It all started with steam....

the great energy producer of the past. From 1860 to 1900 Echuca was the vital and vibrant centre of the Murray river trade, and steam powered river boats, locomotives, sawmills and wharf cranes. The wharf itself is in the process of being rebuilt, and in a year's time it will be possible to relive some of the glory days of the 19th century in this area. In the meantime, the Port authorities are doing their best to entertain the thousands of tourists and schoolchildren who come to see the exhibits in this living museum.We took the opportunity of a trip on the Murray in a side paddle steamer, one of a number who ply the river to this day, but only for tourists nowadays. Side wheelers because they pulled barges, and if they were to stop suddenly stern wheels would be smashed by the barges behind.


The river at the moment is some 4 mtrs above it mean height, but can go as much as 10 mtrs above in flood times. The wharf is built to allow for this, and is in the process of being partially rebuilt. Redgum is the preferred wood, it is almost indestructible, resists decay very well, ( some of the original piles are being reused) and is very strong. Surprisingly- it is so dense  it does not float, so had to be carried  downriver- it couldn't be floated down!

The main exports from Echuca were wool, cattle and sheep, which were brought here from the outlying stations by steamer and barge. Earlier they were barged all the way down to the ocean some 1800 miles away. Later they went by rail from here to Melbourne, and during the gold rushes at Ballarat and Bendigo many thousands of cattle and sheep were sent there to satisfy the appetites of the miners.

We spent the day at the wharf, investigating the steamers, the rebuild of the wharf, the rail head and the sawmills. The wharf museum is very informative, giving us the history from the first ferry across the Murray right through ubtil the decline of the river trade in the early 20th century as a result of road development.
A good day, well worth the trip up here.