Explore Echuca Moama - See, Eat and Stay!

By Cruising With Honey - 21:52

Explore Echuca Moama - See, Eat and Stay

Dreaming of a country escape where delightful charm meets contemporary cuisine? Somewhere you can escape the city buzz and be immersed in the serenity of nature?

I’ve found just the place that will rejuvenate your soul and restore your faith in humankind.

WATCH MY DAY IN ECHUCA MOAMA HERE

Welcome to Echuca Moama, the twin towns just north of Melbourne, Victoria and lying right on the Murray River.

At first glance, this region is similar to so many country towns in Australia, but scratch the surface and you’ll uncover a gem you’ll want to visit again and again.

My 3-day Weekend Guide to Echuca Moama

Three days might not sound long enough to see all Echuca Moama has to offer, but you’d be surprised how much you can actually fit in! Here’s my guide to some of the wonderful experiences you too can discover.

Step back in time

Echuca Moama has a fascinating history peppered with resilience, enterprise and a spirit of innovation. Did you know Echuca was founded by an ex-convict and it grew into Australia’s largest inland port?

Start your day walking down the Murray Esplanade. Your first stop should be at the Information Centre where friendly staff will guide you on all the places you can visit. Take your time to have a chat and take some brochures.

As you make your way down the strip, wander into the interesting shopfronts. I particularly loved the Whistlestop and meeting the talented Glenda Cornell whose stunning paintings captivated me.

A few steps away, the Echuca Blacksmiths were busy transforming hot metal into gorgeous roses, a unique and almost lost artform.

The bustling Discovery Centre is the perfect place to get an insight into what life was like in the 1800s. Make your way out the back and check out working steam engines of the paddlesteamers that still cruise daily from the wharf.

Look out for the horse drawn carriages and jump aboard for a fun tour around the port and High Street.

Tantalise The Tastebuds

From chic cafes to rustic bakeries, old fashioned ice cream shops and upscale restaurants, you won’t go hungry in Echuca.

I love a good Aussie pie and Beechworth Bakery has a huge selection of savouries and sweets to fill your tum. Honey tip: Try the Country Chicken pie that has the flakiest pastry and is jam-packed with flavour. The coffee was very good as well.

For the sweet tooths, do not pass the Echuca Chocolate Company without sampling their yummy chocolates and taking home a box of their handmade yummies. Honey tip: Sample their liqueurs – decadent and delicious.

Lunch and breakfast options are plentiful, including Fuzion Café where breakfast is served all day. I wish I had more time to try Opa a Greek restaurant on High St that boasts authentic dishes ( next time for sure).

If you love Honey (not me, but that sweet bee nectar) pay the lovely Leanne and Brad from My Dad’s Honey on the wharf. They serve an extensice café menu and offer an array of honey products. Honey tip: Grab a bag of the lozenges, they’re perfect for sore, dry throats.

If you’re looking for something a little different for dinner, The Mill is a great place to try if you want to sample dishes from several cuisines. Touted as a contemporary bar and restaurant, the ambience in The Mill is sublime and full of historical touches.

Add friendly staff and interesting plates and your guaranteed a lovely evening. From Indian Sev Puri to Thai Fish Cakes, Japanese Pancakes and Beef Rendang, the menu is bursting with diverse flavours. Honey tip: order several small and large plates and share family style. The Prawn Spring Rolls are a standout.

What to do

A visit to Echuca is not complete without a cruise in the famous paddlesteamers. I was fortunate to have a 3-night adventure with Murray River Paddle Steamers on the charming Emmylou.

READ MY BLOGS BELOW

DAY 1 ON BOARD EMMYLOU

Day 2 ON BOARD EMMYLOU

DAY 3 ONBOARD EMMYLOU

BOOK YOUR MURRAY RIVER PADDLESTEAMER CRUISE HERE

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Save 10% on all departures from June 1st 2024 to May 2025

PLUS $100 bar credit

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If you haven’t got time for a multi-day cruise, Murray River Paddle Steamers offers daily 1-hour sightseeing tours and lunch and dinner experiences aboard their other paddleboats.

Honey tip: Take the whole family, especially the kids on a sightseeing tour. They’ll be fascinated by the steam engine and paddle wheel.

The Moama Bowling Club is large, modern club with an impressive bowling green. Try your hand at barefoot bowls! There are several eateries inside, including The Bistro.

If wineries are your tipple, head out Cape Horn. This gorgeous property has the most stunning Murray River backdrop and offers a great accommodation.

Where to Stay

There are so many hotels and motels to stay in Echuca ranging from boutique to larger properties. Honey tip: book early if you’re planning on visiting during the school holidays or long weekend.

The property has a swimming pool and breakfast between 7 am – 9am for an additional fee. The 4-star hotel is in a handy location close to the main shops and train station.

I was hosted at the Mercure in a Deluxe King Room, which features a King bed, sofa, modern bathroom with a large bath tub.

Breathe in the country air

While I’ve only scratched the surface, what I did uncover was that the beauty of Echuca Moama really lies in the heart of the locals. Living in Sydney, people just don’t have the time for a friendly chat, a yarn to share or just a simple smile and g’day. You’ll find this all in Echuca Moama.

So take a break from the big smoke, slow down and breathe in the country air, sit by the Murray River and look up at the mighty gum trees. Revel in the natural beauty of Australia and enjoy our backyard.

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The Tales of Perricoota and Torrumbarry Weir - Day 3 Murray River Paddlesteamers

By Cruising With Honey - 20:49

Day 3 aboard Emmylou Murray River Paddlesteamers

The Tale of Perricoota Station

So much of Australia’s colonial history is steeped in lore and the stories of early settlers working the inhospitable land with hard yakka and a determined entrepreneurial spirit.

WATCH THE REEL HERE

Perricoota Station, on the Moama side of the Murray, has a tale as deep as the river. A story of James Maiden who in 1843 settled the land and had the ingenious idea to set up a punt to travel between Moama and Echuca – charging people for the privilege. There's a dark side as well, but I'll leave that for you, the reader, to explore.

These days, the property has evolved, but the main homestead still stands. The impressive mansion has 10 bedrooms and four bathrooms, and now the private residence of the new owners.

Perricoota Station also features the original packing shed (renovated into a restaurant/reception room) and stables that are now used as a wedding chapel.

Skipper Richard took us on a tour of the property and shared the fascinating history as we walked past the grand residence, school house and took a peek inside the renovated stables. The property is very well taken care and the variety of flora – including pepper trees – was charming. It’s no wonder Perricoota is a popular wedding location.

A 3-hour Cruise to Torrumbarry Weir

As we left Perricoota it really felt like we were on the home stretch, and I yearned for the time to slow down. Was there really only one night left?

Skipper had promised that I’d have the chance to drive Emmylou, and true to his word, as we made our way towards the final destination, I had

the opportunity to get behind the big wheel and manoeuvre the beautiful old paddlesteamer. How many people can say that?! What a fun experience. And, as you can guess, I most definitely pulled the whistle.

WATCH THE REEL HERE

After three hours, we arrived at our final stop of Torrumbarry Weir and guests were taken on a tour of the weir and the lock system.

A Final Emmylou Feast

For our final dinner, Host Julie pulled out the fancy linen and set up one long table for the guests to dine all together in the saloon. It was a fitting setting for our last night aboard Emmylou.

As the sun set and the shooting stars cut a path across the night sky, I counted my many blessings.

This experience aboard Emmylou opened my eyes to life on the Murray River and the deep history of the area. It was a privilege to travel on a paddle steamer, something I’d never thought about before, but now feel fortunate to have been a passenger on this type of vessel.

Over the three days, I gained so many treasured memories and for many years to come, I'll reminisce and smile wistfully about my time aboard PS Emmylou.

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Exploring the Murray River and Beyond - Day 2 Murray River Paddlesteamers

By Cruising With Honey - 18:28

Day 2 - PS Emmylou Murray River Paddlesteamers - Echuca

Breaking fast

I’m not a huge breakfast person, but whenever I’m on a cruise, I always make time for a sit down meal and take my time to get the day started in an unhurried manner.

And that’s exactly how Day 2 aboard Emmylou kicked off.

Before retiring the night before, the super lovely Host Julie was happy to take my order at night or I could decide in the morning. I knew I wouldn't know what I felt like until the next day, so I opted for the latter.

On getting up and heading to the Saloon (the main dining area) I filled out my little order slip, but as always, my eyes eat more than my stomach.

Ham and Cheese croissant? Check. Tomato, spinach, bacon? Check, check, check. Hash brown? CHECKITY- CHECK! It was all very tempting. While chef was cooking up my order, Julie handed me a latte. Bliss! The service, quality of food and the friendliness was superb.

WATCH DAY 2 VIDEO

I’d be remiss not to mention, that less than 24 hours into my 3-day cruise, the stand out is the crew. These hard-working men and women are such an asset to the company, and their knowledge, attentiveness and friendliness ensures all passengers are looked after.

Off to see the sights and taste the delights of of Echuca

Having moored overnight in Layfield Lane, a coach was waiting on the property to take guests out for a day of excursions. Warren or Wazza as he is affectionately know is the Great All Rounder and not only was the entertainer last night, but also coach driver AND one of the Skippers for Murray River Paddlesteamers.

Wazza drove the coach back to Echuca to board another paddle steamer in the fleet, the PS Canberra for a scenic cruise from Riverboat Dock.

The Canberra does multiple daily 1-hour cruises that are super popular with tourists and locals alike. Young and old were thoroughly entertained by the colourful commentary by Skipper Beth.

Now, here’s a little tip. Down at the port, before boarding the paddlesteamers and among all the stunning redwood gumtrees is the flood level tree. WOW!

It’s quite remarkable to see that while the Mighty Murray is the source of life and livelihood, it has and can have a devastating effect to the towns. It’s a reminder that while we think, as humans, we can try to control our surroundings, nature has the ultimate power and we need to work in harmony.

50,000 pieces and growing

]Next stop was The Great Aussie Beer Shed. A museum of sorts that houses more than 50,000 pieces of Aussie memorabilia. Run by the colourful and passionate local Neil Thomas, the Shed houses a collection of beer paraphernalia, WWI War keepsakes, cars, carriages and so much more. It was rather overwhelming but also very interesting.

It always fascinates me when I meet collectors and I try to understand what fuels their passion. Having had the pleasure to chat with Neil, his effort over last four decades to curate the Beer Shed stems from a combination of Aussie pride and the love for this father. It was quite touching, if I’m to be honest, and I really hope that on day his legacy will continue.

Tasting a drop at St Anne's

The final stop for the day was St Anne’s Winery.

A pretty spot where I could have quite happily sat on the grass with a platter of cheese and a glass of red wine for hours.

I didn’t have much time to sample all the wines as it was very busy – and again tourists had flooded Echuca for the Easter weekend – but as luck would have, I found out later that evening that there was a nice selection of St Anne’s wines on board Emmylou.

WATCH MORE OF DAY 2 VIDEO

River life for miles and miles

It was great to be back on board. Emmylou has a rustic charm that is so welcoming - and there was lunch waiting. I hadn’t sampled the meat from the campfire the day earlier ( I was fasting for Good Friday) and I sheepishly asked Chef Greg for a hot roll with the leftover pulled beef. Naturally he obliged and It. Was. So. Good!

For the next 5 hours we travelled down at a leisurely pace. I visited the Wheelhouse and Skipper Richard several times to soak in the ever-changing scenery from the best vantage point on the boat. I loved the casual nature of just sitting with Skipper having a yarn. All guests are welcome to visit the Wheelhouse ( as long as the door is open which is most of the time, except during docking).

As Day 2 came to a close, I realised just how much I really love river life. Cruising at this pace is so soothing to the soul. I also might have mentioned at least eleventy-hundred times just how much I love gum trees. Each tree is unique and has a spirit and an eons-old story. I do love Australia and know my privilege of being born in this wonderful country.

I only had one more day on the Mighty Murray and I was going to appreciate every single moment on this magical adventure.

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Murray River Paddlesteamers

All Aboard Emmylou - Day 1 Murray River Paddlesteamers

By Cruising With Honey - 22:00

All aboard Emmylou

The rhythm of the paddle as it churned the Murray River water matched my heart beat. A comforting pace, cadenced and punctured only by the iconic sound of the steam whistle.

This was the Murray I had been hoping for and the next three nights aboard the PS Emmylou were bound to be a memorable and relaxing journey.

Early start and seamless connections

Did I really get up at 3:30am? Yes and it only took three alarms to rouse me. I had an early 6 am flight to Melbourne which meant arriving at Sydney airport at 5am. Then, a short bus trip to Southern Cross Station where I boarded the VLine train.

The 3 hour trip was quite relaxing, almost too relaxing as I did nod off a few times during the ride to Echuca. My one tip with any mode of transport when you’re sitting for an extended time is to bring something warm to wrap around yourself. It just makes things a lot more pleasant.

A step back in time - Welcome to Echuca

I stood there at the top of Echuca in the blazing sun. A faint clip-clop gradually grew louder, and there, right next to me was an old-fashioned coach pulled by two beautiful horses.

The live music at the local hotel carried down the dirt road as I weaved in and out of galleries, the Discovery Centre, the blacksmith and cafes.

Walking further to the main street, I explored antique shops, boutiques, bakeries and other quaint establishments. The people were friendly and welcoming and I only wished I had three stomachs to sample something at all the enticing eateries.

The iconic whistle – All aboard!

WATCH MY BOARDING VIDEO

As I walked down the timber gangway towards the PS Emmylou, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. The boat slightly bobbed at the pier, the nostalgia of a bygone era filled the air. Skipper Richard welcomed me on board and showed me to my ‘home’ for the next three days.

Unsurprisingly, the cruise was sold out with every cabin occupied. The PS Emmylou has 8 cabins ranging from largest Queen Suite (1), Upper Deck Queen Cabin (2) and Upper Deck Double Cabin (2), Upper Deck Twin Cabin (2) and Main Deck Queen Cabin (1). The Main Deck Queen cabin is best for passengers with mobility challenges.

The Queen suite at the very front of the boat was double the size of the other accommodation options and opened up to uninterrupted views.

Before setting sail, Skipper Richard greeted all passengers, explained safety procedures and how the meals work. I knew that the meals would be special when Chef informed us everything would be made to order. Talk about personal service.

Off we go down (or was it up?) the river

With another blast of the whistle, the Emmylou left the port of Echuca. It felt exciting to be on a vessel powered by steam and tradition on a river that has been the lifeblood for generations of families.

WATCH MY SET SAIL VIDEO HERE

Devouring freshly baked scones, I sat and watched the campers on the riverbanks, the kids on their waterskis and boatfuls of happy groups, laughter and joy filling the air.

And, in what would become a recurring them, the universal sign ‘sound the whistle’ made by young and old as Emmylou chugged along the water and then a burst of cheers when the skipper obliged. This iconic whistle of the paddlesteamer whistle is the soundtrack of the Murray and Echuca Moama and can be heard for quite a distance.

Give me a campfire and a good ol’ fashioned sing-a-long

The smell of the campfire warmed the air as I stepped off Emmylou.

WATCH DINNER AT LAYFIELD LANE

Tonight we would be dining under the stars at Layfield Lane. The crew had set up camp and Host Julie had decorated the rustic dinner setting with candles, flowers and quirky plates. Chef was hard at work cooking a mound of meats and seafood.

But the night wasn’t over yet! Armed with his guitar and harmonica, Warren strummed and sang campfire classics until the stars twinkled in the deep velvet sky.

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Murray River Paddlesteamers

Cruising with Murray River Paddlesteamers

By Cruising With Honey - 13:36

Let's cruise on a wood-fired paddle steamer - Murray River Paddlesteamers' PS Emmylou

Large ocean ships, boutique expedition vessels and luxury liners – I’ve been on many different styles of boats and they all share some similarities.

Tomorrow, however, I can say with complete certainty, that I’ll be embarking on a cruise that is so unique, that I have absolutely no idea what to expect.

Introducing the Murray River Paddlesteamers', the PS Emmylou. The only wood-fired paddle steamer in the world that offers accommodated river cruises.

If the words ‘paddle steamer’ and ‘Murray River’ immediately transports you to a bygone era of Australiana, you’re not the only one.

When I first was made aware of this cruise, it unlocked a childhood memory of watching the iconic Australian TV series, All The Rivers Run Dry. The beautiful Sigrid Thornton as Philadelphia, a young woman exploring love and adventure in the rugged and stunning outback, living in Echuca and traveling on a paddle steamer along the Murray River.

As a young girl living in Sydney Suburbia, it all was very romantic - and my first exposure to regional Australia. It was so foreign, and yet drew me to its charm. I am embarrassed to admit, that with all my travels, I’ve yet to cruise the Murray River nor visit the historic port city of Echuca. I have a feeling, this journey will be one of those life changing moments.

Meet PS Emmylou - the last surviving wood-fired paddle steamer

Over the last year, I have been inundated with requests from my followers to cruise aboard Emmylou, and as I mentioned above, my limited knowledge was from a TV show. So, I decided to find out more. I've always yearned to explore more of my country and I feel a deep connection to the Aussie bush.

Built in 1980, the PS Emmylou is powered by a steam engine that was built in 1906! She’s just over 30 metres long (100ft) with a maximum speed of 8 knots. As the only wood-fired paddle steamer on the Murray River, 1 tonne of wood is used to power her every day.

There are 8 cabins with a capacity of 16 guest, plus 4 crew. I’m very fortunate to be hosted on board in the Queen Cabin, the largest suite.

Make sure you follow along during my 3-night journey to see firsthand what it’s like cruising aboard PS Emmylou.

Introducing Emmylou’s new sister, PS Australian Star – due date June 20

While I’m super excited to be cruising on the PS Emmylou this Easter weekend, Murray River Paddle Steamers is expanding their fleet.

The PS Australian Star promises to redefine river cruising, combining luxury and tradition. Featuring 19 suites that all open to the deck, the PS Australian Star has beennamed to honour the Southern Cross.

I’ll be bringing you more information as this stunning vessel ahead of her launch. Watch this space.

More to discover about Echuca Moama and the Mighty Murray

Located about 200 km north of Melbourne, the city of Echuca has a fascinating history. You’ll often see the city referred to Echuca Moama – the twin cities of the region.

Known for its pioneering past, the cities are famous for their hospitality, food and wine. And, the stunning landscape. I can’t wait to be immersed in this authentic Australian bushland and will be spending a day after my 3-night cruise aboard Emmylou to eat, drink and discover all the delights.

As the third longest navigable river in the world, and Australia’s longest river, the winding Murray River has played an integral role in commercial development and river transportation since European exploration and settlement in the 1820s.

The Murray River is also steeped in rich Aboriginal folklore and history and has deep connection to culture and Land. Aboriginal mythology tells the tale of a hunter who pursued a Murray cod that subsequently carved out the river.

Planes, trains, coaches and cars – and then a paddle steamer

The journey ahead of my 3-night cruise is quite the adventure itself.

Don’t they say that getting there is half the fun? A very early morning drive to Sydney airport, a pretty early flight to Melbourne, followed by a coach ( how good is the SkyBus) to Southern Cross Station, then a 3 hour train trip to Echuca where I’ll be met by a team member from Murray River Paddlesteamers who’ll then take me to the boat for a 4pm departure.

I’ll be documenting every step of the way, so don’t forget to follow along, live, on my Facebook page, Instagram and daily blogs on this website.

Let’s uncover the beauty, history and charm together as we voyage along the Murray River.

N.B I am being hosted as a guest of Murray River Paddlesteamers on a 3-night discovery cruise.

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