LOCAL FAMILY FUN : “What to do with the kids while in Echuca Moama..." An INSIDER'S GUIDE14/11/2020  There's no shortage of things to do in all seasons when visiting Echuca/Moama.    ABOVE: Cactus Country in our region has become a national drawcard with its Mexican themed nights and sunset tours A day trip to Cactus Country (above) or an old country pub for a traditional counter meal with the locals are unique ways to spend an afternoon or summer evening.  You'II feel brand new after feeling your feet in the Murray sand, lapping up the warm water before gliding away into the sun. The Foundry arts space is one block stroll from Heygarth House Treehouse Hideouts Accommodation. The Foundry arts space (above) in the Port is always a thoughtful way to fill in an hour en route the river. The local arts initiative are tireless in their efforts to put together viewing of impressive contemporary and local folk artwork.  Our friends Kathryn Mackenzie and her team at at Echuca Moama Tourism Info Centre (located just 3 blocks from us on Heygarth St) have a killer website, abundant with brochures of family fun activities and food and wine options. BELOW: Moama Beach Moama Beach allows swimmers to walk out into the middle of the river on an extended sand bank and watch the sun go down while watching the lights of the Wharf and Paddlesteamers fade. Its located directly opposite Heygarth House Treehouse Hideouts (through the Aquatic Reserve and over the Moama bridge.)  
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 Heygarth House is one of Echuca’s most historic buildings designed by the noted German architect William Vahland, a goldfields architect who built many buildings across Bendigo, Rochester and Echuca.🏡 It is a richly decorated two story Italianate building, built as a residence in 1876. It is one of a number of beautifully designed buildings by WC Vahland in Echuca. The property is steep in town history. Once a hospital (you'II note the flag crosses on top of the building above the balcony) Dr Henry Crossen, an Irishman, erected this unusual Italianate residence in 1876 after having practised as a surgeon in the town since 1863.  The verandah and balcony were added in 1897 by Dr G. Eakins, Crossen's successor, during whose term the building also became a Lying-in Hospital with a TB Infirmary. From 1876 the premises were used continuously as a doctor's surgery, except for a period during World War II when it became a boarding house while the owner Dr D. Brown was at the war. Drs. J. Jones and C. Moysey joined Dr Brown in 1953 and remained in practice here until the building was sold in 1999 to Barry and Jan Donchi, local timber merchants and developers who also developed Perricoota Vines in Moama's winery district across the river. In the past ten years it has acted as offices for local council. In 2018 it was re-imagined and launched as renovated holiday lodgings by their photographer daughter. MORE INFO AT treehousehideouts.com.au PHOTOS BELOW: Completed renovations at Heygarth House - now a Port-side Accommodation Favourite Win a couple's getaway on the Murray thanks to Echuca Moama Tourism. Prize includes... ▪️ 2 nights accommodation in Echuca at Tree House Hideouts Echuca & Mathoura · Heygarth House - Self-contained. ▪️ Tasting at St Annes Winery, Echuca & Moama (Port of Echuca). ▪️ Special St Anne's Wine Pack ▪️ Forever Fresh Echuca - Grazing Box - Selection of cheeses, fruit and tasty morsels. ▪️ Pacdon Park – Breakfast Box – A selection of local hams and pork products. To enter, simply like and share this post on Facebook & like the Echuca Moama Tourism page. One entry per person. Conditions apply* Winner drawn at random Friday, October 16th, 2020 at 9am AEDT. *(Blackout periods AFL/Melbourne Cup – Prize must be taken before 19th December 2020). Competition is also running on Geelong Times Facebook page. ccommodation provided by Treehouse Hideouts : Heygarth House- photos below.  Well regarded all over Victoria as one of the most spectacular indoor wedding and function venue, Radcliffes Echuca is known for its spectacular indoor vines that transform a broad open space into an intimate dream scape for diners and wedding revellers. The sumptuous dining options includes traditional steaks and in summer a beautiful array of seafood dishes. Their desserts are to die for and the waiting staff discreet and efficient. The wines offered here and in the adjoining Port 53 restaurant are no ordinary wine selection. The master minds behind Radcliffes have hand selected boutique local and rural Australian wines to complement each dish.
Located in the Port of Echuca, just a 3 minute stroll from Heygarth House (Treehouse Hideouts Accomodation) and Endota Spa, guests of Radcliffes wedding and social events can enjoy a weekend of exploration on foot and relaxation all day with walks past the Paddlesteamer fleet on the nearby Murray river under the shady gums whilst dropping in to the Foundry Art Gallery, Black Pudding Cafe for breakfast, the local ice cream shoppe in the afternoon and Endota spa for a massage or skin treatment. If you’re coming a long way to attend a function or wedding at Radcliffes, book in for this rare accommodation at Heygarth House so you can stroll back to luxury beds within minutes after a long and fun night at Radcliffes. They offer 3 apartment options. A) Book entire 2 storey Townhouse (max 15 guests) of 2 apartments joined by staircases. B) Balcony Level apartment (2, 4 or 6 guests max) C) Ground Level Deluxe Apartment (max 9 guests) Each apartment is fully self contained with full kitchens and bathrooms with baths and double shower. A huge balcony upstairs is as big as a dining room. The courtyard in the downstairs apartment leafy and lovely. In just one block in town you have all you need. Accommodation, bottle shop, Radcliffes and Port 53, Endota soa, gift shops, parks, river walks, Sciencetwists museums for the kids. And free parking! To book see buttons below this gorgeous picture of a Radcliffes dish. YUM.   No longer just a vantage point from which to watch ye olde world steamers pass by on the Murray, Echuca Moama is rivalling Victorian country towns Kyneton and Daylesford as the state's lifestyle destination capital. Ear-marked by day-trippers, public holiday makers and tree changers alike, the region has taken off and shows no signs of turning back. With an increase in young families and tree changers seeking a slower lifestyle in the country, Echuca Moama is enjoying a renaissance as a destination hot spot. Like the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Lorne, Echuca has always been well known for its dining options. But the variety of eclectic eateries appearing in the past five years is a genuine indication of cultural progress. Offering everything from exotic Asian menus at Monkee. Co to Italian ala carte at Ceres to Port-side gourmet pizzas at the Star Bar, tapas plates at The Mill, vegan delicacies at The Sweet Meadow and Yanky burgers at The American, foodies slot in all over the local food map to indulge. Weekenders continue to enjoy the tried and true Morrisons or Cape Horn winery experiences on the Murray while festival goers flock to hipster food vans for stroll-sip-and-nibble weekends on footpaths that run adjacent to the town. With sprawling housing estates popping up on the outskirts of both towns, hobby farms are in bloom to accommodate for adventurous young local families and day trippers. The Strawberry Pick, Billabong Horse Ranch and the gloriously kitsch Aussie Beer Shed and Cactus Country are wildly popular spots off the beaten track that give children and adults the opportunity to interact with nature in the fresh country air. Pictured above, the Strawberry Pick off Scott Rd in Echuca Village sells freshly picked punnets, sorbets, jams and chocolate dips from a caravan on site and runs Jam Making workshops for berry enthusiasts.  A gallop on a horse through the sun-filtered bushlands is a tonic many busy Melbournians only dream about. At Billabong Ranch and hobby farm, hosts guide the newly initiated through the necessary training steps. Short and long trots can be arranged and children's activities on site allow families to fill in an afternoon roaming nature while befriending and feeding the animals. A plant based, vegan cafe in the Port of Echuca, The Sweet Meadow (pictured below) has been written about in Melbourne's famed Broadsheet magazine and is hotly discussed, Victoria wide. Its not unusual for out of towners to take a day trip just to visit Aishe's gorgeous cafe with its seasonal menu and immaculately conceived interior. The success of The Sweet Meadow speaks of a growing sense of the contemporary in the area. The smashed avo, buckwheat pancakes, freshly brewed coffee with coconut, almond or soy milk and seasonal pressed green juices are lovingly put together and served amongst local wattles and passing horses and drays.  Annual favourites for thousands of Victorians with tickets selling out within weeks, Riverboats Music Festival and Winter Blues Fest have helped bolster Echuca Moama's rising popularity as a centre for laid back but avant garde music performance and art exhibitions. Riverboats Music Fest accommodates its audience comfortably by keeping tickets limited, not over-populating the natural ampitheatre to capacity, allowing music lovers to lounge around on picnic blankets and visit food vans in a non crowded atmosphere. Headline acts share the spotlight with family members and low key emerging folk starlets at both festivals, with the cobbled streets of Echuca's historic port and its many venues acting as make shift stages during Winter Blues.  Once known exclusively for its cheese and chocolate shops, saddleries and breweries, the brick end of High St is progressing into a retail precinct with the opening of designer homewares emporiums I Want I Need and Under The Gable. The strip has welcomed retro-tinged boutiques Vintage Vinyl, Mad Hatter Tea Shop, Millewa Spa, Echuca Food Store, The Barber Shop and All Vintages Bazaar alongside the many clothing stores and bakeries.  Kitschy cute cushions on display at I Want I Need in the Port of Echuca.  Pictured Above: St Anne's Vineyard wine tasting outlet in the Wharf area remains a popular drop in spot for visitors on the lookout for rare bottles of red, white and port.  Above: The newly refurbished American Hotel in the heart of town is adjacent to two of the most popular AirBnB properties on the map. Namely Heygarth House and The White House.  With the rise in popularity of cosy and affordable AirBnB properties, over sterile hotel venues, Heygarth House which is adjacent to The Dock restaurant and The American Hotel bar and night-club, is booked out each weekend. The proximity to local music festival activity and all the cafes, boutiques and bars in the Port of Echuca has made the historic Italianite residence a favourite with visitors who wish to discover the town on foot rather than spend time and money chasing taxis. Above: Heygarth House features Italianite architecture, rustic fireplaces, a kitchenette, petite bathroom, a spacious living area, three televisions, Netflix and free wifi, 2 large bedrooms and a huge outdoor eating and living area on the balcony which over look the river gums and the historic Port. Guests comment on its olde world charm, hearty views and unbeatable location. The newly landscaped Hopwood Gardens mix oriental botanics with towering gums. Adjacent to the Paddlesteamer dock, the Port Ice Creamery and the recently renovated Bridge Hotel, families enjoy shaded afternoons on the lawn before a stroll to the colourfully retro Holden Car Museum on Warren St. The staggering beauty of sunsets over the Historic Wharf have failed to lose an inch of their charm even decades after the international success of the miniseries All The Rivers Run. Its true. These days, there are more massage and beauty salons in Echuca than service stations which speaks of the town's commitment to wellness. Aromatic scents, green teas served in waiting rooms, cruelty free product ranges and exotic treatments have been introduced to the local beauty spa scene, allowing patrons to indulge in pampering previously only afforded in metropolitan areas. Once the playground of high velocity speedboat skiiers, the Murray River in Echuca Moama has been reclaimed late by the slow living set. The not uncommon sight of young people slowly gliding over the waterways at sunrise and sundown has the Stand Up Paddleboard trend to thank for an increase in lovely and lazy water sports.   The Barmah Forest (above) a short drive from Moama's entrance remains one of Victoria's best kept secrets. The abundant wildlife, wetlands and the hum of Yorta Yorta culture holds spiritual resonance for visitors who cite the awe-inspiring tranquility and untouched beauty of the World Heritage listed forest. The mist over the waters near the Dharnya Centre has to be experienced in the early hours of the morning for full effect. Guided tours with Kingfisher Cruises are available for those seeking an informed yet slow paced meander through the wetlands. The Mill Tapas Bar (below) on Nish St Echuca was previously a Flour Mill and is a stunning example of how the people of Echuca Moama have turned a rich history into a contemporary experience for locals and visitors alike.  Echuca Moama has evolved beyond measure in the past thirty years. With the new river crossing funded and the ambitious Bridge Art Project set to unravel in 2021, one can only imagine how exciting the next twenty years will be for the twin towns. Colonial founders, Henry Hopwood and James Maiden would be tipping their top hats with pride. Top of the Day to ye, welcome travellers! Save a penny and see you soon. xo All images supplied or sourced.   The Winner
Thank you all for your enthusiastic entries to our Weekend Giveaway Prize. We hope to see ALL of you at Treehouse over the coming year as we announce specials and further giveaways. We are delighted to announce Warren Penna of Melbourne as the recipient of the Winter 2020 giveaway in this lovely balcony apartment at Heygarth House. We wish Warren and his husband all the best in their cancer journey and hope you enjoy your weekend together at Heygarth House as a well deserved respite. All our love, Treehouse Hideouts Echuca  UPDATED 3 JULY 2020 CURRENT LOCAL ADVICE RE: COVID19 Due to the day to day changes occurring in regards to travel during Covid19 in Victoria, we are directing guests to the most trusted source for latest local updates. Our good friends at Echuca Moama Tourism have started a very hand online bulletin with up to date travel info and links to all the local businesses that are operating (opening hours, restrictions etc).
Please don't hesitate to contact us or the good folk at EMT for further information. 1800 804 446  UPDATED 16 JUNE 2020 WE'RE BACK IN BUSINESS! Thanks to the lessening of restrictions we welcome all guests back to Tree House Hideouts Echuca and Mathoura for country getaways. Our staff continue to operate to the highest of hygienic standards and we provide complimentary hand sanitiser at all properties to keep things safe for all. Our cleaners have been trained in Covid19 sanitation practices and we ask all guests to notify us before arrival if they have any symptoms of the virus so we can discuss cancellation or postponement in the interests of all staff and guests health and safety. TREEHOUSE HIDEOUTS COVID19 SAFETY POLICY JULY 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pre Check-In Requirements Dear Guest, In the interest of protecting the health and well-being of our guests and staff we may be required to ask you questions related to your travel and health activities prior to your arrival. We ask that you are honest and take your share of responsibility when preparing for your stay. How to stay safe during Covid-19 : If you or someone you are with feels unwell : • Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) • Please also let management know. IMPORTANT: If you/they have severe difficulty breathing, call triple zero (000) immediately and tell the call handler and the paramedics on arrival about your/their recent travel history and any close contact with a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19. COVIDSafe APP All guests are encouraged to have downloaded and activated the COVIDSafe app and keep Bluetooth switched on at all times during their stay. Practice good hand hygiene. Hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer before and after any contact with surfaces that are used by more than one person. Follow Health Department guidelines:
Use good respiratory Hygiene: Avoid touching your face and make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose when you cough and/or sneeze with:
At all times guests are to adhere to the current state rules regarding social distancing and gathering size. All guests are required to note and comply with signage regarding the maximum number of people allowed in indoor locations. This signage is based on the State’s current guidance. Social distancing includes remaining at least 1.5 meters away from other persons, regular washing of hands, and avoiding handshaking. Follow all instructions provided by staff. Guests are to follow all instructions and directions provided by staff relating to staying safe and reducing the potential spread of the virus. This includes:
PLEASE NOTE: Guests have the same duty of care as the staff - this is everyone’s responsibility Regards, MANAGEMENT TREEHOUSE HIDEOUTS SAFETY MARCH 2020 In times of uncertainty, we are so grateful for the wonderful community that surrounds us. Treehouse Hideouts has always operated as a team, and you as a customer have always been invited into the narrative of our “Treehouse Hideouts Family.” We truly value our relationship with you and would like to reassure you all of where we position ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Firstly, we would like to thank all those working in the hospitality sector and our staff for their support. We would also like to extend our thoughts out to all those who are directly or indirectly being impacted by this pandemic. OUR PLEDGE - March 2020 The well-being and safety of our staff and guests is the most important thing to us at this time. We have been in contact with local authorities and are adhering to advice from the State and Federal Governments & the World Health Organization. Our staff have been briefed on the situation and we pledge to uphold the following:
Treehouse Hideouts management will be here to answer any concerns our guests have. We would like to thank all of you, our Treehouse Hideouts family for supporting us during this time and we look forward to seeing you on the other side of this pandemic when you will be able to Unpack & Relax & Explore Portside. Yours sincerely, Management www.treehousehideouts.com.au 
 A THANK YOU GIFT TO ALL OUR TREE HOUSE GUESTS WHO BOOK DIRECT: RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY FRESH BREAKFAST PROVISIONS Provisions Include: Fresh sourdough bread, milk, country farm eggs, orange juice, butter, cherry tomatoes, 2 x cereal brands, tea, coffee and sugar. For use in your fully self contained kitchen. TO CLAIM Simply Cite "Breakfast Offer" In Your Booking Notes To Claim BOOK DIRECT HERE: https://www.treehousehideouts.com.au/book-now.htm TERMS * Offer applicable to direct bookings only. (Not applicable on any bookings made through 3rd party booking sites.) * Delivered once only before stay (not daily if staying more than one night).  WHY BOOK DIRECT? WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
While we understand that third party booking sites are quick and easy at times and we've all gotten used to booking whatever is on the first page of google, we need to be more aware that when we book with a third party site, we are all sending profits abroad, undercutting hard working locals and making things even harder not only for our children's future but for all Australians who are trying to offer independent, lovingly run accommodation options. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT? We can all do a lot more than we realise. Resist the instant convenience of booking the quickest link you see on google. Find out the contact details of the place you'd like to book and contact their front office. They usually have competitive deals and are happy to offer loyalty rewards. Try to always book direct, wherever you choose to stay, by finding the official website or calling management. Thank you for supporting small business. Enjoy the fresh breakfast as our thank you gift.  The gorgeous 4 bedroom renovation downstairs at Heygarth House is finished. We're officially taking bookings for the ENTIRE townhouse - 15 guests max (as well as continuing the 2 bedroom Airbnb upstairs as usual - 6 guests). And now the downstairs residence for groups of up to 9 (4 bedrooms). GUEST CAPACITY - OPTIONS
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