Port of Echuca
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Port of Echuca boasts the Murray River’s largest fleet of authentic Paddle Steamers.
Restored at Port of Echuca, PS Pevensey, PS Adelaide and PS Alexander are unique vessels equipped with original steam engines.
Steaming from Echuca Wharf, Port of Echuca’s Paddlesteamers offer relaxing one hour cruises.
Settle back or wander the deck - you’ll enjoy your steam experience!
PS Pevensey
Built in 1911, PS Pevensey is famed for her starring role as PS Philadelphia in the internationally acclaimed mini series ‘All the Rivers Run’. PS Pevensey is a favourite Port of Echuca Paddle Steamer.
PS Adelaide
The darling of Port of Echuca’s Paddle Steamers, PS Adelaide is Australia’s oldest paddle steamer, built in 1866. Rumoured to be named after Queen Adelaide, PS Adelaide is one of the fastest paddle steamers on the Murray – and also one of the most refined.
PS Alexander Arbuthnot
The youngster of Port of Echuca’s Paddle Steamers, PS Alexander Arbuthnot was the last paddle steamer built for the riverboat trade, in 1923. Onboard, discover where PS Alexander Arbuthnot’s interesting name came from!
Port of Echuca’s Paddlesteamers depart as scheduled from Echuca Wharf 5 times daily – 10.15am, 11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.30pm & 3.45pm
Honorary First Mate Certificates awarded to child passengers!
Admission Prices:
Full Admission – Includes a one hour Port of Echuca Paddlesteamer Cruise onboard PS Pevensey, PS Adelaide or PS Alexander Arbuthnot!all day access to Port of Echuca’s Attractions and the River to Rail Trail, complimentary Guided Tours as scheduled!
Adults: $20.00
Seniors & Students: $17.00
Children: $13.00
Family – 2 Adults and up to 4 Children: $65.00
Children under 5: Free of Charge
Port of Echuca - River to Rail Trail
River to Rail Trail
Uncover Echuca’s history on the River to Rail Trail! All day admission allows you to explore Port of Echuca’s attractions at your leisure. Complimentary Guided Tours are available as scheduled. The River to Rail Trail includes:
Cargo Shed Museum
Interpretive displays
The River Journey
Paddlesteamers
The Echuca Story
Murray Darling Basin
Wool to the World
Interactive exhibits
PS Philadelphia Wheelhouse
Port of Echuca model scenes
Port of Echuca Paddlesteamer models
Audio Visual Displays
Guard’s Van & Break Down Van
Sound show
Railway relics
Echuca Wharf
Port of Echuca Paddlesteamers
PS Pevensey
PS Alexander Arbuthnot
PS Adelaide
Wet Dock
Paddlesteamer restoration
Steam Display
Bridge Hotel (upstairs)
1800s hotel rooms and squatters’ suite
Star Hotel
Underground Bar & Escape Tunnel
Admission Prices:
Full Admission – Includes a one hour Port of Echuca Paddlesteamer Cruise onboard PS Pevensey, PS Adelaide or PS Alexander Arbuthnot!all day access to Port of Echuca’s Attractions and the River to Rail Trail, complimentary Guided Tours as scheduled!
Adults: $20.00
Seniors & Students: $17.00
Children: $13.00
Family – 2 Adults and up to 4 Children: $65.00
Children under 5: Free of Charge
History
Echuca was founded in 1853 and the coming of the railway into the Port of Echuca in 1864 saw it become the largest inland port in Australia and second only to the Port of Melbourne in the 1870's.
Paddlesteamers traded along the Darling and the Murrumbidgee Rivers almost as far as the Queensland border and brought their cargoes of wool along the Murray for transport to the Port of Melbourne, with much of the wool going for export from Melbourne to London.
Echuca flourished. Pubs (about 80), breweries and brothels boomed as the raucous township revelled in its success. Legend has it that it wasn't uncommon for horse races to stir up the dust along High Street where boutiques boasted the finest in European fashion, bare knuckle fights lasted hours down on the river banks and you could catch cod fish as big as a man.
The centre piece is the huge red gum wharf, where in just one year (1872) more than 240 boats were cleared. With all that hard work going on, it's no wonder the premises that offered refreshments were so popular. Once Australia's largest inland port - with Echuca Wharf a quarter mile long - Port of Echuca is now home to the world's largest collection of paddlesteamers and offers a unique insight into our pioneering past.
