As the lady in the information centre said to me ‘Echuca is all about the Murray River’. And I would agree with that. So if you love water, particularly river water there are plenty of water activities from swimming, fishing and kayaking to riding on the paddle steamers to enjoy. Did you say paddle steamers? Sure did. So if you love water you will love visiting the historic Port of Echuca and discovering the history of this town built on the mighty Murray River. 

Where is Echuca?

Echuca is found on the Murray and Campaspe Rivers some 214 km (133 miles) north of Melbourne. The Murray River is one of the major Australian rivers that winds its way from the High Country through New South Wales and Victoria and into South Australia. The river has been the lifeblood of many towns built along it including Echuca and Moama.

How to Get to Echuca

Echuca can be reached from a number of Victorian towns like Bendigo if you are travelling around North-Eastern Victoria. One of the best ways is to drive the Northern Highway taking you from the Hume Highway at Kilmore to Echuca. This will take about 2.5 hours depending on how many stops you make. It took me all day to drive from Melbourne to Echuca as I stopped in every town along the Northern Highway. If you don’t have a car your other option is to get to Echuca by train. There is a V/Line train that leaves from Southern Cross Station and arrives at Echuca Station taking some 3.5 hours. Get details on the ptv website.

Where to Stay in Echuca

Echuca has loads of accommodation available ranging from camping grounds to hotels. One of the best places to stay is in the camping grounds along the river. If you don’t want to camp in your tent or caravan there are other options. Renting a house boat for your stay would be great fun. I didn’t realise I could stay on one until I arrived in Echuca and saw the signs so I stayed in a budget friendly hotel room at the Philadelphia Inn on The Northern Highway. It was very comfortable and a short drive to the Port of Echuca. Check out options at Booking.com.

How Long to Spend in Echuca

I think spend at least 2 days in Echuca as you will spend one day around the historic Port of Echuca and the second day there are other things away from the port to see and do. 

How did Echuca get its Name?

The name Echuca is derived from an Aboriginal term meaning “meeting of the waters,” from the city’s location at the junction of the Murray and Campaspe rivers. It was founded in 1847 as a ferrying point for this reason. And in the 1850s, it was one of Victoria’s largest inland river ports handling wool, wheat, timber and even people up and down the river.

What to See and Do in Echuca

As Echuca is all about the Murray River the first place to head is to the historic Port of Echuca.

Port of Echuca

Port of Echuca

The Port of Echuca is a living monument to the riverboat trade of the 1870s. The historic Port of Echuca area has a number of essential places to visit. You don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy the area as there are activities and interests for people of all ages visiting Echuca. My kids loved visiting Echuca so if you are looking for a family friendly Victorian town to visit, well, I can vouch that this town on the river is a great place to visit with kids of all ages.

Within the Port of Echuca there are many old historic buildings so definitely walk up and down the street checking out the facades and the stores within them. Or perhaps travel back to a bygone era and absorb some Australian history on a horse and carriage ride along the surrounding streets. 

Within this stretch you will also find the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, Echuca Historical Society Museum and the Echuca Wharf. And at the Echuca Wharf is where you find the biggest Echuca attraction – the paddle steamers. 

Port of Echuca Discovery Centre

Your first stop could be the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre. It was closed when I visited as it was having a new timber floor installed. If open, I would have discovered Echuca’s vibrant past as a lively river port. And also seen exhibits on the paddle steamers that once navigated the Murray River. And they still do, by taking visitors to Echuca on paddle steamer rides along the Murray River rather than produce.

Echuca Wharf

Port of Echuca wharf from paddle steamer

Have a walk around the Echuca Wharf and see the original Echuca Rail Station that would bring and take produce to and from the wharf. You will get great views of the Murray River from the wharf. Both up and down the river and across the river to Echuca’s twin town in New South Wales – Moama. The day I was there a lady was setting up white chairs for a wedding to occur on the wharf that afternoon.

Under wharf looking out to the Murray River and the paddle steamer I was about to board

Paddle Steamer Ride on the Murray River

It is not hard to see the paddle steamers moored along the Murray River near Echuca Wharf. The riverboat trade exploded in the 1860s and by 1872 the Port of Echuca was clearing 240 boats annually. The riverboats were vital in opening up trade between the states. With all this activity, the Port of Echuca was also the second largest port in Victoria (behind Port Melbourne) and the largest inland port in Australia.

Today a number of the original paddle steamers continue to operate in Echuca. And the best way to discover the Murray River is on one of these paddle steamers. The ride lasts about 1 hour and takes you up and down a small portion of the river. Kids of all ages will love it.

onboard a paddle steamer – water brown after recent rain

heading towards the bridge connecting Echuca and its twin sister town – Moama in NSW

Echuca Historical Society Museum

If you want to learn more about Echuca head across to Dickson Street and visit the Echuca Historical Society Museum. It’s well worth a visit to see the exhibits on the town’s early settlers including a replica of a pioneer cottage.

Grab a bite to eat on High Street

If you spent your time at the historic Port of Echuca enjoying the wharf and going on a paddle steamers you may be hungry. Lucky for you, one street back from the Port of Echuca is the main road in Echuca and there are plenty of eateries to grab a meal. From an ice cream to a main meal, there are plenty of options.

Other Things to See and Do in Echuca

Enjoy the Water

As I said in the beginning after hearing it from the lady in the information centre, Echuca is all about the water, particularly the Murray River and the Campaspe River. So why not hit the water in a kayak or boat and enjoy some water sports. Perhaps walk along its banks on one of the many walking tracks. Maybe sit on the bank and fish or just watch the river moving by.

Visit Moama

Moama is just across the Murray River from Echuca and is connected by a couple of bridges. Moama is all about the river also and there are parks and the Moama beach to enjoy. Maybe check out the watertank art which is often visited as part of the North East Victoria Silo Art trail. Get a bit of shopping in and enjoy a pie from the Moama Bakery like I did.

Enjoy a pie at the Moama Bakery

Great Aussie Beer Shed

Beer drinkers rejoice at the Great Aussie Beer Shed. At this unique attraction you can learn about the history of beer in Australia and see a large collection of beer cans and bottles from around the world. Get more details and opening times at the Great Aussie Beer Shed website.

Big Beer at the Great Aussie Beer Shed

Are You Ready to Discover Echuca?

Whether you’re traveling by car or public transport, Echuca offers visitors a rich history, natural beauty, and abundance of recreational water activities, particularly the paddle steamers. Have you been to Echuca?