A settlement is located inside a bend on the left (eastern/southern) bank of the Murray River between Mannum and Swan Reach.

The settlement is in the Mid Murray Council area, but most of the locality is located away from the river and within the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, including the Lowan Conservation Park.

Bowhill is located in the local government area of District Council of Karoonda East Murray, the state electoral district of Hammond and the federal Division of Barker.

[6][5][1] The nearest crossings of the Murray River are the Mannum ferry 30 kilometres (19 mi) downstream and the Purnong ferry 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) by road upstream.

[1] The dominant industries in the district are cereal grain and sheep farming.