Murray River Cruises

Murray River cruises from Echuca put you on the water in a paddlesteamer, the type of boat that carried cargo and passengers along the river in the 1800s. The cruises here run from the Port of Echuca, and a winery lunch cruise is a good example of what to expect. The wider things to do in the Murray River region are on the region page.

Cruising the Murray from the Port of Echuca

The Murray rises in the Snowy Mountains and runs about 2,530 kilometres, making it the main stream of the Murray-Darling Basin. Echuca is one of the towns on its banks, and the Port of Echuca is where that paddlesteamer history still shows.

A paddlesteamer cruise is a slow way to see it. You move at river pace, listen to the captain's commentary and watch the banks from indoor and outdoor viewing decks, with Echuca seen from the river rather than the shore.

A paddlesteamer cruise with a winery lunch

The Wharf to Winery cruise with lunch is run by Murray River Paddlesteamers aboard the historic PS Canberra. Boarding is at the Riverboat Dock on Watson Street, Echuca, at 11.15am for an 11.30am departure.

The boat makes a 30-minute cruise downstream to Morrisons Restaurant and Winery. Lunch is two courses, an entree and a main from a selected menu, with a complimentary glass of local wine and wine tastings. The return leaves at 1.45pm for a 30-minute trip back to Echuca, which makes it a 3-hour outing in all. On Saturdays the boat used for the return leg may vary.

Before boarding you need a boarding pass and the menu selection sheet, both collected from the ticket office at 57 Murray Esplanade in the Port of Echuca. The group size is capped at 34 people, and tickets are sold for adults and children.

Making a day of it in Echuca

The cruise leaves from the Port of Echuca and fills the middle of the day, so it pairs well with something on land on another day. The 90-minute guided eBike tour of Echuca Moama meets nearby on Murray Esplanade and covers the paddlesteamer era from the riverbank.

For gardens and other places to visit along the river, see the attractions in the Murray region.

Frequently asked questions

Where do Murray River cruises from Echuca depart?

The Wharf to Winery cruise with lunch boards at the Riverboat Dock on Watson Street, Echuca, at 11.15am for an 11.30am departure.

How long does the Wharf to Winery cruise take?

The Wharf to Winery cruise with lunch is a 3-hour outing, including a 30-minute cruise downstream to Morrisons Restaurant and Winery, lunch, and a 30-minute return to Echuca.

What is included on a Murray River winery lunch cruise?

The Wharf to Winery cruise includes the paddlesteamer cruise to Morrisons Winery, a 2-course lunch of an entree and main from a selected menu, a complimentary glass of local wine and wine tastings.

Do I need a boarding pass for the Wharf to Winery cruise?

Yes. You need a Wharf to Winery boarding pass and the menu selection sheet to board, both collected from the ticket office at 57 Murray Esplanade in the Port of Echuca.

How many people go on the Wharf to Winery cruise?

The Wharf to Winery cruise with lunch runs with a maximum of 34 people.

Can I cancel a Wharf to Winery cruise booking?

The Wharf to Winery cruise with lunch lists free cancellation up to one day before the experience, so check the cancellation policy on the product page when you book.

Book a Murray River cruise from Echuca online and see the Port of Echuca from the water.