home in time to load the cars and relax before the Rally Dinner.
The Rally Dinner will be held on the Saturday evening in the magnificent art deco Swan Hill Town Hall.
Drinks at bar prices and as much chatter and banter with which you can cope.
Formalities will be kept to a minimum, but some special things will happen.
Contact Information
Rally Directors:
Michael Holding
mholding@netspace.net.au
Mobile 0407 008 895
Claudia Holding
claudia_holding@hotmail.com
Mobile 0402 484 036
On-line Event Entry Queries
On-line Event Entry Queries:
24 hour, 7 day Help Line
Michael Holding
mholding@netspace.net.au
Mobile 0407 008 895