Echuca Paddle Steamer Emmy lou by Mattinbgn

Echuca Vic 3564 (Pop 1 400)

Echuca is a delightful historic town 232 km north of Melbourne on the NSW border. It sits at the junction of the Murray, Campaspe & Goulburn Rivers and was once Australia’s largest inland port. The Yorta-Yorta Aborigines first occupied this area and its name means 'meeting of the waters' with European settlement beginning in 1840s. As the port developed, a 1.2 km wharf was constructed from 1865 and shipbuilding, foundries & timber mills were soon substantial industries. Today tourism, manufacturing & agriculture are Echuca's economic mainstays. Riverboats, Jazz, Food & Wine Festival (Feb), Steam, Horse and Vintage Rally (June), Winter Blues Festival (July), Port of Echuca Steam Heritage Festival (Oct), Agricultural Show (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Echuca Wharf originally built in 1865 and extended until it reached 1.2 km consisting of three levels. During WWII, 80% was demolished due to timber shortages. A vintage train features a film on the port’s history. Historic Echuca includes the the Bridge Hotel (1858), Steampacket Inn (1860s), Anglican Church (1865), Star Hotel (1867) (with an underground bar & escape tunnel), Courthouse (1872), Echuca Hotel (1873), Old Brothel (1875), Shamrock Hotel (1885).

Nearby:
Torrumbarry Weir (31 km n-w) scenic bushland setting with good fishing & picnic areas. Barmah State Park (39 km n-e) combined with Barmah State Forest (a total of almost 30 000 ha) has Victoria’s largest river red gum forest. Nearby Barmah Lakes offer great fishing, swimming & canoeing and Ulupna Island has scenic river beaches and a large koala population. Each April, the Barmah Cattle Muster is held in the state forest. Mathoura (40 km north) attractive Murray town (in NSW) surrounded by red gum forests with good fishing sites (Gulpa Creek, Edward & Murray Rivers) and forest walks (Moira Forest Walkway). Nathalia (57 km east) historic town on Broken Creek with picturesque walking trails, lookouts & old homesteads.

Accommodation:
Echuca has about 20 motels, 6 hotels, B&Bs, numerous holiday apartments/cottages, 5 caravan parks and houseboats for hire. Visitor Information Centre: 2 Heygarth St. Tel (03) 5480 7555 or 1800 804 446.