Rob Blackburn – 2009 – The Murray
One third of sailings for the first year of operations of Australia’s first five-star, overnight riverboat, PS Australian Star, have been filled 15 months ahead of the vessel’s launch, following a new charter partnership between the boat’s owners, Murray River Paddlesteamers, and APT, Australia’s leading tour and cruise operator.
As a charter partner, APT has secured 16 seven-night sailings from June, 2025, when PS Australian Star makes its debut on the Murray River, to early 2026 – or one third of all departures of Australian Star’s first year of operations. As part of APT’s new Murray River tour package, guests can relax in the contemporary luxury of PS Australian Star and indulge in APT’s exclusive signature experiences.
Currently under construction, the state-of-the-art, $6.75 million Australian Star will offer the nation’s first-ever five-star, overnight river cruises. Fusing heritage and luxury, the 38-guest vessel will be the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the only wood-fired, five-star, accommodated paddlesteamer in the world, offering year-round, all-inclusive cruises of up to a week on the iconic Murray from Echuca in Victoria.
Backed by $2.25 million in funding by the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund, PS Australian Star will succeed the smaller and older, 16-guest PS Emmylou which currently offers overnight cruises for Murray Rivert Paddlesteamers.
Bookings for the maiden season of PS Australian Star opened on February 5, 2024.
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director, Craig Burgess, said the company was delighted to partner with APT which, he said, had recognised from an early stage the potential demand for Australia’s first luxury, river cruise product.
“APT is a major player in luxury travel and brings to the table a vast and thriving market and sales network, both domestically and internationally.” Mr Burgess said. “This collaboration marries our brand new cruise product with APT’s prowess and innovation in tour packaging to create exceptional and unique holidays that will attract new high-yield visitors to Victoria and the Murray region for the first time,” he said.
“The APT charters, coupled with strong, general early bookings, garner well for the success of Australian Star from 2025. It’s clear our exciting new vessel will prove incredibly popular and successful, drawing more visitors from around Australia and overseas as well as lucrative tour group business.”
APT’s General Manager of Product and Operations, Mladen Vukic, said: “We are thrilled to elevate the standard of luxury cruising on the Murray River through our partnership with Murray River Paddlesteamers. This collaboration allows us to bring the renowned APT luxury and service to this iconic Australian waterway. We’re excited to offer our guests an unparalleled, all-inclusive experience aboard the PS Australian Star, all while experiencing the impeccable service APT is known for.”
Blending vintage charm and contemporary elegance, the new five-star PS Australian Star will boast a deluxe and contemporary lounge offering sweeping river vistas, a fine-dining restaurant, multiple outdoor relaxation areas, an elevator and 19 plush and modern staterooms, all opening to a deck and offering an ensuite, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury linen and a TV entertainment system, as well as ever-changing river views.
Australian Star will sport a modern, energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system featuring a refurbished 1907 Richard Garrett and Sons wood-fired steam engine, adding a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to the journey.
