The twin towns of Barham (NSW) and Koondrook (Victoria), located on the mighty Murray River ooze charm and character galore and offer many choices for a day trip. Beyond the expected country hospitality and charm, the towns feature national parks, state forests, picturesque recreation areas and a scene of natural activities and boutique food, wine and cultural experiences.

Many activities here are based around the iconic Murray River including wetland cruises, fishing, bushwalking, boating and canoeing. Barham – Koondrook has a diverse and exciting range of eateries, a collection of individual country retail shops and niche farm gate experiences.

Explore the wide range of cycling and walking trails through the bush and pretty township, including the beautiful Barham Boardwalk.

For more information on Barham- Koondrook visit www.visitrivercountry.com.au

QUICK STATS

Services include:

• Hospitality – bakery, pub, club
• Fuel
• Sporting – golf, lawn bowls
• Accommodation - Motel, Caravan Park
• Supermarket

Destination highlights

• Camping, Fishing, River Activities
• Koondrook Barham Redgum Statue River Walk
• Border Flywheelers Club Heritage Museum
• Barham Vines

Barham Visitor Information Centre located at Barham Newsagency, 36 Noorong St, Barham
Ph: 03 5453 2043

Pack up the car, hit the road and get ready to discover the charming riverside towns, rural hamlets, creative hubs and vibrant villages that can all be found within a short drive of Echuca Moama. 

Whether you're in the mood for exploring scenic landscapes, immersing yourself in the region's rich history, or enjoying a peaceful escape, there's something for everyone.

Uncover our hidden gems as you wander off the beaten path, experience the warmth of local hospitality, and live like a true local. Along the way, you'll have the chance to meet our friendly community characters, each with their own unique stories to tell. They’ll greet you with open arms, eager to share a tall tale or two, giving you a deeper connection to this special part of the world.

Plan your journey around our region

The Murray River

The Murray is the lifeblood of the agricultural industry for much of inland Victoria and is often referred to as the ‘food bowl’ of Australia.


Murray River Flag

The Murray River Flag is flown from paddlesteamers and other vessels in that ply the waters of the Murray Darling river system. Thea earliest recorded reference to the Murray Flag was at Goolwa to honour the first paddle steamer to go into service on the Murray River " The Mary Ann". 

It's the only flag in the world to be named in honour of a river.

 

The flag bears a red cross with four horizontal blue bars. The cross being charged with 5 stars as emblems of the Colonies while the upper corner is taken up with British connections which is depicted by the Union Jack. It is believed that the blue bars represent the four major rivers the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan and Darling.

Today the Murray River is represented by two flags. The Upper Murray Flag has darker blue bands on its flag, representing the darker waters of the river's upper reaches. The Lower Murray Flag, used predominantly in South Australia, is distinguished by the use of pale blue bands representing the lighter coloured waters of the lower reaches of the Murray.

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.