Things to do in Echuca
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Aus-Air
Take to the air with Aus-Air, which offers all sorts of fun trips over the rivers. Air Nostalgia flies you to Echuca from Melbourne in a 1940s DC3, takes you for a cruise on an old paddle steamer, then flies you back to Melbourne.
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Left Bank
Start with a Bloody Mary oyster shooter before tucking into the crispy-skin duck with Asian greens and Madeira wine fumet, or the degustation menu. Outstanding food and service, and worth the splurge.
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National Holden Museum
One for the rev-heads, this museum is devoted to Australia’s four-wheeled icon. There’s over 40 vehicles, from FJ to Monaro, as well as racing footage and photos.
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Historic Port
The most wonderful thing about Echuca is its Historic Port. Attractions are spread along the waterfront, and you buy a passport at the entrance that admits you to the three main sections: Echuca Wharf, the Star Hotel and the Bridge Hotel. Everything is original – you’re exploring living history as you walk along the pedestrian-only Murray Esplanade. Complimentary (and very entertaining) guided tours with Buster and Rocky the cocky set out from the gift shop.
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PS Emmylou
As you enter the pedestrian-only Murray Esplanade, you can buy tickets for a cruise or to explore the historic buildings along the Esplanade. A paddle-steamer cruise along the Murray is almost obligatory, and at least four steamers offer cruises; head down to the river and check out the sailing times. PS Emmylou is a fully restored paddle steamer driven by an original engine. Overnight cruises are also available.
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Kingfisher Cruises
Magnificent Barmah Lakes offers something totally different. Head out to the visitors area where Kingfisher Cruises glides you along in a flat-bottom boat through Australia’s largest river red-gum forest and Barmah’s World Heritage–listed wetlands. Your captain points out bird and mammal species along the way. Ring for departure times and bookings.
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Historic Port of Echuca
Echuca's star attraction is the old port area, where paddle steamers dock and you really feel transported back to the heyday of the river. It's not a theme park – everything here is original.
In the wharf's cargo shed, dioramas depict life on the river boats and restored historic paddle steamers are moored alongside the wharf. Across the road at the Star Hotel (1867) you can escape through the underground tunnel that helped drinkers avoid the police when the pub was a 'sly grog shop'.
At the Bridge Hotel, built by Harry Hopwood in 1859, your ticket admits you to a historic upstairs recreation of a 19th-century home. Downstairs the Bridge is a pub and restaurant.
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Oscar W's Wharfside
The glorious location in the old port area with a terrace overlooking the Murray is unbeatable, but Oscar's really delivers with its food and service.
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Paddle Steamer Cruises
A paddle steamer cruise here is almost obligatory. Buy tickets from the port entrance or along the Esplanade, and ask for the brochure on the boats’ histories. Check out the timetable for lunch and dinner, twilight and sunset cruises. At least six paddle steamers offer cruises.
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Star Wine Bar & Café
Part of the Star Hotel, it offers snacks and light meals, and dinner at weekends. The lunchtime gourmet burgers are tempting. The moody bar has some interesting art works, with a patio at the back, and there’s a cafe at the front (High St) serving sandwiches and gourmet pies.
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Billabong Ranch
Head out to the Billabong Ranch for a fun day. There’s minigolf, pedal boats, an animal nursery, tenpin bowling, a playground, a café, bar and pony rides, amongst other things like off-road buggies ($30 per 15 minutes).
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Billabong Carriages
Breeze around the port in style in a horse-drawn coach with Billabong Carriages. Get your tickets on the coach. Love it? Then take a scenic wine tour ($65) out to Cape Horn Vineyard for the day.
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Bridge Hotel
At the Bridge Hotel, built by Harry Hopwood in 1859, your ticket admits you to a historic upstairs re-creation of a 19th-century home. Downstairs the Bridge is a pub, restaurant and coffee shop.
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Brett Sands Watersports
Several operators offer water-skiing trips and classes. Very popular is Brett Sands Watersports, which will teach you skills behind a boat on skis, wake board, knee board or barefoot.
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Great Aussie Beer Shed
The Great Aussie Beer Shed is a wall-to-wall shrine to beer cans – mostly Australian – in a huge shed; it’s the result of 30 years of collecting and one dates back to Federation.
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Echuca Brewing Company
Although the boutique beer was brewed off-site when we visited, a brewery is being built here, and the bistro serves up perfect beer accompaniments – steaming mussels, steaks and pasta.
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Echuca Historical Museum
Classified by the National Trust, Echuca Historical Museum is in the old police station and lock-up. It has a collection of local history items, charts and photos.
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Air Nostalgia
Air Nostalgia flies you to Echuca from Melbourne in a 1940s DC3, takes you for a cruise on an old paddle steamer, then flies you back to Melbourne.
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Murray River Gallery
Murray River Gallery, an Aboriginal fine-art gallery, helps you read the message in each piece (art was used for story-telling in the past).
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Sharp’s Magic Movie House & Penny Arcade
This has authentic penny-arcade machines and free fudge tasting. The movie house shows old movies using original equipment. Your ticket is valid all day.
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Top of the Town
This claims to be the best fish-and-chip shop in the state. It has a good range including river fish (redfin, yellowbelly), crays and oysters.
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Black Pudding Delicatessen
This tiny cafe-deli is a great place for a lazy breakfast or light lunch if you can get a table at the front or the small courtyard at the rear. Good coffee and local produce.
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Billabong Trail Rides
For horse riding along rivers or through the bush, contact Billabong Trail Rides, which also has rides for kids and a pub ride.
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Beechworth Bakery
In a magnificent old building with wrap-around balcony and a deck overlooking the Campaspe River, this cheerful bakery prepares a high standard of breads, pies, cakes and sandwiches.
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