Introducing Echuca
Echuca, which means ‘the meeting of the waters’, is where the Goulburn and Campaspe Rivers join the Murray River. The ‘world’s paddle-steamer capital’, it’s also one of the state’s major tourism centres, 2½ hours’ drive from Melbourne, popular for water skiing, paddle-steamer cruises, swimming and houseboat holidays. Whilst undeniably touristy, the town has an authentic charm to it as well as several serious restaurants and gourmet delis for the travelling gastronome.
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The town was founded in 1853 by ex-convict Harry Hopwood. At the peak of the river-boat era there were more than 100 paddle steamers plying the water between Echuca and outback sheep stations. The Melbourne–Echuca railway line opened in 1864 and within a decade the boom years of the river-boat trade had ended.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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