Echuca

Echuca is a port town on the Murray River in Victoria (Australia), just opposite the sister city Moama. She uses her former relative size as a cargo port today for tourism. The name of the 13,000 -inhabitant city means in the Aboriginal language " meeting of the waters". In Echuca open two smaller rivers ( Goulburn River and Campaspe River) in the Murray River, the largest river in Australia.

A sort of living exhibition about the heyday of the city allows an insight into the conditions at the time of the Victorian gold rush, and an impressive collection of old, some beautifully restored paddle steamers used for tourist rides.

• 2.1 Njernda Aboriginal Cultural Centre
• 2.2 Port of Echuca
• 2.3 World in Wax
• 2.4 National Holden Motor Museum

History

Origin and foundation

Echuca was founded by Henry Hopwood, an ex - convict. In 1850 he bought a small ferry on the Murray River. It developed a small settlement, initially under the name Hopwood 's Ferry. Later, the village gave the name of Echuca. The post office under the name Hopwood 'Ferry opened in 1854 and was renamed on 1 January 1855 in Echuca.

The European settlers treated the Native relatively well, but her life changed yet decisively by contact with the whites. By the late 1820s they had been decimated by smallpox and in 1850 they discovered European goods such as bread, tobacco and especially alcohol. They were pushed to the margins of society and lived on the banks of the Murray River. Occasionally, they took part in the economic life of the whites as fishermen or farm workers or they sold Opossumdecken which they themselves had made ​​. Within a few decades, their lifestyle had significantly compared to their ancestors changed.

In the 1870s, Echuca was known as the largest inland port in Australia. Since this city is located at the Melbourne closest point of the Murray River, it was not only developed into an important river port, but also to the railway junction. Steamer put on the 400 m long quay and goods were unloaded, which were transported by railway to Melbourne. Wool, wheat, other grains, livestock and wood were the main cargo. The wharf was added to the list of historically important places of Australia.

Industrialization led to a rapid increase in population up to 15,000 inhabitants. The city is said to have had over a hundred pubs and hotels. In 1870 an iron bridge over the Murray River was built.

Decline

The expansion of rail and road networks and often low water levels of the Murray River resulted in Echuca lost its importance. In the 1890s the fleet of paddle steamers already took off again. An economic depression and the collapse of several banks finally ended Echucas role as a major trading center and the population moved away. Today Echuca thrives on tourism.

Attractions

Njernda Aboriginal Cultural Centre

This museum in the old courthouse on Law Place presents vividly the life and art of the Australian Aborigines dar. The building also houses a museum shop, the arts and crafts of Aboriginal people is sold.

Port of Echuca

The old port with its dock and its two historic buildings can be explored with a ticket. With included is a visit to an escape tunnel for bootleggers at the Star Hotel, the so escaped the police.

Near the harbor you will find other attractions. The Red Gum Works, a historic sawmill, the Coach House with his carriage collection and Sharp's Macic Movie House, with its vintage slot machines and old movies.

World in Wax

It is the Madame Tussauds from Echuca: the World in Wax. Almost 70 wax figures, from the Pope to the "Crocodile Dundee " Paul Hogan heroes, can be admired here.

National Holden Motor Museum

The only museum of Holden cars in Australia is on Warren Street near the Port of Echuca. Temporary exhibitions Holden vehicles can be visited from 1948 until today in the private museum.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Travis Fimmel, Australian fashion model and actor