Melbourne to Echuca road trip: Driving time, distance & stops
The drive from Melbourne to Echuca is 223km long on the quickest route. That means a Melbourne to Echuca driving time of 2h32m. You may as well take the shorter 214km road trip route through the Heathcote wine region, which takes three minutes longer.
The Victorian town of Echuca is one of the most appealing settlements along the Murray River. Echuca offers paddlesteamer cruises from its huge, historic wooden wharf, plus after dark tours with plenty of ghost stories. It’s also a good base for walks in the Barmah National Park and exploring amongst the red gums in the Murray Valley National Park.
One other major factor in Echuca’s favour is that it is relatively easy to get to from one of Australia’s big cities. The drive from Melbourne to Echuca is much shorter than the drive from Adelaide to Mildura or Sydney to Albury. It’s the closest point on the Murray River to the Victorian capital. And, back in the 19th century, this geographical proximity made Echuca Australia’s biggest inland port.
To fix your Echuca accommodation, look through your options here.
Melbourne to Echuca driving distance
According to Google Maps, the quickest drive from Melbourne to Echuca is 223km long. This route starts off along the Calder Highway before passing through largely agricultural land on the C326 and C327. The Melbourne to Echuca drive skirts close to the Organ Pipes National Park, Mt Macedon, Woodend and Trentham Falls, should you wish to break the journey. On this route, the Melbourne to Echuca driving time is around two hours and 32 minutes.
This is – only just – the quickest route to Echuca from Melbourne. But it is not the shortest route.
👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇
- Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
- Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
- Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
- Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
- Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
- Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
- Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.
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Melbourne to Echuca road trip via Heathcote
That 214km alternative route largely goes along the C325 and B75, with a Melbourne to Echuca driving time of around two hours and 35 minutes. This route is arguably more attractive, however, as it passes through the Heathcote wine region. Why not stop at a cellar door or two on the way, and pick up a big, bold shiraz to take with you?
Your Echuca checklist
- Combine a one hour Murray River paddlesteamer cruise with lunch at Morrison’s Winery.
- Book a nature-focused guided e-bike tour.
- Or an extended three hour e-bike tour with a winery visit.
- Find the best deals on Echuca accommodation.
Melbourne to Echuca train
The other alternative for getting from Melbourne to Echuca is to take a Vline train. One direct train service to Echuca leaves from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station per day. This is slower than driving, however – the Melbourne to Echuca train takes around three hours and 28 minutes.
Echuca accommodation options include the helpfully central Settlement Historic Hotel, the Nirebo Motel by the river and the roomy Clocktower Suites.
Book your Echuca accommodation
The best Echuca accommodation options are:
- For a solid motel with low rates: Paddlewheel Motel.
- For prime position in the historic Port of Echuca: Campapse Lodge.
- For apartments with a touch of style: Cocknbull Boutique Hotel.
- For a family-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Echuca.
14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne
- Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
- See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
- Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
- A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
- The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
- Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
- Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
- Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.
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