kiwibird: Echuca Moama - an old port on the Murray River

Echuca Moama are twin towns. Echuca is the larger town on the Victorian side of the river and Moama is the smaller town on the New South Wales side of the river. Once Echuca was the only town mentioned in brochures but I think the people of Moama became disgruntled with being overlooked and decided they wanted to be included too.

We are staying at a caravan park in Moama!

Yesterday was a very hot and unpleasant day, with the temperature reaching 34 degrees. Piper, especially did not cope, so she received plenty of cold water being poured on her plus a wet towel to lie on. Then at midnight the storm hit, with flashes of lightening and loud thunder, plus heavy rain. Piper was beside herself, terrified in fact, and would not settle. Naturally we were all awake most of the night, until the storm fizzled out at 5 a.m.

The cool air this morning was such a relief after two days of hot weather. And tonight the temperature will drop to its normal 5 to 7 degrees. Great sleeping weather.

The traditional owners of this land are the Yorta Yorta people, and the waters of the river are sacred to them with many of their beliefs, traditions and stories extending from it.

The first European settles arrived in Moama about 1845, and developed rapidly due to the livestock market. Not long after that a port and boat building industry was established, with paddle steamers travelling the length of the river.

A man waiting patiently for a paddle steamer to take him to his destination.

The Murray River, looking a murky green here, as against a murky brown at our last stop, Wood Wood.

The main street at the Port of Echuca, with its gravel road, and old buildings. There were plenty of shopping interest in the buildings, souvenirs, wine, clothes and food. There was a cost to take a trip on a paddle steamer for an hour, but the museum and entry to the wharf area was free. And dogs were welcome to the museum area. We were most impressed.

Piper obviously picked up an interesting scent, which was more important than having her photograph taken by Walter.

The flood levels on the tree. The wharf was built initially to allow for the river to rise or fall, so the top level is extremely high. At the moment the river level is very low.

An interesting array of rubber thongs (flip flops, jandels) nailed to the tree.

The old railway station, with the train beside it.

The upper level of the wharf, with the water metres below.

A very large and heavy 'U bolt". I am fascinated with 'u bolts' after one broke on the caravan axle on the Eyre Highway. We have just bought a tiny one to hold the restraining cord on the side of my bed.

I wonder what this one was used for.

I went for a lovely walk this evening, on the board walk over the wetlands of the Horseshoe Lagoon, which is part of the Murray River.

The Horseshoe Lagoon.

Yesterday we went for a short walk around the city centre, which was very pleasant, except for the parking meters on every street. I ended up parking out of town in one of the supermarket car parks. Now, would it not be better to encourage people to shop in the city centre rather than in the outlying big name shops.

Of course the meters require either coins, which we do not carry, or worse still an app on the telephone, which I had great difficulty organising at such short notice. Not impressed.

Luckily there was no charge for parking at the wharf area.

A beautiful old church.