At Lake Boga a fabulous silo painting celebrates the Catalina flying boats and the squadron servicing them which was located at Lake Boga. There's a museum dedicated to the flying boats here also.
Shortly afterwards I met the local constabulary - and was breathalysed - stopping people early on a Sunday morning took 3 police cars and 7 officers!
Echuca was a hive of activity! The Port of Echuca offers a glimpse into how important the inland rivers were to the early settlers, towns and prosperity of the young country. In it's time Echuca was a huge port: it's wharf handled wool, timber and every commodity needed or desired by the growing population. Riverboats provided the transport travelling far inland at the whim of the rivers. The footprint of the Port today represents a tiny portion of what was here back in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Wharf has three levels now and stretches less than a third of it's original length. The craftsmanship is amazing.
The riverboats still ply the rivers but now their cargoes are tourists eager to experience a little of the nostalgia and romance of the river.
Many of the steam boats were built at Goolwa and have served a variety of purposes, timber and wool barges, cargo vessels, houseboats, transportation, even a floating church. And film stars!
The Pevensy became the Adelaide and starred in the series "All the rivers run" with Sigrid Thornton and John Waters.
Restoration of these old timers has been a labour of love : some from derelict, water sodden wrecks to serving new generations enjoying the river.
Sitting on a wool bale watching the river banks slip by, passing luxurious houseboats, tinnies and everything in between was an experience I couldn't resist..
