Our Paddlesteamers History
History of Echuca Moama's Paddlesteamers
The Echuca Moama region is home to the world's largest operating paddlesteamer fleet, and the world's oldest operating wooden hulled paddlesteamer, the 1866 built PS Adelaide
PS Alexander Arbuthnot
The Alexander Arbuthnot was one of the last steamers built on the Murray River during the riverboat trade. She was but at Koondrook in 1923 to tow barges carrying logs from the forest to the Arbuthnot Sawmills for some years until the 1940's when she was sold to charcoal producers in the Barmah Forest. During WW2 the PS Alexander Arbuthnot lay idle and in 1947 sank at her moorings. In 1972 she was raised by a group of Shepparton volunteers. The Alexander Arbuthnot was bought by the City of Echuca in 1989 for restoration at the Port.
PS Adelaide
Built at Echuca, PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating in the world!
Built in 1866 the Adelaide was originally fitted out to accommodate passengers on the run from Echuca to Albury. In 1873 she was refitted as logging steamers and her semi circular paddle boxes were replaced by square ones. Owned by Murray River Sawmills, she towed barges to the Barmah Forest where they were loaded and drifted back downstream to Echuca. She left 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 tho rest in Echuca's Hopwood Gardens, where she lay for 20 years. However, in 1980 restoration commenced and she was recommissioned in 1985.
PS Pevensey
The PS Pevensey was originally built as a barge in 1910, and was then converted into a paddlesteamer 1911. She was built in Moama for Permewan Wright & Co, one of the largest ship owners on the river. Powered by a 20 horse power twin high pressure steam engine, the Pevensey is a large capacity cargo / two boat and was capable of carrying 120 tons in giant holds. In 1932 she was almost destroyed by fire at Koraleigh Landing below Nyah, but was rebuilt in 1933-35 at Morgan, South Australia. In 1939 she ran a regular cargo run between Morgan and Mildura before becoming redundant and being tied up at Mildura. In 1973 the Echuca City Council purchased her from the Collins brothers and steamed her back to Echuca. In 1975 she was slipped at Moama and completely restored. She now operates from the Port of Echuca and was used in the mini series 'All The Rivers Run' playing the PS Philadelphia.
PS Canberra
The PS Canberra was built in 1912 at Goolwa, South Australia as a single deck fishing steamer and then used for a short while as a light cargo boat. In the 1940's the Canberra received an upper promenade deck and was fitted our as an excursion boat, where she was operated by the Collins brothers at Mildura. Since 1967 the Canberra has operated out of Echuca and in 2003 she was fully restored and fitted with a 1923 wood fired Marshall steam engine.
PS Emmylou
The PS Emmylou was built in Echuca during 1980-82 in the style of the 19th century paddleboat and is driven by a completely restored 1906 Marshall & Sons steam engine. She is 30 metres long and 10 metres wide, steel hulled and timber decked. She is the only wood fired paddlesteamer in the world to offer regular accommodated cruises.
PS Hero
Built in Echuca in 1874 the PS Hero worked the river trade up in the Koondrook area, later moving to Boundary Bend. During her time the PS Hero has worked as a cargo steamer, a merchandise steamer, towing the logging barge "Canally'. It was while working at Boundary Bend in 1957 that the PS Hero caught fire and was badly burnt and later sank. In 1989 the Byford family purchased what remained and finally in 1998 were able to raise the hull and transport her to Echuca where she has been completely restored to first class luxury, fitted out to the finest detail. Now available for private charter, overnight accommodation, weddings, events and corporate occasions.
PS Success
The PS Success was built in Moama in June 1877 and was the last working paddle steamer to carry wool along the Darling and Murray Rivers during the floods of 1956. The PS Success spent her working days towing barges of sawn red gum, wool and other cargo along the river system as well as operating as a passenger boat from Swan Hill to Mildura during 1915-16.
The newest addition to Echuca's paddle steamer fleet, the PS Success is currently undergoing restoration at the Port of Echuca. The hull of the PS Success was purchased from the Riverboat Society in Mildura in 2009.
PS Etona
PS Etona was built in 1898 at Milang, South Australia as a missionary church steamer for the Church of England. The Etona's run was from Mannum, South Australia, where she was based up to Renmark. As churches were built in river tower she was no longer required and in 1912 she was sold to Captain Arch Conner who used her as a fishing steamer at Boundary Bend for many years. She was brought out of retirement during the 1956 floods to do trips up the Murrumbidgee River. She was eventually bought by private interests in Echuca and restoration was commenced in 1962. The privately owned Etona, now fully restored with her original steam engine, can now be seen moored along side the historic wharf at Echuca.
Our Stories
The twin towns of Echuca Moama have a wonderful community spirit.
Following is a small selection of stories from some of our local people, people who share a passion for this wonderful region and are keen to share them with you.
Some of these stories you will find below, we encourage members of the local community to share and
Michael Gould
Echuca Moama…..Why not???
“Echuca” is reputed to mean “the meeting of the waters”; for me it means the meeting of the people. For Echuca Moama people are its lifeblood. Business, trade and the residents keep it alive, interesting and welcoming; the constant stream of returning visitors, drawn by our unique Port and Paddlesteamer fleet, our top class eating venues, our excellent Clubs on both sides of the river Murray, our sporting facilities and the availability of every style of visitor accommodation, make it the place to be and to return to.
For us as residents of Echuca Moama there are many Clubs, Associations and activities to be found and enjoyed. In our immediate environment we have history, nature, wildlife parks and watersport and cultural activities catering to every age group. Add to these advantages comprehensive medical and educational facilities for our ongoing welfare and, last of all, we are only two hours away from Melbourne, the snow and the mountains in Winter and the beach in Summer, so why would you want to be or live anywhere else?
Michael Gould
Kevin Hutchinson
My name is Kevin Hutchinson and I have worked at the Port of Echuca for 35 years, in that time five paddlesteamers and two barges have been restored. I invite you to come to Echuca and see our latest project, the PS Success built in Moama in 1877, you will be able to see close up how they were built and now how they are restored and watch the progress. Echuca has the biggest collection of genuine paddlesteamers in the world, so why not come and see us, have a look, and take a ride on the real thing.
I look forward to meeting you at the Port of Echuca.
Kevin Hutchinson OAM.
Dot Hammond
Echuca is home.
Echuca is early morning sun rising from the river gums and wonderful sunsets over the western plains.
Galahs flying out at sunrise, the sun shining on their colourful plumage, screeching corellas swirling overhead, and all this again at dusk.
Winter frosts with a sunny day following.
A shower of rain after a hot dry dusty day, again the galahs put on a show and what a lovely fresh aroma.
Through all this the 2 rivers run, and returning from a long holiday is it imagination or do we note the scent of the rivers long before we actually approach them???
The perfume of coming home to Echuca
Echuca is also where we have choices
Dining out at wonderful restaurants
Shopping as good as anywhere
Clubs, sporting facilities and history to match any elsewhere
When we're unwell great health facilities, where your friends can visit easily
Schools we're spoilt for choice.
Dot Hammond
Our History
This is our story....
A story that starts with the traditional owners and custodians, and continues today with the thriving twin towns and riverside communities that call the region home.
The Murray River
A sacred place for tens of thousands of years to the Yorta Yorta people, vital in the establishment of trade between the Australian states following European settlement, and a place that runs through the blood of so many Australians, the mighty Murray River, or Dhungala to the Yorta Yorta people, is revered as one of our country's most legendary natural icons.
Winding its path across 2,600km of the Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian landscape, the Murray is one of the longest navigable rivers in the world, the lifeblood of the surrounding agricultural industry, and a place of spirituality and connection for many who visit her waters.
Yorta Yorta Country
The Yorta Yorta people are the traditional owners and custodians of the land we now call Echuca Moama. The waters of 'Dhungala' (The Murray River) are sacred to the Yorta Yorta people, with many of their beliefs, traditions and stories extending from it.
The Yorta Yorta people occupied a unique stretch of forest-wetlands that are located in what is now known as the central Murray – Goulburn region. Their lifestyle and culture was based on hunting, fishing and collecting food from the variety of food sources provided by the ancestral lands.
The Barmah-Millewa forest is a place where large communities lived. The river and the forest provided a year-round food source and resources for shelter, weapons, canoes and other equipment.
European Settlement
Echuca's development as a town is largely credited to ex-convict, Henry Hopwood, who crossed the Murray in 1853 and gained a license to occupy a parcel of land near the Murray and Campaspe River Junction. He operated a small punt across the river, and later a pontoon bridge, which catered for the increasing movement of livestock between Victoria and New South Wales. Originally known as Hopwood's Ferry, the name was changed to Echuca as the town grew.
Settlement began in Moama in 1845 and developed rapidly due to the livestock market. James Maiden established a punt across the river and the area became a thriving cattle market and crossing place. Originally named Maiden's Punt, the name was changed to Moama in 1851.
In 1853, Captain William Randell became the first person to travel upstream on a paddlesteamer from Goolwa, South Australia to Moama, arriving on the Mary Ann. This trip was the beginning of the boat building and riverboat trade era which saw the region flourish.
The Riverboat Trade
The Riverboat Trade exploded in the 1860's and when the rail link was established with Melbourne in 1864, Echuca, being the closest point on the the Murray to Melbourne, grew rapidly. Paddlesteamers traded along the Murray Darling River System, bringing wool from isolated stations in outback Australia to the railhead at Echuca, for eventual sale and shipping overseas. During the boon period, products worth a quarter of a million pounds were handled annually. For many years Echuca was the main ship building centre for the river transport industry. As the ship building industry grew, so did the demand for red gum as a durable timber for wharf piles, railway sleepers and building materials.
In the 1870’s the district supported a dozen mills cutting in excess of 1000 logs each week. Felling was carried out in the Barmah, Moira and Perricoota Forests surrounding Echuca. Before long the two industries began to rely on each other.
By 1872 the Port of Echuca was clearing 240 boats annually. Echuca had become the second largest port in Victoria and the largest inland port in Australia. At it's peak the wharf was over 300 meters long.
The riverboat days boomed at Echuca – until the great depression of the 1890’s. As the railways were extended in New South Wales and road transport improved, the river trade declined and the old wharf, built in 1865, was defunct by the 1920’s
By an accident of good fortune Echuca’s subsequent growth moved away from the river, leaving the old wharf and the original buildings in decay but intact.
The Story Continues
Today, Echuca Moama is home to over 22,000 people and is a tourism favourite, welcoming over 1.5 million visitors each year. Alongside tourism, the region is famous for its agricultural industry, national parks and forests, wine regions, and emerging food scene.
The Port of Echuca is a living monument to the 1870's and the boom of the riverboat trade. It was made famous in the TV series All the Rivers Run. Today, it is a place where you can learn about the early pioneering days at the Discovery Centre, view steam powered exhibits, take a paddlesteamer cruise and visit the surrounding historic shopfronts, pubs and cafes.
While our story will always begin and end with the river, there is so much more to explore, and we invite you to be part of that story.
About Echuca Moama
We are nestled proudly on the banks of Dhungula (The Murray River) in Yorta Yorta Country and thank them as Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and connection to the land and waters.
Echuca Moama is a vibrant twin-town destination that offers a perfect blend of historic charm, natural beauty, and modern attractions.
Echuca Moama is renowned for its rich riverboat history, with the region once serving as a key port for paddle steamers during the 19th century.
Today, visitors can step back in time with a visit to the historic Port of Echuca, where iconic paddle steamers still cruise the river, or explore the area's vast outdoor spaces, including lush riverbanks and stunning wineries.
With a wide range of activities from water sports and hiking to wine tasting and cultural experiences, Echuca Moama is an ideal destination for both relaxation and adventure.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or looking for a family-friendly getaway, this unique riverside destination promises an unforgettable experience!