White-man has lived and worked in the area since Edward John Eyre (the explorer) and protector of Aborigines, was granted land by the Government at Moorunde 19 km north of what would later become the tiny town of Swan Reach.
A homestead, shearing shed, shepherds hut, sheep dip, wool washing plant, kitchen and shearers quarters, were erected at Swan Reach around 1860.
The private township of Swan Reach was subdivided and commenced in 1899 by Paul Hasse. Since that time all the low lying buildings in the town have been under-water in 1917, 1931, and the largest of all floods occurring in 1956.