Melbourne Off-the-Beaten-Path | Echuca Retro Travel Guide

If you're fascinated by the old-world charm of wooden aromas and shimmering reflections, then a two-and-a-half-hour drive north from Melbourne to the riverbanks of Echuca will show you why you'll fall in love with this place. Echuca is a river port town that lives in the 19th century.

I first heard about Echuca from a photograph: at the end of a wooden pier, a red paddle steamer was slowly docking, churning the river into a glittering expanse of gold.

Places worth visiting:
Port of Echuca Discovery Centre (Free)
Converted from the old customs house, it tells the history of the river port and Aboriginal culture. The back door leads directly to the pier, where old steamships are moored.

Take a ride on a 1906 paddle steamer
The PS Emmylou, powered by burning wood, takes you on a tour of the Murray River. There are lunch cruises where you can eat and enjoy the river views.

National Holden Museum
Over forty old Australian-made cars, from race cars to vintage sports cars. Car enthusiasts will love it.

Sharpe's Magic Movie House
Old-fashioned arcade games and classic movies. Tickets are valid all day, and you get unlimited soft candies.

Take a carriage ride through old buildings
At the port, vintage horse-drawn carriages take you through Victorian-era houses.

Pick strawberries or visit a winery
In summer (November-April), pick your own strawberries at nearby farms. In winter, relax at a local winery.

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