Echuca is brimming with charm and nostalgia, carefully preserving the history of its heyday, when paddlesteamers and trade were the lifeblood of Victoria. Echuca is an Aboriginal word from the Yorta Yorta people, meaning ‘the meeting of the waters’, because it is where the Murray, Goulburn and Darling Rivers all meet.
The Murray is the heart of this riverside town, and divides Echuca (‘Eh-choo-ka) on the Victorian side of the border from it’s twin, Moama, which is technically New South Wales. The town was established by an ex-convict by the name of Harry Hopwood, who was the first to start ferrying people and goods across the river on his punt. By the 1870s, Echuca really came into prominence as an important inland port for the movement of wool, wheat, grains, livestock and timber. It was the place of shortest distance between the Murray River and the major city of Melbourne, where goods were conveniently transferred to a rail link.
See + Do
Historic Port of Echuca
Whilst High St is the modern thoroughfare of Echuca, the historic thoroughfare of the Murray Esplanade has been preserved for tourism. Go for a short wander up here and don’t miss Sharp’s Movie House + Penny Arcade for a step back in time. Watch old black and white movies, buy homemade fudge or play with real working 1930s penny machines. Few existing around the world and here there are 50 surviving machines.
PS Emmylou
One of the best ways to explore the Murray River is on a paddlesteamer. The PS Emmylou is one of the most recognisable on the river and can be booked directly with Murray River Paddlesteamers. We opted for the 2 hour cruise, which was a perfect amount of time to soak it all in. They also offer 1 hour cruises (too short in my opinion) and cruises with dining options either on board or with a stop at Morrisons Winery. Morrisons is on the norther side of the river and technically in NSW, so worth noting this in COVID times.
There is a romance to cruising down the river at a leisurely 10km per hour, slowly passing the swaying red gum trees, yellow grassy banks and dark green waters. Find a quiet spot to take it all in on the elegant yellow deck or head inside to admire the restored 1906 stream engine, powered entirely by logs of wood. Watch puffs of steam blow out the chimney, listen to the paddle wheels splash in the water rhythmically and admire the deep whistle of the horn.
Paddle Steamers
The Emmylou isn’t the only paddlesteamer on the river and is actually one of the youngest. Whilst on board, you’ll likely pass some of the other paddlesteamers in Echuca’s fleet. Keep an eye out for the PS Adelaide which is the oldest paddlesteamer on the Murray and actually the oldest in the world, having been built in 1866. The Etona also has an interesting history, as it operated as a floating church for a time. Before the riverside towns had more permanent fixtures, a pastor and his wife conducted church services and weddings aboard the boat.
You may also see the PS Canberra, PS Alexander Arbuthnot, PS Pevensey, Pride of the Murray, PS Hero, PS Success and MV Mary Ann on the water. For those wondering what ‘PS’ and ‘MV’ means, ‘PS’ is an abbreviated term for paddle steamer and ‘MV’ is an abbreviated term for motor vehicle. It basically denotes what powers the boat in question – there you go.
Port of Echuca Discovery Centre
If you’d like to learn more about the history of Echuca, you can visit the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre. For me, it was all a bit dated, but it is well worth venturing in for the access to the heritage listed Echuca Wharf. What is interesting about this wharf is that they built a number of fixed floors, so that the boats could be loaded and boarded on one of the floors, regardless of wherever the waterline was at that moment. The three stories allow for us to 10m variation in the height of the water across Summer and Winter. In a world before floating jetties, which rise and fall on their own with the water, this was a genius move.
Horse & Carriage Ride
I take real issue with the horse and carriage rides in the city, but in the quiet town of Echuca, it seems like the environment is more fit for their comfort. That being said, I do hope the horses are well taken care of. Billabong Range have a collection of old fashioned carriages and Clydesdale horses that offer short rides to tourists. If you hop in, a ride will lead you along the Murray Esplanade, past the Bridge Hotel and up High Street, before looping back along the river.
Rochester Graincorp Silo Art
If you’re coming from Melbourne, you will pass through Rochester on the way to Echuca, so you don’t even need to detour to see these silos. The life-like paintings of the Azure Kingfisher and Squirrel Glider were completed in 2018 by Jimmy D’vate, both local to Victoria. The artist likes to paint endangered or threatened flora and fauna to raise awareness of conservation issues.
Other Ideas
We didn’t get to these as we only had one day to explore, but the Great Aussie Beer Shed and National Holden Motor Museum are both located in the Echuca region, exploring different pieces of Australian history.
Eat + Drink
Echuca Coffee Roasters
Echuca Coffee Roasters are a small independent business who roast all their beans in house, offering both blends and single origin options. This is generally a sign of good coffee, and this little spot is no exception to the rule. Even Melbourne coffee snobs will be happy, they’re just as delicious but without the city prices.
St Anne’s Winery
St Anne’s is a welcoming winery located right in the middle of the historic port area, where they offer complimentary guided tastings of their full range. There is no pressure to buy, but I couldn’t leave without a bottle of their Sparkling Shiraz. The setting is also worth taking in, with the cellar door homed in an original carriage builder’s workshop festooned with heritage barrels full of port.
The winery was established in 1872 by the McLean family and has remained family run for 40 years. Owner Richard McLean says, “The principle behind all of our St Anne’s production is that our wines are an expression of the places where we grow and make our wine… no other wines are made from the vineyards and sites where i grow grapes along the slow old river.. and i want my wines to reflect that”.
Echuca Chocolate Company
The Echuca Chocolate Company offers a range of handmade chocolates – it’s paradise for adults and kids. If you’re not yet sold, should I mention that they even have a few chocolate liqueurs available for tasting and purchase?
American Hotel
There’s nothing more appropriate than a pub lunch when in Echuca, as many of the pubs have been around since the historic town was founded. Our choice was the American Hotel, better known by the locals as ‘The Yank’, which was established back in 1865. The original building has been refurbished but maintains it’s locality with the modern use of traditional redgum and steel materials. A great spot to enjoy a parma and a pint.
Echuca Distillery
Gin is at the pinnacle of its popularity in Australia, with production booming in recent years. Echuca is no exception to this trend, with its very own distillery, A selection of flights are available for $24-26 and are accompanied by Fever Tree Tonic Water and dehydrated fruits. I opted for the Mediterranean flight which included the Hopwood’s Yuzu & Ginger Gin 40%, Maiden’s Butterfly Pea & Passionfruit Gin and Philadelphia Hibiscus Rose Gin. Co-founder and head distiller David De Vries, had a background in flavour and fragrance manufacturing, before evolving his experience with botanicals, herbs and fruit, to small-batch gin production.
Want to explore more in Victoria?
If you like Echuca, you’ll love exploring historic Castlemaine.
If you enjoy hiking, check out Wilson’s Prom.
Or how about the wine regions of The Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula?
