Echuca & The Murray
5 Days / 4 Nights 


Day 1. Mon: Home Port - Echuca (Lunch & Dinner)

After boarding our luxury coach we depart our pre-arranged pick up point and begin our drive up to the magical Murray River Country and the Historic River Port of Echuca. We make our way up to Cockatoo where we enjoy a comfort stop and cuppa from the coach. We then continue up to Strath Creek home to the Village Green and Pavilion for a delightful lunch stop. Previously named the Hume and Hovell Cricket Ground after the explorers who passed by in 1824, it opened its gates for the first time in 1994. For 20 more years, former owners Don and Anne tended lovingly to their creation, planting out the grounds – there are 250 roses – building seats, arbours, practice nets, developing the accommodations, and running sheep and cattle to reduce the fire risk. After lunch we continue up to Echuca, arriving later this afternoon for check in and dinner at our accommodation.

Overnight Echuca Moama



Day 2. Tues: Historical Tour & Museum - P S Pevensey Cruise - Port of Echuca Tour (Breakfast & Dinner)

This morning after breakfast we are joined by our local guide Gwen Potter and follow the footsteps of the two ex-convicts turned rival businessmen who founded Echuca and Moama. We visit the very sites where it all began as we see 19th century colonial Echuca-Moama brought to colourful life. We hear about the first river crossings, power and ambition, border security, ladies of the night, the first paddle-steamers and so much more. Following our tour Gwen takes us to Echuca Historical Society Museum located in the Old Cop Shop, an 1869 Police Station and Lock Up. Here we see many documents and memorabilia including river charts, records of floods, paddle-steamers that travelled up and down the mighty Murray and stories of men and women who made their life in Echuca. After leaving the museum we enjoy some free time in town to purchase lunch before we board the famous P.S Pevensey which starred as the ‘Philadelphia’ in the much loved international mini-series ‘All the Rivers Run.’ We enjoy a one hour leisurely cruise as we soak in the history of the mighty Murray River and the riverboat trade as it was at the time of settlement. Following our cruise we stop off at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre. The Port of Echuca is recognised as one of Australia’s finest heritage icons. Built in 1865 by the Victorian Railways, the Port of Echuca Wharf was crucial to Echuca’s development. For many years, Echuca was the main shipbuilding centre for the river transport industry. At its peak, Echuca supported 8 sawmills and turned over up to 240 paddle-steamers a year. Today, the Port represents the pageantry of the river trade’s heyday and offers an extraordinary insight into it`s pioneering days. The Port of Echuca Discovery Centre is the starting point for our voyage of discovery. Several audio visuals, models and displays interpret the story of Australia’s inland river system and the history of Paddle-steamers, Later this afternoon we return to our motel where we enjoy dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight Echuca Moama

 

Day 3. Wed: Unique Gardens & Gourmet Trail (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Today we get an early start as we venture out on our unique gardens and gourmet trail as we travel over the river and across to Cactus Country, the largest collection of cacti in Australia. We will discover 10 acres of a spectacular garden divided into their countries of origin in eight different trails. There are no cacti native to Australia, although, as we’ll see, they feel very much at home in our environment. After our tour and morning tea we travel further east arriving at Byramine Historic Homestead which was built in 1842 by the famous explorer Hamilton Hume for his sister-inlaw, Elizabeth Hume and her nine children after her husband was murdered by Bushrangers, in Gunning NSW.
The Homestead was classified by the National Trust because of its unique design, featuring octagonal rooms. A beautiful garden was established around the homestead, the Elm trees planted by Elizabeth are the oldest in Victoria. While on site we will enjoy a tour and light lunch and will also have the opportunity to visit the Brewery and Cider House to sample beer, ciders and wines brewed and produced at Byramine. This afternoon we cover Rich Glen Olives, one of the largest family owned and operated olive groves in Australia with a planting of 36,000 olive tress. We have the opportunity to wander through the 100 year old store and browse and taste their gorgeous selection of products from their vast array of award winning Olive Oils, Dressings and Olives, Dukkahs, Jams, Beauty and Household Products. Walk back in time through ‘Pops Storge Shed’ with displays of farm machinery, historic photos and antique furniture from five generations. Our last stop of the day is at Katamatite Garlic Farm Gate Shop before returning back to our resort for dinner.

Overnight Echuca Moama: Comfort Resort Echuca Moama



Day 4. Thurs: Echuca (Breakfast & Dinner)

A stay in this part of Australia would not be complete without calling into The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum. The Great Aussie Beer Shed is one of the most unique and entertaining tourist attractions in Australia. This tour will take us right back down memory lane with an unbelievable display of Aussie Icon paraphernalia including over 17,000 beer cans from Australia and around the world. Our next stop is Sharps Magic Movie house and Penny Arcade where we can experience all of the fun of a 1930’s Penny Arcade – using real Australian Pennies. The Penny Arcade is the forerunner of today’s amusement arcades and entertained millions of people across the globe, the machines are all but extinct now and only handful of them are left. At Sharps Magic Penny Arcade and Movie House we can see 50 of the surviving machines and play them. The entertainment factor is greater than ever! As well as all the fun of the fair, we are able to watch old classic comedies such as Laurel & Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin etc on the big screen while sampling some of the best homemade fudge and Licorice Nougat. After some free time to purchase lunch we call at the National Holden Motor Museum dedicated to preserving Holden models and their memories. Echuca is home to the Nation’s largest collections of Holdens, making this private museum the largest one brand car museum in Australia. We see over 40 vehicles, including rare prototypes, historic film footage and a photographic exhibition. Later in the day we travel back to our motel for a rest before our farewell dinner.

Overnight Echuca Moama: Comfort Resort Echuca Moama


Day 5. Fri: Echuca - Shepparton SPC Factory - Kerrisdale Mountain Railway - Home Port (Breakfast & Lunch)

After check out we bid our hosts farewell as we depart Moama and cross the bridge one more time. We then continue our journey home via the SPC Factory at Shepparton before arriving at the scenic Kerrisdale Mountain Railway and Museum offering 360 degree panoramic views across the valleys. We enjoy an intriguing tour of the live steam museum, railway workshop, carriage sheds and of course a ride on the MM Locomotives. Following lunch we continue our drive, arriving back home late afternoon after a wonderful short break away discovering Echuca and surrounds with Littles Tours.

 

Tour Highlights: : Village Green & Pavillion; Echuca Moama Discovery Tour; Echuca Historical Society Museum; Historic P.S Pevensey Murray River Cruise; Port of Echuca & Port of Echuca Discovery Centre; “Unique Gardens & Gourmet Trail” - Cactus Country, Historic Byramine Homestead Tour & Lunch, Rich Glen Olives, Katamatite Garlic Farm Gate Shop; The Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum; Sharps Magic Movie House & Penny Arcade; National Holden Museum; SPC Factory Sales; Kerrisdale Mountain Railway & Museum plus more!



Tour departs: Monday 27 May - Friday 31 May 2019

Nett tour cost from: $1150.00 per person Twin Share ($248.00 Single Supplement)

Minimum 20 Paying Passengers Tour Price is Valid for Travel, 2019. Please note that itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Tour Price Includes: • Luxury coach travel • Quality accommodation • Breakfast, lunch & dinner (11 meals) • All entry fees, cruise & guides as per Itinerary

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