Echuca

Ahhh, we had missed living in our camper and the camping life! After a week in Castlemaine, staying with family, we were more than ready to get back into our holiday and back into our routine of camping.

We arrived in Echuca and remembering some advice from an older couple we chatted to in Sydney, we checked into the Echuca Caravan Park, in the centre of town and with its big new amenities block! We were most impressed with the heaters in the showers and the big family bathroom, which made bathing the kids a lot easier!

We were able to walk from the park to the Port, where we took a Paddle Steamer ride down the Murray River on the P.S Pevensey. Luckily we got the 2 for 1 deal (running in August only) so we decided to pay to look in the discovery centre as well.

The kids enjoyed the paddle steamer ride and listening to the history surrounding the area. The discovery centre gave the kids a spotto sheet and they liked completing it and receiving a lollypop at the end! The centre was full of written history of the Echuca area and I was surprised to learn that in the early 1900’s this place was the third biggest port in Australia (after Melbourne and Sydney!). There were also some hands on activities such as having a turn of putting wood in the steam engine and blowing the whistle. And having a go of the hand pumps that were used in the olden days! There was hardly anyone else there and the staff were so kind to the kids, chatting away and helping them with their spotto sheet.

We had lunch at a cute little café called ‘Wisteria’ where we sat by an open fire place and had a white table cloth laid out for us! The café was well priced, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was just what we needed on a sunny, but cold winters day in Echuca.

Sitting by the fire doing some drawing at the cafe

Wisteria Cafe

After lunch we headed to the Holden Museum for Craig to have a look. Got to see a convertible VL commodore, which was a highlight!

The following day we were due to leave but since the sky was lovely and blue in Echuca (and raining in Melbourne) we decided to stay another night. We spent the day taking a horse and carriage ride down the main street. And having some old fashioned photos taken. Then made use of the brand new recreational room (with a heater) at the caravan park to do some school work.

us in the olden days!! Abigail was pissed off as she wanted a hat like Matilda's!

Our horse and carriage ride!

I really liked Echuca. The history, the buildings, the town itself. Our family enjoyed our stay and we will be back one day in the future. Craig is keen to fly over here and hire a house boat and sail down the Murray. So no doubt we will do it when the kids are a bit older!