Echuca Things to Do

4 more images

If you want to see inside the old historic buildings in this area, then you will need to buy the "wharf walk" ticket.
This ticket will give admission to the Cargo shed, the Railway Guard's van and breakdown van, on board one of the paddlesteamers, the Wet Dock to view paddlesteamer restoration, steam display and more.
The website will tell you all the details of what you will see and do.

Wharf Walk prices.......Adult: $12.45....Child (4-14yrs): $8.50..Family: $37.70

The HERITAGE PACKAGE INCLUDES.........
- One hour paddlesteamer cruise departing from Echuca Wharf
- All day Wharf Walk admission & guided tour
- Admission to the National Holden Museum
- Admission to Echuca Historical Society Museum
- Admission & guided tour of The Great Aussie Beer Shed

PRICE....Adult: $45.00....Child (4-14yrs): $22.50.....Family: $121.00

3 more images

Hare & Percy streets in central Echuca, was where the majority of Churches were, mind you, they were pretty good to view!
St Andrew's Presbyterian (now Uniting) Church was built in 1889. If you look opposite the Church, a marker records the height of the massive 1870 flood.
Still walking along Hare street, I found St Mary's Catholic Church (1865) on the corner of Percy & Hare streets. Along Percy street are more old buildings including the Chemist, which was once the Bank of Australasia [built 1870] and another Church, the oldest in Echuca - The Wesleyan (1865), although it has recently been purchased by the Catholic Church who want to demolish it, I do hope they don't destroy this piece of history.

3 more images

High street is a street with plenty to see and do.
The World In Wax displays realistic wax figures of of notable (and infamous) historic figures and has 30 miniature dioramas.
It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. ...... Located at 630 High St.

Across the road, is the Shamrock Hotel (1885) and the Echuca Hotel, built in 1873 to replace the 1858 original which was built for famous explorer Thomas Mitchell. Further along, is the Bank of NSW, a building that looks strong enough to keep any Bank Robber away! Built in Classical design in 1877, I wonder if it did.
Lots of specialty shops to cater to the tourist trade and the Pancake Parlour which was the former Bank of Victoria (1860).

Across the road, is the Murray River Aquarium which has a native fish and reptile display.

2 more images

In Echuca, there is a museum dedicated to the Holden Car.

The National Holden Motor Museum has over 40 immaculately restored Holdens historic film footage and souvenirs. The vehicles and memorabilia is courtesy of Holden Ltd, Holden enthusiasts and private collectors. The Museum is a ever changing display.

For Australians visiting this Museum, it is like walking back down memory lane. Lots of our families owned an Australian made Holden car and still do.
For those coming from overseas, in 1948 the Holden car was the first all-Australian motor vehicle produced.
A souvenir shop sells Holden apparel and more.

OPEN DAILY... 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m
ADMISSION...$6

1 more image

Heading to the historical Museum, I first came across the very impressive looking old courthouse, first used as the shire hall in 1872.

My next stop was the Echuca Historical Society Museum, housed within the former police station and lock-up (1867).
The Museum displays all items relating to Echuca and its river trade and about the town. Old river charts, photo's, info on the local timber industry, Paddlesteamers, teamsters, a collection of wedding dresses from the early 1900's, and information on the early settlers.
Wander outside, and you will find stationary engines, horse drawn transport and equipment and more.

ONLY OPEN SHORT HOURS....
11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on weekends

ADMISSION.....Adult $5.00 per person.... Child $1 per person

Do you have children and are they getting bored?

At Echuca, in a park along Murray Esplanade, is a childrens playground built in the shape of a Paddlesteamer. It is fully fenced so it's quite a safe play area.

1 more image

A must visit in Echuca is the old wharf area where quite a few of the old time Paddlesteamers are.

The P.S. Emmylou is driven by a completely restored 1906 steam engine, and is quite new, as it was built locally between 1980-82 in the style of the 19th century paddleboats. She is 30 metres long and 10 metres wide, steel hulled and timber decked.
The Emmylou is the only wood-fired paddlesteamer in the world offering regular overnight cruising.
She is fuelled by redgum logs and named after US country and western singer Emmylou Harris.
For the men, there is a viewing area above the engine, and for the ladies, just sit back and relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery along the River Murray.

PS Emmylou, is a genuine steam cruise, fully licenced and has an 'all day' menu available on all cruises, and a lunch menu available on the 1.5 hour cruises.
You can view the menu and details of other cruises on the Emmylou on the website listed below.

1 HOUR CRUISE DEPARTS... 10:00am & 3:00pm

COST IN 2012....
Adult/Senior: $26.50 Child: $12.00 Family: $70.00

1 .5 HOUR CRUISE DEPARTS....11:15aM & 1:00pm
Adult/Senior: $33.00 Child: $15.00 Family: $80.00

At peak times, it is possible there may be more cruise times allocated.

1 more image

The Star Hotel (1867), isn't a big impressive Hotel like most are in Australia, instead it's a rather plain red brick building, built to cater for the booming river trade. The hotel was constructed with a large under ground bar called The Shades. This was to escape the summer heat to have a drink in the relative cool 12 ft under the ground. The hotel was know as a rough and drunken establishment and was eventually de-licensed in 1897. The owner still continued to trade illegally and was raided by police, so what did he do, he built an escape tunnel out of the shades bar out into the alley behind. The cellar and escape tunnel can still be visited.

Hard to believe, the Star hotel was one of 78 hotels in Echuca.

The Historic Hotel was eventually purchased by the City of Echuca in 1973, was restored and is now back operating as the Star Hotel once again.
The Hotel is open for Breakfast & Lunch 7 days, Dinner Wed to Sunday & holidays, it has an internal courtyard, a Wine Bar, Public bar and a Cafe which serves coffee & cake.

Situated opposite the Historic Echuca Wharf In the heart of the Port Precinct.
The Star Hotel Runs through from High St to Murray Esplanade.