Situated on the Victorian side of the Murray River, Echuca is Australia’s most iconic former paddlesteamer port. Its position at the closest point of the Murray River to Melbourne contributed to its development as a thriving river port city during the 19th century.
Echuca was founded by one of the most enterprising figures of Australia’s early colonial period, an ex-convict named Henry Hopwood. In 1850 he purchased a small punt to ferry people and goods across the Murray River near the Campaspe junction. By the 1870s Echuca had risen to prominence as Australia's largest inland port.
Echuca was not just a key river port but also an important railway junction. Its huge 1865-built timber wharf, with its three wharf decks to accommodate the river's ever-changing water levels, was the hub of the town’s business activities. Steam-driven paddleboats would arrive at the 332-metre long redgum wharf, their cargoes were unloaded by hydraulic cranes directly onto to goods wagons lined up on the wharf’s own railway station. The goods were then transported by rail to Melbourne. Wool, wheat, other grains, livestock, and timber were the most common commodities transported to Echuca.
The expansion of the railways from Melbourne to most parts of Victoria, as well as improvements to roads and fickle river conditions all combined to lessen Echuca's importance, and by the 1890s the paddlesteamer fleet was in decline. An economic depression and the collapse of several banks virtually ended Echuca's role as a major economic centre, and its population began to disperse.
The town has re-invented itself as one of the most interesting inland tourist towns in Australia, whilst maintaining its position as an important local agricultural centre. Its present day attractions centre around the old port – the shops, hotels, stores and wharf that once served the river trade. The wharf is still operational, and among the relics from the past found within it are a blacksmith's shop with operation furnace, and the original railway station.
Echuca's huge 1865-built timber wharf, with its three wharf decks to accommodate the river's ever-changing water levels, is still the star attraction. Here, visitors can wander over the original structure. The wharf is still operational, and among the relics from the past found within it are a blacksmith's shop with operation furnace, and the original railway station where goods were offloaded straight from trains and onto the ships that plied the Murray.
During a visit to Echuca at any time of the year, you are almost guaranteed to see at least one of the six authentic paddlesteamers based at Echuca these days tied up at the wharf. If they are not there, then they will be cruising up and down the river.
The paddlesteamers Adelaide and Pevensey are the most famous. The 135 tonne PS Pevensey was built at Moama (the NSW town on the opposite shore to Echuca) in 1911 for the Permewan Wright & Co. Ltd. After catching fire in 1932, she was rebuilt, but later fell on hard times and became a floating museum. Brought in for restoration in 1973, this great Clydesdale of the river was refloated in 1976 and began carrying passengers three years later. PS Pevensey starred as 'Philadelphia' in the international television mini-series 'All The Rivers Run'. PS Pevensey sails daily on one hour cruises up and down the Murray.
Built at Echuca, PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddlesteamer still operating in the World. Used as a logging boat for 90 odd years, she left the town briefly during the 1950's but later was brought back to Echuca as a community effort in 1960. 1964 saw her lifted from the water and put to rest in Echuca's Hopwood Gardens, where she lay for 20 years. However, in 1980 restoration commenced and she was refloated in 1984.
The paddlesteamers Canberra, Pride of the River and Emmylou are also based at Echuca and are used for river cruises and special functions. The Pride of the Murray claims a proud title: of the many boats originally built in Echuca, she along with the PS Pevensey and PS Adelaide, still operate from their home Port. Today, she spends her days providing pleasure and a unique heritage experience for Echuca's visitors, a far cry from her original purpose as a barge.
Echuca is also home to a large fleet of houseboats of a variety of sizes, which are hired for anything from a weekend to a few weeks by families or groups of friends seeking the peace and tranquilly that a cruise and and down the Murray can bring.
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