Exploring Echuca VIC.

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When we left in November the plan was to explore Victoria. Well we've crossed the Murray River and have only just touched down to our destination. We travel at a relaxed pace and do as we please, Victoria will still be here when we explore the state more fully.

Finding Betts Beach near Echuca to camp was simply delightful until we realised it was a long weekend in Victoria and in rolled the masses. Entertainment was on tap for us, people watching and chatting to locals but we are secretly pleased they've cleared out tonight and we can get back to our old fart lifestyle.

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Photos

Betts Beach
Our private sanctuary, alfresco breakfast. Pleased with our choice of spot.

Private and Shady
Mmm, lovely spot close to the river.

What Long Weekend?
This is how close they camped, looking out of our window. Funny Dave was complaining about the noise, I had ear plugs and had a great nights sleep. I think he just wished he was that young again.

Taj Mahal
People and constructions on our beach. Plus proof, Dave does get wet.

Groups Everywhere
We decided we'd let the young families and groups of friends stay so we could watch all the fun on the river.

House Boat Set
The Mature, Executive Style Folk could be found inhabiting House Boats, taking spa baths and drinking champs. High end river dwellers.

Action Jackson
Young adults, usually Tradies were happy to speed in their boats usually with loud music blaring over their engines. Competitive lot! Mines bigger than yours....

Wake Boarding
Teenagers all used wake boards. We very rarely saw a skiier.

Jet Skis
Of course jet skis were a constant.

Knee Boards
Heaps of kids around 10 to 12 years were knee boarding. Quite a family affair.

The Tubes
Kids of all ages loved these floats.

Float Fun
Back and forth they'd go.

Personal Fav
So my personal favourite is Pogo Stick Man, or so we named him. He was up and down the river on this stick thing.

Times are Changing
The speed boats were fitted with racks for their boards, all very high tech.

Wet Suits?
They seem to wear vests but not the wet suit bottoms we were always told we had to wear.

The Plebs
Then of course there are the blokes with their fishing tinnies. Definitely on the lower end of the socio economic scale of river traffic.

Port of Echuca
Gorgeous quaint working Port. Founded in 1853 as a flourishing town with a fleet of Paddle Steamers transporting wool downriver and eventually to Melbourne.

PS Canberra
Lilly was allowed on the Paddle Streamer but she was unimpressed. It was wood fired, hot, noisy and she couldn't see. Poor shattered possum.

Port Wharf
Beautiful Red Gum wharf and it is built like this to accomodate different flood levels of the Murray.

Aye Aye Skipper
Currently the river is 4-8 metres deep and the PS can run on half a metre of water. Amazing really.

PS Pevensy
Also known as PS Philadelphia in the TV mini series "All the Rivers Run".

Different Levels
This style of wharf is seen along the river and make great jumping towers for the kids.

Old World Charm
Echuca still has the largest fleet of Paddle Steamers in operation in Australia. I loved these cute little ones.

Braved It
I forgot to mention, there were the poorly canoers and kayakers who couldn't even afford a motor, so we shouldn't really get a mention. Yes we stoically kayaked 3km up stream and back while they sprayed us in their wake.

Smarty Pants
See what I mean.... zoom.....spray..... waves.

Rest Spot
It's been a great stay but glad they've all gone home. Ahhh!

Comments

[Jane]

loved the photos & the comments to explain the photos. Must have been fun people watching.

[lonierangers]

definitely
Yes it was Jane but have enjoyed the quietness of our next place.