History of Echuca & Moama

Echuca (Victoria) & Moama (NSW) is known as the paddlesteamer capital of Australia. It’s an ideal holiday destination only 206km or two and an half hours north of Melbourne. With so much to choose from you’ll always be on the go. Travel on a paddlesteamer, hire a houseboat, go waterskiing, fishing, canoeing or swimming. Experience the rich history or have a ball with today’s exciting attractions. You can also absorb the incredible beauty of nature with magnificent red gum forests, wetlands and parks. There’s shopping, great restaurants, gorgeous cafes and all sorts of accommodation to suit everyone's needs. Echuca Moama has a wonderful climate and really is sensational all year round.

Founded in 1853, Echuca became the largest inland port in Australia, second only to the Port of Melbourne. Like many bustling and successful towns for its time breweries and brothels boomed. A combination of wealth with the finest of fashions and bare-knuckle fights lasting for hours. As the stories go you could also catch a cod as big as a man. The town became the trading hub from as far as Queensland, utilising the Darling and Murrumbidgee Rivers to transport their wares like wool and harvests of wheat, eventually by rail to the Port of Melbourne.

The centre of Echuca during it’s heyday was the huge redgum wharf built in 1865 with restoration beginning in 1973. The historic port is now home to the largest collection of paddlesteamers in Australia. Many of them have been fully restored and offer daily cruises along with insights into a trading river from over 100 years ago. At one time it’s recorded that more than 240 boats had their wares transferred in one year. You can easily enjoy short trips, lovely lunch or dinner cruises or overnight stays on an historic paddlesteamer.

The historic Port of Echuca adjoining the wharf is a living museum. Historic buildings, horse-drawn carriages, gravel roads, blacksmith and woodturner all creating a wonderful atmosphere recreating the 1800s. There’s much to see and do in Echuca and surroundings once you’ve explored the historic port district. You can also have a riverbank picnic or drive amongst ancient redgums of the Barmah State Forest. See amazing wetlands that are home to over 200 species of waterbirds and other fauna. Excellent dining in local restaurants including the renowned Oscar W’s Wharfside, overlooking the Murray.

Visit some of the many outstanding wineries with cellar door tastings. Shop at boutique stores along Echuca’s historic High Street, which contains many historic buildings with spectacular facades. Plus a full range of accommodation choices and other stunning attractions including the popular clubs in the region. Echuca & Moama is the perfect base for a great holiday on the Murray River with its stunning Mediterranean climate and diverse holiday options. Click here for your map.

Photos courtesy: rivermurrayphotos.com