Echuca and the Murray River

Glenn trying her hand at pulling a wagon.

The port of Echuca blacksmith.

St-Anne's winery offering lots of free tasters of port - YUM!!

Port barrels.

Paddle Steamer Canberra

Captain Bennett at the wheel!

Wood burning steam engine.

The paddle wheels can be seen through a glass window.

We were told that red doors like this one were placed every 3 miles along the Murray River, serving  as marking posts.

We went to Echuca, which is about 210km north of Melbourne, on the border with New South Wales.  It was founded in 1850 and was, in its hayday, the largest inland port in Australia.  Echuca is an Aboriginal word meaning "meeting of the waters".  During the great depression of the 1890s as the railways improved, the river trade declined and by the 1920s, the port of Echuca became somewhat of a ghosttown.  In 1975, the entire port area was declared a historic precinct and opened once again, this time as a holiday destination.  We went for a one hour cruise on the Paddle Streamer Canberra.  Bennett loved being on the water and seeing all the other boats.  Glenn loved being able to walk around and climb the stairs.  It was a lovely afternoon and we would definitely recommend a trip to Echuca.