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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

Discover the best wineries and distilleries in Echuca Moama

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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Taking the route less travelled along the Great Ocean Road

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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    The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns. 

    It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach, the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.  

    Bells Beach
    Bells Beach is known for its epic surf break and is at the start of the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet 

    Split Point Lighthouse
    The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road. Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.  

    Split point lookout
    The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.  

    This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities. 

    Lorne to Birregurra 

    Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park, which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.  

    Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.  

    From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.  

    Erskine Falls
    Erskine Falls is one of many falls within a day trip of Lorne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae, helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.  

    Brae restaurant
    Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Apollo Bay to The Otways 

    Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.  

    A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.  

    Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles 

    Twelve Apostles
    One of the famous Twelve Apostles, limestone sea stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. (Image: Ben Savage)

    The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.    

    It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.  

    The Grotto
    The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.  

    Port Campbell to Timboon 

    Timboon Fine Ice Cream
    Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

    Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.  

    Warrnambool to Port Fairy 

    Warrnambool building
    A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

    In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.  

    Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.  

    The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.    

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Staying there

    Oak & Anchor
    The Oak & Anchor in Port Fairy.

    The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit. 

    The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip. 

    Eating there

    The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.  

    Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.