Despite the cold and cloudy weather, visitors have continued to pour into the Port of Echuca over the past week.
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With school holidays also on, the port has been teeming with kids getting involved in the port's holiday activities such as their boat making workshop, pirate day and adventure tours.
On Friday, July 11, The Riv was on site at the Port to speak to visitors about what brings them to town.
Rhonda Cumner and Carolyn Dixon
While Ms Cumner and Ms Dixon hail from the nearby town of Yarrawonga, it is Ms Cumner’s first time visiting Echuca.
The pair came for an overnight trip to do some sightseeing and stopped by the port on their journey.
Ms Cumner lived on the Gold Coast for 30 years and relocated back to Victoria for a change of weather.
She said Echuca was a great place to visit.
“We wanted to explore this part of the country,” she said.
“I’ve only moved recently down (to Yarrawonga) and just found time to explore.
“It’s great here, I love the atmosphere... I noticed there’s a lot of nice pubs too.”
Arthur and Helen Petersen
Arthur and Helen Petersen visited Echuca to enjoy a three-day cruise on the PS Emmylou.
They are from Bairnsdale, in East Gippsland, about six hours’ drive from Echuca.
They had never been to Echuca before they decided to come for the river cruise, and so they were spending their Friday exploring the history of the port.
Mrs Petersen she was looking forward to the Echuca experience.
“We’re excited for the local food and wine, it’ll be a good time,” she said.
Paul and Dianne Willetts
As a tourist coach driver, Paul Willetts has seen many towns while on the job, including Echuca.
This time around, he brought his wife with him to enjoy the sights and to take a cruise on the PS Emmylou.
Mr Willetts said he had always wanted to experience a paddlesteamer cruise.
“I’ve been here quite often... but I’ve always wanted to do a cruise,” he said.
Mrs Willetts that while their time so far in Echuca had been enjoyable, they were hoping rain steered clear.
“It’s been really good, very slow and steady, relaxed and not rushed,” she said.
“We just want the rain not to come... we don’t mind if it rains at night, but not daytime!”
The couple did a road trip from Port Macquarie, stopping in Gundagai and Junee, before arriving in Echuca for the cruise.
Nikita Sanghanee
Melbourne resident Nikita Sanghanee took a day trip to Echuca with her husband and son, hoping to catch a glimpse of the PS Adelaide.
Mrs Sanghanee said her son was a fan of all things steam machinery.
“The main thing my son wanted to do, because he has a book which has the Echuca Port in there, so he wanted to see the paddlesteamers,” she said.
“He’s really interested, he likes the history and the olden time stuff... so this was the perfect place to bring him.”
Mrs Sanghanee and her family took their time exploring the different buildings in the port and seeing the steam engines and paddlesteamers in action.
Margaret Guthrie
Margaret Guthrie did a six-hour trip from Churchill in the Gippsland region to visit some friends in Echuca.
She made the most of her trip by stopping in at the Port of Echuca to learn more about the port’s history.
While many visit the port for the paddlesteamers, Ms Guthrie said it was the log processing machinery on display at the port that drew her in.
“Once upon a time, I worked for the timber workers’ union and had a particular interest in historical development of the machinery in the timber (industry),” she said.
“My son is also very passionate about steam, so as a mother you get to know lots of things about steam engines and steam power machinery.
“So this particular steam-powered log processing setup is of interest to me because of those sorts of connections.
“It'd be lovely to see it operational, but at least you can wander around, see it and read the signage.”