Echuca

Echuca is a town located on the Murray River in Victoria

'Hopwood's Ferry'
Echuca was founded by an ex-convict, Henry Hopwood. In 1850, he bought a small boat that operated on the Murray River. The settlement which became known as 'Hopwood's Ferry' became Echuca in 1855. During the 1850s, Aborigines started to make their way into 'civilization' by enjoying European luxury with Tobacco, Bread and more. They started to sell Possum Rugs on the banks of the Murray River.

The 'Inland Port'
By the 1870s, Echuca became a key river port and was the shortest distance between the Murray River and Melbourne. Steam Paddleboats would arrive each day at the Echuca Wharf to unload their cargo and transport it by rail to Melbourne. The Wharf has become heritage listed.

Downfall
By the late 19th Century, Railways were being expanded throughout Victoria also with road improvements and more which all contributed to the Downfall of Echuca. By the Great Depression, the collapse of Echuca's bank finally led to the population to disperse the downfall of a once prosperous place

Trivia

 * Echuca's Sister City is Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada