Ecuha Moama Weekend Itinerary
Arrive Friday 29 May – Arrive anytime and then meet at Barmah National Park 3:00pm – Barmah Lake Day Visitor Area (Drive time from Moama 24m). Nature lovers and photographers will adore the Barmah National Park, which is home to the world’s largest river red gum forest. These stunning trees create a natural canopy that will look beautiful in pictures, no matter the weather. You’re also likely to spot native wildlife like kangaroos, emus, and a variety of bird species to photograph. Stay for sunset (5:16pm).
Follow Cobb Hwy/B75 and Barmah Rd to Maloney St and then Moira Lakes Rd in Barmah
Address: Barmah National Park, Sand Ridge Track, Barmah
Head back to town for dinner.
Dinner – American Hotel 239-249 Hare St, Echuca VIC 3564
Saturday 30 May
Sunrise 6:45 am – Meet at Echuca Port for sunrise (sunrise 7:22am) to photograph the riverboats in the soft morning light. The historic Echuca Wharf offers wonderful vintage scenes—try experimenting with composition using the rule of thirds and leading lines. For creative effects, use a tripod for long exposures to smooth the water, or a fast shutter speed to freeze movement. You might also consider shooting panoramas to capture the wide, expansive views of the river.
Address: 72 Murray Esplanade, Echuca VIC 3564
The Port of Echuca is a living monument to the 1870s when it was the third largest port in Australia, outside Sydney and Melbourne. Authentic paddlesteamers depart daily from the Echuca Wharf, which originally extended 332 metres in length in the 1880s.
At the Port of Echuca, you can photograph the historic Echuca Wharf with its rustic timber, vintage paddle steamers, and the Murray River itself. Other photographic opportunities include capturing the riverbank during sunrise or sunset for golden hour light and photographing wildlife and the surrounding natural landscapes.
Breakfast/Coffee 8:30am – Meet at Johnny & Lyle Café 433 High St, Echuca for a quick coffee/breakfast before heading off for the River Cruise or VAPS convention.
Paddlesteamer Cruise 10:15am – Step aboard the historic PS Pevensey for a memorable one-hour cruise on the mighty Murray River. Beautifully restored, the paddle steamer offers unique opportunities to photograph the original steam engines in action and its fully restored cabins. From the deck, capture views of the Murray River’s shoreline, and as the boat departs the dock, photograph the wharf and surrounding riverfront.
Pricing $35 Adult $32 Concession. Best to book in advance.
https://www.portofechuca.com.au/cruises-experiences/river-cruises/ps-pevensey/
To photograph the riverboats in Echuca, aim for the golden hours (sunrise/sunset) for soft light, visit the historic Echuca Wharf for unique vintage shots, and experiment with composition using the rule of thirds and leading lines. For creative effects, use a tripod for long exposures to smooth the water or a fast shutter speed to freeze action, and consider taking panorama shots to capture the expansive river views.
Key tips for photographing riverboats in Echuca
- Time of day: Shoot during the “golden hours” after sunrise or before sunset for warm, soft light that enhances colours and reflections.
- Location: The Echuca Wharf is a prime spot, offering historic timber structures and vintage paddle steamers as subjects.
- Composition:
- Rule of Thirds: Place the horizon or a key element on the top or bottom third of your frame to create a more balanced image.
- Leading Lines: Use the river’s curves or the lines of the wharf to guide the viewer’s eye into the photo.
- Foreground Interest: Include elements like rocks or plants in the foreground to add depth.
- Camera settings:
- Long Exposure: Use a tripod and a slower shutter speed to create a silky, smooth effect on the water. A CPL or neutral density filter can help achieve this in bright conditions.
- Fast Shutter Speed: To freeze the action of a moving boat, use a fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/500 sec or faster) to prevent blur.
- Panorama Mode: Use your camera’s panorama feature to capture the vastness of the river and the surrounding landscape.
- Creative shots:
- Experiment with different angles and movements, such as low-speed or high-speed shots, to see what looks best.
- Consider capturing the river scene after sunset, as some photographers have captured magical blue and purple colours as the light fades.
Lunch 1:30
Sunset 3:00 pm – Kow Swamp is a significant wetlands area and archaeological site containing the world’s largest population of late Pleistocene human remains, dating back 13,000–22,000 years. It is now a protected cultural site (as of 2022), popular for birdwatching, fishing, and scenic sunsets, located near Gunbower. (sunset 5:15pm).
Address: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Rd Leitchville VIC 3567 (43m drive from Echuca)
Sunday 31 May
Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama 6:45am – Sunrise (7:22am) Horseshoe Lagoon offers a magical photogenic setting with its winding pathways, wetlands, and abundant birdlife. It’s especially beautiful during golden hour when the light reflects off the water, which is perfect for dreamy atmospheric photos. Located just over the bridge in Moama, Horseshoe Lagoon is Moama’s Wetland and Floodplain Reserve. Address: Cobb Hwy, Moama NSW
Optional Extra
Aussie Beer Shed – The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum is one of Echuca Moama’s Unique Tourist Attractions
Situated only 3k from Echuca this tour will take you 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. Other interesting and related items include tap tops, handles, barrels, bottles, signs, brewery manufacturing equipment and machinery. As you stroll through the Museum you will also see a huge assortment of iconic Aussie products, brand names and machinery like old petrol Bowsers, washing machines, a Coca Cola Collection, kitchen and laundry items and even a partially restored WW1 canon.
377 Mary Ann Rd, Echuca VIC 3564
Things to see.
The National Holden Museum
Address: 7-11 Warren St, Echuca Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 5pm Price: $10
The Chanter Estate Winery and Military Museum
Address: 154 Chanter St, Moama Opening Hours: 10am to 4:30pm (Sat & Sun)
Echuca Chocolate Company
614 High Street, Echuca, Victoria, 3564