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The best accommodation for a comfortable stay in Echuca Moama

Hannah Ralph Hannah Ralph
In a land ruled by holiday parks and caravan sites, a handful of boutique stays show you can do things differently…

It’s true – there’s no shortage of holiday parks in Echucha Moama. NRMA Echuca Holiday Park, Moama Riverside Holiday & Tourist Park and BIG4 Moama Holiday Park are all up there on the ‘most popular’ podium, while Discovery Parks offers the most choice, with a whopping five resorts in this area alone. These accommodations combine all the requisite ingredients for a fabulous family holiday – pools, playgrounds, picnic areas and BBQs, plus communal kitchens and ample room arrangements. All of them have easy (if not direct) access to the river, as well as powered sites for the motor-homing, caravanning collective.

However, if you’re looking for accommodation in Echuca Moama outside of the holiday park circuit, we know of some charming options that fit the bill.

In short

All the properties below have our seal of approval, but if we had to crown a standout, it’d be the box-ticking Quest Echuca – super central, contemporary interiors, and excellent value.

Charlotte’s Cottage

the exterior of Charlotte’s Cottage, Echuca
The charming Charlotte’s Cottage boasts country-style allure.

Best for: Space-seekers

And the award for chicest Airbnb goes to… Yes, Charlotte’s Cottage is a veritable Victorian fantasy that we could, gladly, live in forever. Originally built as a private school in 1871, it’s a special mix of historic charm and modern comfort that’s located just off Echuca’s main high street – wedged between the Murray and Campaspe rivers. The beautifully restored property attracts repeat visitors with oodles of space, particularly prevalent in the three lovingly designed bedrooms (two doubles, one twin) showing off their own private ensuite. It’s also a multi-season sanctuary, thanks to electric blankets and a split system air conditioning that can heat or cool, with multiple lounges and an outdoor courtyard that make it extremely easy to forgo the outside world. A quiet slice of town and ample street parking complete a blissfully stress-free stay.

Address: 16 Connelly St, Echuca VIC 3564

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Quest Echuca

the dining and living room with a balcony at Quest Echuca
The sleek, serviced apartments come with fully equipped kitchens and private balconies. (Image: Quest Echuca)

Best for: Modern travellers

Right in the heart of town – close enough to the American Hotel’s live music to stroll over and get involved, yet far enough away not to hear a thing – Quest Echuca joins the Mercure Port of Echuca as the only two big brand hotels in town. The difference? While the Mercure is starting to show its age, Quest feels squeaky-clean and refreshingly modern. It’s also not offering mere rooms, but sleek, serviced apartments that come with fully equipped kitchens (kitchenette in the studios), laundry facilities and – in some cases – private balconies. Just beyond the car park, there’s a small pool with loungers – the terracotta spire of St Mary’s Catholic Church peeking in the background of your morning swim. And while you won’t find any on-site dining, the Quest team will fetch your groceries for you; if you get them a list early enough, they’ll even have it ready for when you arrive.

Address: 25-29 Heygarth St, Echuca VIC 3564

Goolwa River Retreat

an outdoor fire pit at Goolwa River Retreat, Echuca
Sit around the outdoor fire pit while toasting marshmallows. (Image: Goolwa River Retreat)

Best for: Slow living romantics

A twenty minute-drive west of Echuca, Goolwa’s countryside cabins sit on an unbeatable stretch of the Murray toward the Gunbower National Park. Complete with a private pontoon, pristine lawns rolling down to the water and fairy lights strung through the river gums, Goolwa is at once romantic, family-friendly and a sweet spot for larger groups (three of the five accommodations sleep six). The newest additions – a pair of two-bedroom villas – are a picture of A-frame gorgeousness, and have a couple of the best shower rooms we’ve ever seen. The porches are equally dreamy, with circular fire pits, al-fresco barbecues, and even an outdoor bath. Arriving to a dedicated reception, you’ll likely meet Goolwa’s delightful owners, Nicole and Rob, who can help make your stay extra wholesome with free-to-use kayaks, bikes, paddle boards and fishing rods.

Address: 150 Sexton Rd, Torrumbarry VIC 3562

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CocknBull Boutique Hotel Echuca

a cosy bedroom at CocknBull Boutique Hotel Echuca
This boutique hotel is a well-appointed option for a comfortable stay.

Best for: A warm welcome

It might not have the most modern accommodations inside, but the atmosphere at CocknBull Boutique Hotel is special – the kind of place that’ll you’ll stroll past, peek into, and wish you were a part of. One warm Echua evening, we found the hotel’s wine bar buzzing with guests clinking glasses and fire pits flickering beside the riverbank. That warmth is echoed by owners Russell and Julie, who lay on a fabulous afternoon tea and keep the self-catered apartments topped up with the necessities. Many of these overlook the Campaspe River and walking trail right next door, while a lush outdoor pool and garden only add to that home-away-from-home feeling. Sure, parking can be a little tight, but the hotel is on the desirably quieter end of town – close to everything that matters but without the late-night noise.

Address: 17/21 Warren St, Echuca VIC 3564

Golden River Motor Inn

a look inside the bedroom at Golden River Motor Inn, Moama
This classic Aussie motel offers comfortable beds in each suite. (Image: Golden River Motor Inn)

Best for: No-frills excellence

The low-slung exteriors, the brick walls, the promise of a pool tucked away out back… There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a classic Aussie motel, and the Golden River Motor Inn delivers exactly this air of history and expedience. Only a few doors down from the brilliant restaurants of the Moama Bowling Club complex, this motel has loyal fans leaving glowing reviews across every platform. You’ll spot them raving about spotless rooms, comfy beds and fantastic showers – not always the case at your average motel. Above-and-beyond service is also part of the package: from effortless upgrades to a gloriously helpful reception. Whichever room you pick, it’ll come with a Nespresso machine, split-system air con, kitchen facilities and 50-inch smart TV, but there’s only one room with a spa bath. Fear not, though – the pool is waiting for you out back.

Address: 34 Meninya Street, Moama NSW 2731

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Hannah Ralph
Hannah Ralph is an award-winning travel editor turned freelance writer. She’s currently chasing stories across Australia, until reality (and her inexplicable fondness for chilly British weather) demands a return to the UK, where her globe-trotting career began more than a decade ago. Following a formative start as Features Assistant at The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Hannah went on to hone her aviation chops for several years on the British Airways editorial team, serving as Editor and Deputy Editor on numerous titles, including the flagship in-flight mag, High Life. She later returned to The Times and Sunday Times as an in-house Travel Writer. Now freelance, Hannah finds herself a roaming reporter with bylines for Mr & Mrs Smith, The Telegraph, Business Traveller UK, National Geographic Traveller, Eurostar’s Metropolitan magazine, and more. Her mission? To track down all of Australia’s greatest, most unforgettable stays – and live what might just be the most glamorous gap year yet.
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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

    It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

    The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

    surfers at Bells Beach in Australia
    Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

    True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road. These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

    huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach
    Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

    an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach
    Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver, which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

    surfers out at Bells Beach
    Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

    Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

    Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay
    The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum. Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

    surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

    surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

    surfing at Bells Beach
    The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)