Port of Echuca

Located on the banks of the Murray River, the historic Port of Echuca provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience an operating steam port. Once the centre of Australia’s inland trade, paddlesteamers would bring their cargoes of wool from as far as the Queensland border, connecting at Echuca with train transport to Melbourne, where much of the wool would be exported to London. Today, you can see as many as a dozen steamers moored along the riverbank, and you can journey onboard one of the port’s three fully restored paddlesteamers that still ply the river.

Back at the wharf, you can chat to shipwrights as they continue to restore the fleet, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, watch craftsmen turning redgum or re-trace the port’s history at the Echuca Historical Museum. For a dash of intrigue, visit the Star Hotel, which features an underground bar and escape tunnel.

For more information contact the Port of Echuca on 03 5482 4248.