Get ready to explore the best of Echuca Moama on this four day itinerary.
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Where to stay
You’re spoilt for accommodation choices in Echuca Moama with hotels, motels, caravan parks, resorts and even houseboats. To help narrow down the choices we’ve got four suggestions across various styles and price ranges.
Positioned on the banks of the Campaspe River in the historic port precinct of Echuca, The CocknBull Boutique Hotel is a luxurious home away from home. With only five perfectly appointed self-contained boutique apartments it never feels crowded staying at the CocknBull. A solar heated pool and tranquil courtyard garden overlooking the river is the perfect place to sit back and relax after each days’ adventures.
Price range is $$$
Part of the Accor Hotel Group, the Mercure Port of Echuca is a 4.5 star accommodation property located in the heart of Echuca, offering a blend of modern comfort and historic charm. The hotel features 62 well-appointed rooms, an outdoor pool and spa area and onsite breakfast options.
Price range is $$$
When it comes to motels, there is no more convenient base from which to experience Echuca and its surrounds than the Nirebo Motel Echuca. The motel has 42 rooms all offering tasteful yet affordable accommodation.
Price range is $$
NRMA Echuca Holiday Park’s selection of fully self-contained cabins offers a delightful escape for those seeking both relaxation and adventure and are designed to cater to a variety of preferences. Step onto your cabin’s private veranda and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of Echuca’s riverfront. Centrally located, with a bushland outlook, it’s the best of both worlds.
Price Range is $$
DAY ONE - Friday
Morning
Welcome to Echuca Moama, this is Yorta Yorta Woka (country), nestled proudly on the Banks of Dhungala (Murray River). On your mid-day arrival into Echuca, after a 2.5-hour drive via pause stop locations in Heathcote or Bendigo, head to Echuca Moama Port Visitor Information Centre, in the historical port precinct.
Once one of our friendly volunteers has given you all the local tips they’ll direct you around the corner to your destination for lunch, Monkee and Co. This funky Asian fusion restaurant serves traditional and modern Asian dishes with flavours from Vietnam, China, Malaysia and Thailand. Located on the main High Street, the outdoor area is perfect for soaking up the hustle and bustle around you. Or if a slower pace is your preference the riverside deck area lets you unwind and enjoy the peaceful flow of the Campaspe River.
Afternoon
Explore Echuca Moama in a more adventurous way with Green Pedal Cycles guided E-Bike tours. Led by local expert David, these tours offer a 360-degree view of the area’s natural beauty and wildlife, as well as a glimpse into the local history and culture. Today you are taking the Bike to Winery Guided Tour – cycle through Echuca’s port area, over the Murray River, then meander along the scenic route that leads to St Annes Winery where you'll enjoy complimentary tastings of award-winning wines.
Enjoy a ploughman’s platter overlooking the pond and enjoy the tranquility of the place where St Anne’s wines are grown and produced. On the return trip you’ll take a slightly different route, stopping at Moama Beach and Horseshoe Lagoon for stunning Murray River scenery before returning to Echuca’s port precinct.
It’s time to head to your accommodation, check in, put your feet up for a while and prepare for your next adventure.
Evening
Your dinner destination tonight is Bar Lee, the culinary offering of the award-winning Echuca Distillery. This lively venue offers a mix of locally crafted beverages, delectable share plates, and a welcoming atmosphere. With options for indoor dining, alfresco charm, and a rooftop deck, Bar Lee caters to every preference.
From the restaurant you can see “Lavender”, Echuca Distillery’s Italian born copper still, as she undertakes the intricate and ancient distillation process crafting spirits including gin, flavoured vodka and liqueurs. Echuca Distillery encourages “Drink Less – Enjoy More” and their craft spirits are 100% pure thanks to a combination of naturally derived botanicals and spirit.
DAY TWO - Saturday
Morning
For an active start to your day, why not join the locals at Parkrun, for a free and friendly 5km community event – walk, jog, run – it’s up to you! After working up an appetite, head to The Sweet Meadow, a vegetarian café in the heart of Echuca. This popular eatery’s plant-based menu centres around eating whole foods, fresh from the earth, prepared with minimal fuss and eaten in a way that nourishes the body.
On that note it’s time to stock up on fresh seasonal produce at the Echuca Farmers Market, held on the first and third Saturday of the month. You can walk to the market to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables, gourmet cheese and freshly baked goods. If you happen to be here on a week where the market is not taking place, Rich Glen Provedore in High Street is the place to go for all your regional delicacies.
And you can’t visit Echuca’s port precinct without indulging in a spot of retail therapy at a range of beautiful boutique stores offering unique finds and local craftsmanship. The popular retail strip is the perfect place to buy a keepsake from the Port of Echuca Blacksmith, Customs House Gallery or Echuca Chocolate Company.
Now armed with beautiful fresh market produce it would be the perfect day for a riverside picnic. A five-minute drive from Echuca’s centre, Moama Beach has a grassy area overlooking a sandy riverbank beach with views of the historic wharf. It offers a laid-back option for lunch while watching our famous paddlesteamers cruise on by. If you’d prefer not to make your own picnic, swing by Hammond Providore on your way and select from their delicious grab and go fresh lunches.
Afternoon
It’s time to discover The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum. The hero of this quirky attraction is its collection of more than 20,000 beer cans from all over the world. The venue is a showcase of Australian history with its extensive and exclusive collection of memorabilia and artifacts – there is Australiana, a coca cola collection, heritage farm machinery, horse drawn carriages, vintage and classic cars, and even a partially restored WW1 cannon. An entertaining and engaging guided tour by owner and local character, Neil Thomas, brings the whole experience to life. And it wouldn’t live up to its name without a licenced bar, so at the end of your tour enjoy a refreshing drink before heading back to your accommodation to freshen up before dinner.
Evening
Tonight Nick and Maria are pleased to offer you a seat at their table as you enjoy authentic and traditional Greek food in central Echuca at OPA Echuca – Eat like a Greek with family style Greek mezze and traditional Hellenic dining.
After your Greek feast, head to the Port of Echuca for the Port After Dark Tour. Unexplained happenings, ghost stories, local urban legends, and chilling historic events all unravel at the Port after dark. Explore restricted areas not normally accessible to the public and time travel back to the (rightfully) hidden parts of Echuca’s history when mystery, murder, and mayhem ran the town.
If you’re not quite ready for bed after all that excitement and intrigue, kick on at Paradise Bar. For those who want to check out Echuca Moama’s edgy nightlife, this exquisite cocktail bar offers an inviting atmosphere and handcrafted cocktails.
DAY THREE - Sunday
Morning
No matter the season, the perfect way to start your day in Echuca Moama is a sunrise paddle with Echuca Moama Stand Up Paddleboarding. There is nothing more invigorating than gliding downstream on the river on a stand-up paddleboard as the sun rises from behind the trees. After that breathtaking start to the day, make your way to Johnny and Lyle, not far from the centre of Echuca. Serving all day breakfast and lunch, Johnny and Lyle is known for its coffee, delicious food and warm hospitality. You know it’s good when locals flock there daily.
After breakfast it’s time for a short walk to Riverboat Dock, to board the Paddlesteamer Canberra for the Wharf to Winery Cruise. While enjoying a scenic 30-minute cruise aboard this majestic timber vessel you’ll learn about the region’s pioneer history from the captain’s commentary and enjoy the views from the wide viewing windows and decks. You will arrive in style at the stunning riverside vineyard, Morrisons Winery, where you will savour a chef-inspired two course lunch and complimentary drink.
Image: Murray Regional Tourism
Afternoon
The return leg of your cruise delivers you back at Riverboat Dock in time for a leisurely afternoon stroll through our art galleries and specialty shops. You’ll find a delightful mix of galleries including The Foundry Arts Space, showcasing a variety of artworks from paintings to mixed media installations in the restored Freeman’s Foundry building. The Whistle Stop Studio Gallery is a working studio in the heritage listed former Strathmerton railway station which has been relocated to Echuca’s port precinct. Here you can watch artist Glenda Cornell create art works featuring the Murray River, paddlesteamers, local wildlife and contemporary works.
After an early start and a busy day, you might want to head back to your accommodation for a quick recharge ahead of dinner. If not, you could head to the Social Wine Bar for a pre-dinner drink. Boasting some of the best river views from the back courtyard and deck, the Social is a mix of rustic charm and stylish modern interior. The Social is a great place to meet the locals and make new friends with sunset drinks under a century-old pine tree overlooking the Campaspe River.
Evening
Dinner tonight is at The Mill, a vibrant neighbourhood gathering space in Echuca with an industrial charm and contemporary vibe. The five-storey building was constructed in 1881 and is the former home of Echuca’s original flour mill. The philosophy here is simple: source the best produce and cook with love. An ever-changing seasonal menu ranges from global street food and sharing plates to classic dinner and dessert options.
DAY FOUR - Monday
Morning
Enjoy a slower start to the day today with a leisurely and decadent breakfast at Echuca’s Essen, an all-day dining destination housed in a heritage listed mechanical engineering workshop. Essen is German for ‘to eat’ and is the essence of the Oberin family’s love of food, wine, people and their German heritage.
Today it’s time to explore the Port of Echuca Museum and Wharf. The Port of Echuca is a living monument to the 1870’s when Echuca was the third largest port in Australia, behind Sydney and Melbourne. A guided tour will transport you back to the 1800s and set the scene of what life was like in the Port of Echuca’s heyday. Hear tales of the characters who were part of Echuca Moama’s development, visit the underground bar and escape tunnel used to avoid police, and experience the power of steam via working displays. At the conclusion of your guided tour, wander through the museum displays and take in the view of the Mighty Murray River from the top of the wharf.
A short stroll across the street you will find the Beekeepers Table, your destination for lunch. Home to My Dad’s Honey, producers of Australian certified organic honey straight from the bees to you, Beekeepers Table boasts a delicious menu showcasing local produce and of course their amazing honey products. My Dad’s Honey retail shop is also located in the premises, so you can stock up on goodies to take home. And on that note, it is time to bid Echuca Moama farewell as you head for home.
For those who are travelling south, why not call in at Rochester, 28 kms down the road. Home to a thriving arts community, Rochester is a vibrant town nestled on the banks of the Campaspe River. It forms part of the Australian Silo Art Trail with the iconic Jimmy Dvate painted silos sitting at the centre of town. Other outdoor art installations include Iddles Lane, commemorating the career of one of Victoria’s most respected homicide detectives, Ron Iddles, and Mural Park, which showcases Murals from Rochester’s annual Mural Festival.
Safe travels for your journey home.