| Echuca is a charming colourful town of more than 10,000 people situated on the banks of the Murray River 207km north of Melbourne. The town has a rich history with the name of one Henry Hopwood being prominent. Hopwood was an entrepreneur well before his time and at one stage had a financial interest in most of the businesses in the town. Echuca was a prosperous port linking the towns along the Murray River with the port of Melbourne. The completion of the railway in 1864 started a slow but inevitable decline of river traffic and the port primarily exists today as a tourist attraction. No visit to Echuca would be complete without a ride on one of the many heritage paddle-steamers. The Echuca Port includes many attractions, museums and eateries. The historic Bridge Hotel, preserved in heritage style, is well worth a visit. |
