We spent two nights in Echuca as part of our longer Victorian road trip with Connie (our Caravan), and the main purpose of this stop was simple — to explore the historic port precinct and soak up one of Australia’s most important river towns.
In this guide, we’re sharing everything you can do around the old port area — whether you only have a half day, or you want to stretch it into a slow, relaxed five to six hours. Echuca is one of those places that doesn’t need rushing. It works beautifully at a gentle pace, especially for couples who love wandering, learning, stopping for coffee, and letting the day unfold naturally.
Why Echuca Matters
Wharf at Echuca
Echuca became one of Australia’s most important inland ports because of the Murray River trade routes. Paddle steamers, river transport, timber, farming, and freight movement all passed through this port, making it a vital connection point between Victoria and New South Wales.
Echuca became one of Australia’s most important inland ports because it was the closest navigable point on the Murray River to Melbourne, making it the key transfer point between river transport and rail transport for trade, timber, farming, and freight.
Today, that history is beautifully preserved in the port precinct, giving visitors a chance to step back into the era of river trade, steam power, and river life — without it feeling heavy or overly commercial.
Today, only about 75.5 metres of that original wharf remains in use — a fraction of its original length — but those remaining timbers still tell a powerful story of what river trade looked like in its peak era.
Starting the Day: Paddle Steamer Experiences
We began our day by heading straight to the port to see what paddle steamer rides were available.
There are a few different operators and boats to choose from, and our biggest tip is simple:
👉 Book as early as you can, especially if you have a specific paddle steamer in mind. Seats do fill quickly, particularly during busy periods.
We chose the PS Pevensey for our ride, and the experience was exactly what you’d hope for. The ride runs for about one hour, giving you time to relax, enjoy the river, and experience what river travel once felt like.
It’s not rushed, it’s not loud, and it’s not gimmicky, just peaceful river cruising and history combined.
Enjoying the River by Paddle Steamer
Port Precinct & Historic Wharf Area
Where you book tickets for the PS Pevensey at the Port of Echuca, you’ll also find a really well-done interactive museum-style information centre. This space leads directly into what remains of the historic wharf area, and it’s absolutely worth taking the time to explore.
Here you’ll find:
Steam engine displays
Timber and logging replicas
Wood processing exhibits
Historic port infrastructure
Old machinery
Wharf structures
River trade displays
It’s fascinating without being overwhelming, and it’s one of those spaces that works beautifully if you take it slowly, reading, wandering, and letting the history sink in rather than rushing through.
Food, Wine & Local Stops
Great Stop
One of the great things about the Echuca port area is how much is packed into a walkable precinct.
Some highlights from our visit:
🍽 Bridge Hotel
Located directly across from the port of Echuca, it’s a great reference point and an easy place to stop for a meal or a drink.
We had lunch at the hotel, and it was really lovely.
🍷 St Anne’s Winery Cellar Door
This was a standout for us.
We did a wine tasting at St Anne’s Winery Cellar Door, and it was a genuinely lovely experience — relaxed, welcoming, and well-run.
We may also have come home with “support” (aka wine 😄), which is always a good sign of a successful tasting.
Other spots around the precinct include:
A working blacksmith
The Bond Store (which houses the Tourist Information Centre)
A little gimmicky, but still worth popping into
Toilets, information, and a historic building all in one
Art shops
Cafes
Historic buildings
Small local stores are scattered throughout the area
Rail Platform, History & Border Crossing
The Rail platform and the state border
If you head up to the old rail platform area, you’ll find another interesting layer of Echuca’s story.
There’s a historic train display that tells the story of a rebellion and protest in which a train was attacked, a fascinating, lesser-known piece of local history that adds depth to the port experience.
There’s also a large open space here, making it a great place to stop, sit, let your imagination run wild about yesteryear or just take a break.
And for something a little fun and trivial:
👉 You can actually stand on the Victoria–New South Wales border here.
Interestingly, the border is not the river; it’s actually on the Echuca side of the river, just a few metres inland. A small detail, but a fun moment to experience if you’re already in the area.
Extra Highlights Around the Port
As you wander, keep an eye out for:
The massive old hardwood log buggy
Historic machinery displays
River views and walking paths
Picnic areas
Shaded benches
Park spaces
The playground area near the Port Authority end
Riverbank sitting spots for slow moments and quiet reflection
It’s the kind of precinct that works just as well for wandering as it does for structured exploring.
Now, let it be said, I am sure the rest of Echuca is lovely, but our plan was just to explore the Old Port Area.
Where We Stayed: Free Camping Near Echuca
Connie at Wills Bend
During our stay in Echuca, we chose to free camp at Wills Bend, about 18 kilometres out of town, right on the Murray River.
It’s a self-contained free camp, but it was a beautiful, peaceful spot for our two-night stay — and you’re allowed to have campfires, which made it even better.
It worked perfectly for slow travel:
Close enough to access Echuca easily, but far enough out to feel like a proper bush camp by the river.
For us, it was the perfect balance between town access and quiet caravan living.
A Perfect Half-Day (or Slow Day) Experience
Echuca’s historic port is one of those places that adapts to your pace.
You can:
Do it in a half day if you’re short on time
or
Turn it into a slow five to six-hour experience with paddle steamers, walking, lunch, tastings, history, and river time
It’s walkable, layered, interesting, and beautifully suited to couples who enjoy:
Slow travel
Shared experiences
History
Waterways
Wandering without rushing
Learning together
Letting a place unfold naturally
Echuca doesn’t shout for attention — it invites you to slow down and stay a while.
And sometimes, those are the places that stay with you the longest.
More from Sapphire Blue Travel
🎥 Watch the Companion Vlog
We also filmed a companion vlog of our Echuca visit, showing the historic port precinct, paddle steamer ride, and everything we experienced during our day.
If you prefer to see it rather than just read it, you can watch the full Echuca port vlog here:
👉Watch the Echuca Port Vlog on YouTube
If you’re planning a broader Victorian trip, these guides and videos will help you build your journey:
📝 Travel Guides
16-Day Victorian Van Life Road Trip (Part 1)
Our full journey through regional Victoria, slow travel style.
👉 https://sapphirebluetravel.com.au/blog/sapphire-blue-travel-blog/victorian-van-life-road-trip-our-16-day-journey-through-victoria-part-1/
Great Ocean Road Itinerary: 3 Days Exploring the Coast & Otways
A relaxed coastal route through one of Victoria’s most iconic regions.
👉 https://sapphirebluetravel.com.au/blog/sapphire-blue-travel-blog/great-ocean-road-itinerary-three-days-exploring-the-coast-otways/
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Ballarat
History, heritage, and slow exploration in a classic goldfields town.
👉 https://sapphirebluetravel.com.au/blog/sapphire-blue-travel-blog/top-5-things-to-see-and-do-in-ballarat/
🎥 Victorian Road Trip Video Series
Follow our full Victorian journey on YouTube:
👉 Watch the Victorian Road Trip Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuaO4EbAdWs&list=PLCMbQPeX-621fwTPAHQVAFfd9bi2tPQTL&pp=gAQBsAgC
