Destination Guides > Australia > Victoria > Murray River > Echuca
Echuca
In its heyday, Echuca was Australia’s largest inland port. Nowadays the historic port area has been restored along with a fleet for paddle steamers. Echuca’s heritage makes it the nicest town on the Murray and it is worth visiting if you’re in the area.
Although not as popular a fruit picking destination as Mildura, many backpackers come here to pick fruit.
Practical Information
Echuca Visitor Information Centre
2 Heygarth Street, Echuca
Tel (03) 5480 7555.
Website www.echucamoama.com
Open 9am-5pm daily
Coming & Going
V/line (tel 13 22 32) has trains to Melbourne and buses to Albury and Mildura. The train station is on Sturt Street in the town centre and V/line buses stop at both the train station and the visitor information centre on Heygarth Street.
CountryLink (tel 13 22 32) buses stop outside the tourist information centre and go to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
Hostel Accommodation
Echuca Backpackers
410-424 High Street, Echuca
Tel (03) 5480 7866
Echuca Gardens YHA Hostel
103 Mitchell Street, Echuca
Tel (03) 5480 6522
Sights
Most of Echuca’s attractions are centred on the river and the historic port. It’s free to wander around the historic streets near the port and several companies, including the Port of Echuca, operate paddle steamer cruises on the Murray.
Historic Port of Echuca
Echuca’s historic port features a huge red gum wharf with a multitude of paddle steamers including PS Adelaide, the world’s oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer; PS Pevensey and PS Alexander Arbuthnot, the last paddle steamer built during the Murray River’s heyday. Apart from the boats, which make regular cruises, the historic port is home to numerous heritage buildings, many that can be seen for free before going through the entrance gates, although you need to pay to see the boats, the Wharf Shed Museum and the wharf.
52 Murray Esplanade, Echuca
Tel (03) 5482 4248
Website www.portofechuca.org.au
Admission $12 ($10.50 students); $27.20 ($22 students) including steamer cruise
Open 9am-5pm daily
National Holden Motor Museum
This collection of restored Holden cars includes some rare models, but it’s only really of interest to enthusiasts.
7-11 Warren Street, Echuca
Tel (03) 5480 2033
Website www.holdenmuseum.com.au
Admission $6
Open 9am-5pm daily
Pride of the Murray & PS Emmylou
Other paddle steamers include the PS Emmylou and Pride of the Murray, which run several cruises each day.
57 Murray Esplanade, Echuca
Tel (03) 5482 5244
Website www.emmylou.com.au
One hour cruise $17.50-20
Cruises depart 9.45am, 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm & 4pm
