On the tranquil banks of the Murray River and the Campaspe River in Victoria, Australia, lies the little town of Echuca. In the Shire of Campaspe, Echuca is the largest settlement as well as the administrative centre, making this old city a prominent one even in the modern times.
The beautiful and strategic location of the town of Echuca made it one of the most developed cities in the 19th century. Its significance was greatly crafted by the fact that it was quite easy to access the city of Melbourne as the closest point of the Murray. Hence the city thrived as a river port city and much development and activity was greatly to be witnessed here within its borders.
Founded in the year 1850 by the ex-convict, Henry Hopwood, the settlement saw the happy unison of the Aborigines and foreign settlers for many long years. By the 1870’s the city of Echuca was known to be the largest inland port of Australia. The city was both a railway junction as well as a river port back in the day, where wool, wheat, livestock and timber were frequently transported. The wharf here has also been listed on the Australian National Heritage List as a Heritage Place.
The world’s largest Paddle Steamer collection can be found here in The Port, which includes the PS Adelaide built in the year 1866, which is the world’s oldest operating wooden hulled paddle steamer. Many historic vessels still operate in Echuca including PS Pevensey, PS Alexander Arbuthnot, PS Emmylou, PS Canberra and PV Pride of Murray.
Echuca is illuminated by many festivals that lend much colour to the life of those who call the place their home. The Southern 80 water-ski race, the Riverboats Music Festival and the Jazz Food & Wine Festival delight crowds in February while in the month of June the Rotary Steam Horse & Vintage Rally is held. In December the Red Cross Murray Marathon also takes its dazzling shape.
A visit to Echuca can be arranged to witness the glory of the present day as well as the past to be found on the soils of this old city. The Citadines on Bourke Melbourne offers the best of Melbourne serviced accommodation and can be recommended to those who wish to find opulence sublime in the city of great delights.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
