A former paddlesteamer port on the Murray River, the Victorian town of Echuca has re-invented itself as one of the most interesting inland tourist towns in Australia, whilst maintaining its position as an important local agricultural centre. Its present day attractions centre around the old port - the shops , hotels, stores and wharf that once served the river trade.
Where is it?: Victoria: Murray Valley. Echuca is 205 km north of Melbourne near the junctions of the Northern, Cobb and Murray Valley Highways. Echuca is on the Victorian side of the Murray River, which forms the border with New South Wales. It is a sister town to Moama, on the New South Wales side.
Things to see and do:
Echuca's huge 1865-built timber wharf, with its three wharf decks to accommodate the river's ever-changing water levels, is the star attraction. Here, visitors can wander over the original structure It attests to which played a critical role in the river trade that accompanied the pastoral boom of the late 19th century and brought the rapid economic growth and development of the colonies during this time, which ultimately led to Federation. Today the wharf is still operational, and among the relics from the past found within it are a blacksmith's shop with operation furnace, and the original railway station where goods were offloaded straight from trains and onto the ships that plied the Murray.
During a visit to Echuca at any time of the year, you are almost guaranteed to see at least one of the six authentic paddlesteamers based at Echuca these days tied up at the wharf. If they are not there, then they will be cruising up and down the river.
Echuca is also known for its bushwalking trails, cycling, fishing, ballooning, native wildlife reserves, forests and wetlands. They are an animal and bird watcher's paradise with rare and endangered Australian natives species. Echuca's other attractions include the Barmah Red Gum Forest, National Holden Car Museum and Murray River Reserves.
Events:
February: Echuca Jazz Festival
March: Autumn Harvest and Picnic
March: Echuca Celtic Festival
April: Rushworth Easter Festival
Cruising the Murray River
The paddlesteamers Adelaide and Pevensey are the most famous. The 135 tonne PS Pevensey was built at Moama (the NSW town on the opposite shore to Echuca) in 1911 for the Permewan Wright & Co. Ltd. After catching fire in 1932, she was rebuilt, but later fell on hard times and became a floating museum. Brought in for restoration in 1973, this great Clydesdale of the river was refloated in 1976 and began carrying passengers three years later. PS Pevensey starred as 'Philadelphia' in the international television mini-series 'All The Rivers Run'. PS Pevensey sails daily on one hour cruises up and down the Murray. Cruises depart Echuca Wharf daily at 10.15am, 11.30am, 1.15pm & 2.30pm. A 3.45pm cruise is available on weekends, public and school holidays (subject to bookings).
Built at Echuca, PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddlesteamer still operating in the World!. Used as a logging boat for 90 odd years, she left the town briefly during the 1950's but later was brought back to Echuca as a community effort in 1960. 1964 saw her lifted from the water and put to rest in Echuca's Hopwood Gardens, where she lay for 20 years. However, in 1980 restoration commenced and she was refloated in 1984.
The paddlesteamers Canberra, Pride of the River and Emmylou are also based at Echuca and are used for river cruises and special functions. The Pride of the Murray claims a proud title: of the many boats originally built in Echuca, she along with the PS Pevensey and PS Adelaide, still operate from their home Port. Today, she spends her days providing pleasure and a unique heritage experience for Echuca’s visitors, a far cry from her original purpose as a barge. Come aboard The Pride Of The Murray and listen to the gentle splashing of the paddle wheels as you enjoy a relaxing cruise on the mighty Murray River.
Cruises on PS Canberra, that was built in 1912, heralded the start of Echuca’s riverboat tourism. Fully restored in 2003, she is driven by a superb 1923 wood-fired Marshall compound steam engine.
P.S. Emmylou is a relative newcomer, having been built locally during 1980-82 in the style of the 19th century paddleboats. Driven by a completely restored 1906 steam engine, PS Emmylou is perfectly at home in the Port of Echuca, residing with some of the few remaining paddlesteamers of the past. She is 30 metres long and 10 metres wide, steel hulled and timber decked.
The Emmylou is in fact the only wood-fired paddlesteamer in the world offering regular overnight cruising. Fuelled by redgum logs and named after US country and western singer Emmylou Harris, the paddlesteamer offers modern convenience and some old-world charm.
Echuca is also home to a large fleet of houseboats of a variety of sizes, which are hired for anything from a weekend to a few weeks by families or groups of friends seeking the peace and tranquilly that a cruise and and down the Murray can bring.
