Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are the best times to visit. The temperatures are comfortable, the river is likely to be running well after winter rains, and the red gum forests are at their most atmospheric. The paddlesteamers run year-round, but the experience is considerably better when you are not sweating through summer heat on an exposed deck.
Summer (December to February) is hot — inland Victoria can push 40°C on bad days, and the Murray becomes murky and slow in the heat. It is also peak tourist season, when the port precinct and the paddlesteamer bookings fill up. If you come in summer, arrive early and plan river activities for the morning.
Winter is quiet and sometimes cold, though mild by Victorian inland standards. The river can be beautiful in the low light, and you will have the wharf largely to yourself. Some cafes and smaller attractions reduce their hours.
The Echuca–Moama Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival, held in June, is the most notable annual event — a long weekend of music on the river, with local food and wine. It draws significant crowds and accommodation books out months ahead.