Travel: Echuca Moama

Junction Bar at Junction Moama – image supplied by Junction Moama

Back in April, the DC team was invited to enjoy a very special weekend away in the twin towns of Echuca Moama.

Echuca Moama is a two and a half hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD. The town of Echuca is located on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe River in Victoria, while the border town of Moama is on the northern side of the Murray River in New South Wales.

The region has a very rich history, named after the Aboriginal word for ‘meeting of the waters’. The Port of Echuca was one of the busiest on the Murray. Today, the twin towns are home to the world’s largest fleet of operating riverboats, and Echuca itself is Australia’s paddle steamer capital.

In addition to its heritage, Echuca Moama is also home to a number of fine dining restaurants and great local and regional food and wine – hence where we come in!

We were very lucky to have an itinerary planned for us over two nights and days. Below we share some highlights from our experience and reasons to return.

Thank you so much to the Kate & Co PR team and Junction Moama for making this incredible trip to Echuca Moama possible!

The DC Team.

P.S – If you have any other recommendations for the area, please let us know in the comments – we would love to hear from you!

EAT

Cauliflower fritters and the grilled haloumi at Morrison’s Winery – image by Amy Martin

A little visitor who popped in to say hello at Morrison’s Winery – image by Amy Martin

LUNCH

Morrison’s Winery & Restaurant – 2 Merool Road,  Moama

Phone ( 03) 5480 0126

We were treated to a two-course lunch at Morrison’s in this gorgeous setting as part of the Wharf to Winery package. The package takes you from Echuca Wharf via steamboat directly to Morrison’s. Standouts from lunch were the cauliflower fritters and the grilled haloumi (both pictured above).

Roasted beetroot baba ganoush dip with feta and beetroot crisps at Junction Moama

A standout dish at Junction Moama: Saffron orzo with pumpkin & goats cheese – image by Amy Martin

DINNER

Junction Moama & Junction (Bar) – 6 Shaw Street, Moama

Phone  1800 806 777

Junction Moama opened its doors in December 2014 and is a gathering place celebrating the region’s finest. Junction is a bar and dining space located on the stunning Murray River in the picturesque Echuca Moama tourist district. We were treated to a 7-course chef’s tasting menu by Junction Moama’s Head Chef Michael Giarrusso (formerly Fenix) as part of his Feed Me menu, which showcases the best of Junction Moama’s produce from the ‘border’. Highlights from this dining gem were the saffron orzo with pumpkin and goats cheese (pictured above), the roasted beetroot baba ganoush dip with feta and beetroot crisps, as well as the Jamaican jerk chicken with avocado and corn salsa, and dessert: banana rum semifreddo with salted hazelnut caramel and coffee crumble.

Consciousness: Head Chef Michael Giarrusso takes sourcing locally for his restaurant and bar menus very seriously. Given Junction Moama’s close location to growers, Michael can deal with them directly. For example, their zucchini flower supplier personally delivers orders and is able to provide an update on his crops and supply.

In terms of local produce, Junction Moama’s olive oil is from Cockatoo Grove, their fruit from The Pear Tree in Echuca and their pork comes from Bundarra Berkshire’s.

Stunning decor details at Junction – image supplied by Junction Moama

Altis Architectures and Abeo Interiors who are responsible for the Junction and Junction Moama’s aesthetic, took a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach with some of the fit-out materials, using repurposed bricks, packing crates and verandah poles.

THINGS TO DO

Explore the historic Port of Echuca on the Murray Esplanade.

Foodie sights of interest include:  Pacdon Park (a traditional British fare store),  and the Art Gallery Farmer’s Market (about a 20 minute walk from the Port area.) Note: Free parking is available in the Port area.

Wharf to Winery package

Go on a paddle steamer cruise, grab lunch and enjoy a drink and wine tasting. The Wharf to Winery package combines all of this for just $75. This can be booked online via the Murray River Paddlesteamers website.

A paddlesteamer on the Murray – image by Amy Martin

Paddlesteamer Cruise

Go on a paddle steamer cruise, it’s what the region is famous for! Cruises operate daily and tickets can be organised through the Echuca Wharf Ticket Office (57 Murray Esplanade, Echuca). More information on ticket prices here.

Sleeping in a Yurt! – image by Amy Martin