King's Birthday weekend in Echuca

Enjoy a long weekend of activities in Echuca/Moama over the King's Birthday holiday weekend, from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th June. Echuca and Moama are effectively the same town, within easy walking distance of each other. Echuca is on the Victorian side of the Murray River and Moama is on the NSW side.

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Various, depending on the activities undertaken - a range of activities will be on offer.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We have booked some accommodation in Echuca as outlined below. There are lots of interesting walk options as well as other activities such as a Murray River Boat Cruise. The activities undertaken will depend on the weather forecast and the wishes of the participants.

Meals can either be taken in the accommodation (where kitchen and dining facilities are available) or around the town of Echuca (or across the NSW border in Moama), which both have lots of dining options available.

It is envisaged that everybody will travel to and from Echuca by public transport, after which all activities will be undertaken within walking distance of the accommodation. If somebody wishes to drive, that's absolutely fine. If you're feeling tired, many dining venues provide courtesy buses to transfer you to and from your accommodation.

BOOKING: By Friday 22 May, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out. Payment will be requested by 22 May, after which refunds can only be provided if somebody is able to take your place. To register click on Get Tickets.

• VISITORS should purchase a 1-month Temporary Membership (cost $8) prior to booking for this weekend.
• WAITING LIST: Accommodation is limited, but a Waiting List will be available. If needed, we'll endeavour to book additional accommodation, but it will probably be more expensive. You can also organise your own accommodation and join the group for each day's activities (in which case you should purchase a DAYTIME ACTIVITIES ONLY ticket).
• BED PARTNERS: A second person can occupy a queen bed at no additional charge. If wanting to share a queen bed with your partner, please specify their first and last name in the PARTNER NAME field, but do NOT purchase a separate ticket for your partner.
• PAYMENT: No payment is required at the time of booking, but payment will be requested subsequently (you'll be able to use PayID to the leader's phone number, or you can bring cash if you prefer). The prices quoted for each ticket are the expected prices assuming all beds are filled. If some beds are unoccupied, the prices may be slightly higher.
• CRUISE (optional): Our itinerary will allow you to (optionally) take a 1-hour cruise on a 1923 wood-fired paddle steamer (highly recommended if you haven't done this previously; cost $35 full or $32 concession). If you wish to do that, you should book your own ticket for the Sunday 7 June 10:15am PS Canberra Cruise. We suggest you book the cruise by around 24 May if planning to do it.
• TRAIN: Book your (extremely inexpensive) train travel on the vline.com.au website (depart Southern Cross at 7:40am on Sat 6 June, depart Echuca at 4:07pm on Monday 8 June).
• Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings.

POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES: The walks and other itineraries are still being investigated, but there are lots of interesting tracks beside the Murray and Campaspe Rivers. See Echuca Day Walks for some potential itineraries. (We'll undoubtedly mix and match various different circuits). There are also many other activities including: Port of Echuca Discovery Centre (admission free) | Echuca Distillery (Gin, Vodka, Agave & Whisky Crafted in Echuca Moama), 555 High St, Echuca | The Echuca Farmer's Markets on Saturday 6th June 8:30am to 1pm in Heygarth St | The Moama Market on Sunday 7th June 8am to 1pm at Kerrabee Soundshell, Moama. 

COSTS:

• ACCOMMODATION: There will be accommodation costs as specified on the ticketing option that you select (unless you're arranging your own accommodation).
• MEALS: Many group meals will be organised at venues around Echuca, but you will also be able to dine at your accommodation whenever you prefer (for example, most people will probably have breakfast at their accommodation). 
• TOURS: The optional river cruise costs $35 full or $32 concession - you need to book your own ticket (for the cruise at 10:15am on Sunday 7 June). 
• TRANSPORT: Daily fares will be capped at $5.70 full or $2.85 concession to anywhere in Victoria (a Myki card will be required). Weekend travel is free for seniors, carers, and those with a disability support pension. (As a Victorian Senior, I was only charged $4 for the return trip).

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7:20am at Southern Cross Station on Saturday to catch the 7:40am Regional Train to Swan Hill, changing at Bendigo for a Regional Train to Echuca. 

MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/E1mPtPFjAH7j6hLY8. 

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 225 km, approximately 3 hours 20 minutes by public transport.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: 

• OUTBOUND: We will take the Regional Train to Swan Hill departing from Southern Cross at 7:40am, then change in Bendigo for the Regional Train to Echuca, which arrives at 11:18am.
• Other options include the Regional Train to Shepparton departing from Southern Cross at 9:16am and changing at Murchison East for a coach to Echuca, arriving at 12:46pm, or the Regional Train to Echuca departing from Southern Cross at 12:02pm, arriving in Echuca at 3:15pm.
• RETURN: We will take the Regional Train departing from Echuca at 4:07pm on Monday, arriving at Southern Cross at 7:29pm
• Other options include a Regional Train departing from Echuca at 12:07pm, arriving at Southern Cross at 3:29pm or a Regional Coach for Murchison East departing from Echuca at 3:07pm, then changing to a Regional Train for Southern Cross that arrives at 6:37pm.

ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: We were unable to secure enough accommodation at a single venue, so bookings have been made at the venues listed below (and shown on this Nomads King's Birthday Locations in Echuca map). Note that queen beds/private rooms can be shared between two people for no additional cost. Check-in for all venues is after 2pm, and check-out is by 11am.

• Annesley House AirBnB: A 4 bedroom house at 71 Annesley St, Echuca (700m from Echuca Station). Three rooms have a queen bed; the fourth room has two single beds. Total Cost Estimate (2 nights): Private room $206 | Single Bed $100.
• Echuca Motel: Apartment at 268 Ogilvie Ave, Echuca (2 km from Echuca Station): Two rooms each with a queen bed plus a single bed. Total Cost Estimate (2 nights): $125 per bed.
• Nirebo Motel: Family room at 542 High St, Echuca (1.3 km from Echuca Station): Room has a double bed plus two single beds. Total Cost Estimate (2 nights): $125 per bed.
• River St AirBnb: A room that has 2 single beds in a private house (1.1 km from Echuca Station). Use of 2 bicycles available and breakfast is provided. Total Cost estimate (2 nights): $139 per bed. 

FOOD: Food will generally be purchased in Echuca, either dining at local venues, or purchased from local supermarkets to dine at our accommodation. At least one communal BBQ will probably be organised at the Annesley House accommodation.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Echuca is generally drier than Melbourne, and tends to be cooler at night but warmer during the day. Travel as lightly as possible - bedding and towels are supplied. Just bring changes of clothing for the three days, including contingencies for cold or wet weather.

LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. 
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

 

HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS