Things to Do in Echuca
Where is Echuca?
Echuca is located an easy 2 ½ hour drive from Melbourne, and a similar distance from Albury. Echuca is a border town – just across the river is the delightful town Moama NSW. You can travel by train from Melbourne to Echuca. There is plenty of accommodation in walking distance from the train station.
If you haven’t heard of Echuca before you might be wondering how you pronounce it! So here you go – “Eee- Choo- Ka”.
What is Echuca famous for?
Echuca is most famous for the Murray River, Paddlesteamers, Houseboat Holidays and water skiing. It is also well known for it’s amazing weather, fabulous cafes and restaurants and wineries. There are lovely boutique retail stores – clothing, shoes, giftware, book stores and more.
Planning your visit to Echuca Moama – there’s so many things to do!
There’s lots of things to do in Echuca, and there’s also some great places to visit in the region. Here is a list of activities and attractions, and places to eat, drink and enjoy!
Bike Riding:
1. Green Pedal E-bike Hire, Bike Hire and Cycling Tours
Echuca Moama has beautiful river scenery and one of the best things to do when you visit Echuca is to jump on a bike and explore. There’s also many Echuca Moama attractions that you can ride to on a bike!
Green Pedal Cycles has E-bikes for hire, including 2 hour hire, half day hire, full day hire and multi day hire. Standard push bikes are also available. Bike hire includes use of helmet, bike lock and a complimentary map. Tour guide David will help you plan a self guided tour of Echuca Moama, and also offers guided tours on a Monday, Friday and Saturday.
2. Banuyle State Forest – ride or walk
The Banuyle State Forest provides kilometres of cycling tracks and trails. Escape into nature and enjoy the 360 degree nature views! Ride or walk. Maps are available from the Echuca Visitor Information Centre, which is a great place to start your ride or walk.
3. Moama Mountain Bike Track
Watersports:
4. Stand-Up Paddle
Echuca Moama has two Stand Up Paddle Board operators – Echuca SUP and Emu Outdoors. Stand Up Padding Boarding (SUP) is a great way to spend a couple of hours. It’s relaxing paddling down the river, enjoying the river sights and sounds of the birds.
5. Water-Ski on the Murray
Echuca Moama is home to Brett Sands Watersports. Brett is a world champion bare foot water skier and for many years has operated a ski school. You can book ½ or full day lessons with Brett Sands.
6. Canoe Hire
You will find Canoe Hire located near the Victoria Park Boat Ramp in Echuca. Great family fun!
Family Fun:
7. Mini Golf
Rich River Golf Club has a fabulous mini-golf course. All equipment is provided, and bookings are not required. This is a perfect holiday activity for all ages. Open 8 am – 10 pm, 7 days per week.
8. Twisted Science
Opening Hours:
School term: open Wednesday – Sunday. 3 session times (1.5 hours each) 10:00-11:30am, 12:30-2:00pm, 2:30-4:00pm.
School Holidays: open every day. 3 session times (1.5 hours each) 10:00-11:30am, 12:30-2:00pm, 2:30-4:00pm.
Bookings are essential at Twisted Science.
9. Flash Fairlane Limo Tour
A limo Tour in a “Flash Fairlane” is sure to create special holiday memories. For just $55 (June 2022), enjoy a 20 minute cruise for up to 4 people, in a magnificently maintained classic 1959 Ford Fairlane.
- History of the Murray River region:
10. Port of Echuca Discovery Centre
If you enjoy a bit of history then a visit to the Echuca Port of Discovery Centre is well worth putting on your to do list. The history of the paddlesteamer days and river trade is fascinating.
11. Book a Paddlesteamer cruise
A paddlesteamer cruise on the Murray, is one of the most popular attractions in Echuca Moama. There are several different options to choose from, including:
- Echuca Paddlesteamers
- Murray River Paddlesteamers
Book a cruise on the PS Canberra, and enjoy the captain’s commentary and river views.
The PS Canberra 1 hour day cruise gives passengers a glimpse of the redgums and wildlife. Children are also encouraged to have a go steering the 108 year old paddlesteamer and are awarded with a free skippers certificate on completion of the cruise. The regular cruise schedule is Wednesday to Sunday from 10.15am, 11.30 am, 1.15pm and 2.30 pm.
The MV Maryann is another great option, particularly if you’d like to enjoy morning tea or lunch on the cruise.
A cruise on one of Echuca’s paddlesteamers is a great way to also learn of some of the early history of Echuca Moama.
11. MV Maryann Lunch cruises
Two hour lunch cruises operate at 12 noon on Thursdays and Fridays. Alternatively enjoy a 1.5 hour lunch cruise on the weekends. Bookings are essential.
13. Echuca National Holden Museum
The Echuca National Holden Museum is fantastic display of Holden vehicles. It’s a great collection of Aussie Holden history, and is open 7 days a week.
14. Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum
Echuca’s Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm museum is an amazing collection of memorabilia. Rated on TripAdvisor as Echuca’s #1 Attraction, put this on your list. The Beer Shed is located in Maryann Road Echuca. Open weekends and School Holidays, or by appointment. Host, Neil Thomas will ensure you have a memorable and entertaining time.
15. Guided Electric Bike Tour
A Green Pedal E-Bike tour is a great way to combine a little bit of easy exercise, with learning about some of the local insights, past and present. Options include the 90 minute Echuca Scenic Tour, or allow up to 3 hours for the Echuca Bike To Winery Tour which includes complimentary wine tasting at St Anne’s Winery in Moam
Coffee, Food and Wine:
If you’re in Echuca for a week or two you will be able to try out the many cafes, restaurants and wineries. It you’re only visiting for a weekend, it’s going to be a hard decision!
16. The Best Coffee in Echuca
Our favourite cafes that serve excellent coffee include:
- Johnny and Lyle – High Street Echuca
- Three Black Sheep – Pericoota Road Moama
- The Sweet Meadow – High Street Echuca
- BYL – Nish Street Echuca
- Fuzion – Pakenham Street Echuca
- Murray River Tea Rooms – Meninya Street Moama
- The Odd Captain – High Street Echuca
17. Echuca’s Best Dinner Restaurants
Echuca has an excellent choice of dinner options. Here is a list of our favourties!
- OPA (Greek)
- Sunago (Greek)
- Junction (Fine Dining – over 18’s)
- The Mill
- The Star
- Riverbank
18. Pub Meals in Echuca
If you prefer a pub meal our Echuca favourites are
- The Shamrock
- The American
- The Caledonian
Across the border is Moama’s only pub, the Border Inn which is very popular with locals and tourists.
19. Echuca Moama Wineries and Cellar Doors
Visiting wineries, distilleries and breweries are favourite holiday activities.
Check out:
- St Anne’s in Echuca and Moama
- Morrisons Winery
- Bar Lee
- Bandicoot Brewery
Within half an hour you can also visit:
- Cape Horn Vineyard
- The Old School Winery
- Restdown Winery
- Carriages Winery
20. E-bike Hire, Bike Hire and Cycling Tours
Echuca Moama has beautiful river scenery and one of the best things to do when you visit Echuca is to jump on a bike and explore. Green Pedal Cycles has E-bikes for hire, including 2 hour hire, half day hire, full day hire and multi day hire. Standard push bikes are also available. Bike hire includes use of helmet, bike lock and a complimentary map. Tour guide David will help you plan a self guided tour of Echuca Moama, and also offers guided tours on a Monday, Friday and Saturday. Plan a day and explore the best attractions in Echuca Moama by bike. We can guarantee you won’t be short of things to do and see!
21. More things to do in Echuca – check out the Echuca Visitor Information Centre
The Echuca Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days a week, and they have a fabulous informative website. And, the friendly staff and volunteers are always very obliging. Not only do they help with accommodation bookings, but they will also help you plan your days to maximise a memorable holiday experience in Echuca Moama.
