Hundreds of people were scattered throughout the Port of Echuca on Thursday, November 6.

Waiting patiently on the platforms under the afternoon sun, many onlookers were brandishing Murray River flags, their attention trained down river.

Just before 3.30pm, the sound of steam whistle carried through the crowd’s chatter, followed by three blowing in unison.

The coalition of capital-named paddlesteamers were near.

Around 3.40pm, two vintage speedboats appeared from around the bend, heralding the arrival of the embattled PS Melbourne, about to make her historic return to town.

She chugged into view shortly after with the PS Adelaide by her side, and the PS Canberra in tow, all three sounding their whistles triumphantly.

The Melbourne’s 34-day journey from Mildura was complete, marking the first time she had seen the port in over 60 years.

Owner Adam Auditori said he didn’t expect the journey to be finished so soon, but he was happy with the result.

“The boat lived here for so long, and it was a real desire of mine to see it come back to Echuca,” he said.

“It’s just nice to give something to the community.”

Mr Auditori has been involved with ships at the port since he was 14, and invested in the Moama slipway to get it re-certified.

He has completed the Mildura to Echuca journey six times before, but never on a boat as large as the Melbourne, which hit multiple snags on the way home.

The ship’s turbulent trip captured more than the local imagination, with Facebook updates on the Melbourne garnering 2.4 million interactions by early November.

Due to a last-minute revocation of a public mooring licence by Campaspe Shire Council, Mr Auditori said the ship would temporarily dock at Moama wharf, from where he planned to run discounted rides over the weekend.

Celebrating both the journey’s end and his 25th birthday, captain Angus Jaensch said the past month had been quite the adventure.

“There was plenty of backwards and forwards on the wheel, that’s for sure. I’ve got sore arms,” he said.

“Sixty years since this left, and to bring it back, I feel very privileged to be behind the wheel and in charge of the trip.”

The last time a similar sized boat made a comparable voyage was around 35 years ago, completed on high river by the PS Oscar W from Goolwa.

Port of Echuca marketing manager Gerard Oman was dressed in old-time regalia as he handed out flags to spectators on a viewing platform.

The port assisted with the Meeting of the Capitals — also a brainchild of Mr Auditori’s, who had envisioned the gathering for years — which drew an enormous crowd.

“It’s great to welcome the PS Melbourne back to Echuca. It’s been many years since it’s been here, and it’ll be a great addition to the paddlesteamers,” Mr Oman said.

“A lot of people have been following the Melbourne’s journey ... and a lot of people have been quite excited to see it finally reach Echuca.”

Local historian Ted Freeman was among the keen observers, and has been enthusiastic about paddlesteamers for many years.

With a family connection to the ships via her husband, who is a descendant of prominent paddlesteamer traders, she was thrilled to see the PS Melbourne’s return.

“I can’t believe we got it back,” she said.

“And look at the town — it’s grown on this. Once the railways left and we got trucks, this town was dying, but because of tourism, it’s now thriving again.”

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