If you've already done your fair share of cross-country road trips, perhaps it's time to take to the water and experience Australia from an entirely new vantage point: the Murray River. It's been a long time coming, but the first ever luxury river cruise will officially debut later this year, departing from regional Victoria.
The winding 2,508-kilometre river will soon be home to a luxury 20-cabin vessel offering sightseeing cruises for 38 passengers at a time. The cruises will set off from the Port of Echuca, which was once Australia’s largest inland port and now is home to the world’s largest collection of paddlesteamers.
Currently in the final stages of construction, the PS Australian Star will stretch 35 metres, with a design that fuses heritage charm with contemporary luxury. And besides being Australia's first five-star river cruise experience, it'll also be the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the only wood-fired, five-star accommodated paddlesteamer in the world.
The paddlesteamer will be powered by a 9.5-tonne, refurbished wood-fired steam engine that's more than 100 years old, made back in 1907 by Richard Garrett & Sons.
"Australians love cruising, and they love the Murray River – but they want comfort and facilities akin to those on European rivers," says Craig Burgess, the Murray River Paddlesteamers director.
The 20 cabins will be a mix of both queen and king suites and queen and twin bed cabins, and all accommodations will open up to a verandah. On board, there will also be a fine dining restaurant, panoramic lounge, function area, bars and outside relaxation space.
At this stage, the vessel is expected to make its debut journey in November 2025, offering three, four and seven-night cruises year-round. On top of the on-board attractions, guests will also have the opportunity to explore riverside communities and attractions.
"Victoria's river country is already a compelling destination to visitors from across the world, and this latest attraction will draw even more visitors, support the communities that call them home and create more jobs," says Steve Dimopoulos, the minister for tourism, sport and major events.
To find out more about the upcoming PS Australian Star cruises, head to the website.
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