Historic... ECHUCA
The old inland port of Echuca has undergone a very defining facelift in recent years. Down by the paddlesteamer wharves on the Murray River a tourist precinct has been established - and the makeover offers a heritage insight into the bustling, industrious days of the late 1800s. The port that lay silent through much of the 20th Century, when it was almost deserted and the old wooden hulls lay rotting at the wharves, now echoes to the sound of cheerful tourists and authentic working displays..
And, after a long drought, the rains and floods of early 2011 have brought river to life again. It's definitely worth a trip.
The Murray River has always, in recorded history, been subject to the vagaries of Australia's fickle weather patterns - in particular the regular droughts which forced river trade to cease for lengthy periods. This was a blow to the development of Australia's vast inland regions and inflicted great hardship upon pioneering farmers trying to tame the inhospitable land. But when the river flowed it was a convenient, if lengthy, watery highway for wool, wheat and timber exports downstream from Echuca, as well as its tributary the Darling. Manufactured goods came upstream from the port at Adelaide, and passengers used the shallow-draughted river vessels in both directions.
Delving into the history of Murray River trade is fascinating and several books on the subject are available in town.
The railway from Melbourne eventually came to Echuca: it spelled the demise of river trade and the business district of Echuca moved south, where it remains today.
The port precinct has has become a destination in its own right - you simply should not come to Echuca without visiting! Paddlesteamers now carry tourists instead of wool, and with their wooden hulls and venerable steam-powered machinery restored, they make for a wonderful trip on the Murray - make sure you get lunch or afternoon tea on board, and have a close look at the old engines.
Around the corner from the port, in High Street, many 150 year-old two storey shops and pubs have been saved from the redeveloper’s jackhammer. With their broad corrugated-iron verandahs and ornate supporting posts, they evoke images of a bygone era. Shopkeepers have retained the age-old values of serving weary travellers with good food and drink, and when you stroll past cafes and restaurants a little indulgence is hard to resist.
Another reminder of a past era is the old port brothel, a small wooden building that no doubt saw many enthusiastic visitors - mainly the crews from the paddlesteamers, according to some history books. These days, as a museum with limited opening times, it still receives paying customers.
Echuca’s wharf area is the perfect place to explore on foot so park the car and put your walking shoes on. Book your paddlesteamer ride! There are good places to eat around High Street and the port area, including a number of excellent pubs and Oscar W's on the river's edge.
From vintage paddlesteamer trips on the Murray to beautiful green golf courses, Echuca makes a good regional base. You can hire a smal boat, explore the wildlife from the boardwalk at Horseshoe Lagoon, the weekend minature train ride at Moama, or picnic by the river. In the historic wharf area you can watch a blacksmith at work, woodturners, furniture makers, enjoy Devonshire tea at the Star Hotel or dinner at Oscar W's. Kids will love the horse and cart ride, or the stagecoach, trained cockatoos, and the old fashioned games at Sharp's Penny Arcade.
Again, we recommend a paddlesteamer ride on the Murray - if you do nothing else, don't miss this. They leave the wharves several times a day so you have no excuses.
Getting there: Echuca is 210 km north of Melbourne on the Hume Freeway/Northern Highway – about 2½ hours drive.
STAY THE WEEKEND AT:
Clocktower Apartments. Restored, well-converted historic post office, luxury ensuite rooms, off-street parking, walk to historic wharf and restaurants. Mobile 0412 822 083
