Port of Echuca Accessible Walk

Port of Echuca Accessible Walk created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

This return walk or roll on the Murray River through the historic Port of Echuca will keep you fascinated. The paddle-steamers and houseboats on the water and the heritage precinct above are great.

Description

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The Port of Echuca is a place of modern houseboats, paddle steamer river tours, a fascinating heritage area and riverside parkland. Everyone can enjoy this walk on foot or rolling with mobility aids.

Paths are generally flat, sealed or compacted quartz sand and wide enough for side-by-side travel, passing and wheelchairs to turn. It is easy to follow this walk beside the Murray River. Direction signs are limited. The walk includes an accessible historic streetscape. Only service vehicles may enter.

Edges have drop offs to surfaces such as mulch, grass, dirt, drains and levee bank slopes.

The western ramps to the river and the eastern path below the Moama bridge have a mild slope. Some manual wheelchair users may require assistance. There is a tactile ramped crossing at the service driveway to the houseboat moorings without markings.

Bollards are unpainted wood with gaps greater than 1.2 meters.
No steps or overhead obstacles were encountered. There are branches above.

The old port rail is embedded in asphalt crossings. Be aware of lips / gaps.
The northwestern corner of the lake path has a moderate camber toward the riverside bank. Here the map returns.

Car parks are along the path for collection from shorter distances. Mobile phone coverage is good.

Rest areas
The area is generally well maintained. There is tree shade with exposed stretches in between. BBQ shelters with roll under tables are provided. Not all picnic facilities and bins are easily accessible. The historic area has many interesting and accessible features. Views to the river are great from within the accessible outdoor museum area. Refreshments are available from shops.
Seating is provided along the path, some with back and armrests.
1 drinking fountain is located at the houseboat quay via ramps. It is not fully accessible. Carry water.

There is an accessible toilet at the start of the walk and more along the path.

Dogs must be leashed, cyclists may share paths. The river is subject to flooding.

Public Transport
Bus No. 4 stops at Warren St 100m across a roundabout from Watson St. The stop has a ramp and information signage, no shelter. Footpaths are sealed, unmarked road crossing is necessary.

Parking
There is accessible parking on Watson St with protected side space. Murray Esplanade also has accessible spaces.

The following photos and descriptions provide more information regarding accessibility. Conditions change. If you notice any variations, please let us know.

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“Together More Active: accessible walking trails for people with disability” is a partnership between Victoria Walks, Disability Sport & Recreation and Regional Sport Victoria.

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Points of Interest

1. Accessible parking

At the start of the walk Watson St offers 1 tactile ramped large accessible space with some protected side space direct to the path. There is another on the driveway to the boathouse moorings.

2. Accessible toilets

There are accessible toilets throughout the walk. This one at the very start was clean. It has a door width of 890mm and a floor area of 2.35x2.35 meters.

3. Houseboat moorings ramp

You can get down to the riverside and houseboat moorings via accessible switchback ramps with a mild incline. Manual wheelchair users may require some assistance due to their length.

4. Drinking water

No fully accessible water fountains were found. This one is at the houseboat moorings at the bottom of the access ramp.

5. Paddle-steamers

There are great views of the river and sightings of restored paddle-steamers take you back to a bygone era.

6. Shelters

There are accessible shelters with roll under tables, BBQs and bins at the driveway entry from Watson St to the houseboat moorings.

7. Laneways to High St

Getting from the historic precinct to the city centre is easy via a number of accessible laneways. This one provides shelter, seating and green space. All sorts of refreshment options are available.

8. Deep in history

You can dig deep into the history of the Port by taking your time to visit the many heritage buildings and the fascinating Discovery Centre on your walk or roll.

9. Discovery Centre

There are engrossing displays and great views along the river at the accessible Discovery Centre in the historic precinct. Entry is free.

10. Historic precinct accessibility

The historic precinct has sealed and compacted quartz surfaces. There can be lips where surfaces change. Footpaths and the road are accessible (service vehicles only).

11. Alternative accessible parking

Alternative drop off and collection options for shorter walks are available. There are other ramped accessible spaces (note the scoop drain to the rear here) and many general parking spaces.

12. Parkland

Once past the Port you enter the riverside parkland full of grand River Red Gums.

13. Weather

Much of the path is exposed to the weather. Echuca can get hot and outdoor drinking water fountains along the path are scarce. Carry water.

14. The old port railway line

The tracks of the old port railway are embedded in asphalt. There is a mild slope as you cross and lips are present. Some manual wheelchair users may require assistance.

15. The path

Path surfaces vary from sealed to compacted, 1.5 to 2.4 meters wide. They are generally flat. Below Heygarth St is a mild slope beside the lake. Some manual wheelchair users may require assistance.

16. Map sign

The path is easy to follow. Map signs are available, but they are not easy to spot from the path.

17. Hit and miss

Front loading bins are a preferable choice for accessibility..

18. Not everything is accessible

There are island settings such as the picnic table that require grass or dirt crossing and no way of getting in when you arrive.

19. Camber

The levee path around the lake has a moderate camber toward the river on the northwest corner. You can choose to close the loop, but the mapped walk returns from here. There are no safety rails.