The much-anticipated launch on September 18, 2026, of Australia’s first, five-star, overnight river vessel, the new paddlesteamer, Australian Star, is not far away. And to celebrate, Murray River Paddlesteamers is offering savings of $500 per couple and a reduced solo supplement of 45 per cent on Australian Star’s three, four and seven-night cruises from the historic, Victorian river port of Echuca on the Murray River.
After successfully completing and passing all testing procedures and trials, PS Australian Star’s debut, three-night cruise on September 18, 2026, will herald an exciting new era of luxury cruising on the Murray River in the same style that has become so popular on rivers in Europe, Asia and America.
The all-new PS Australian Star transforms the iconic Murray River into a luxury cruise destination, inviting guests to enjoy a leisurely journey reminiscent of a bygone era. Blending heritage with contemporary elegance, the gleaming riverboat stands as the largest wood-fired paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere – and the world’s only five-star, sleep-onboard paddlesteamer, setting a new benchmark for river cruising.
With just 38 deluxe, air-conditioned staterooms, PS Australian Star captures the charm of a 19th-century paddlesteamer while offering modern comforts. Guests can relax in a plush lounge with panoramic river views, savour gourmet cuisine in the onboard restaurant, and enjoy multiple outdoor spaces perfect for taking in the scenery.
Backed by funding from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund and blending nostalgia with innovation, the vessel features an energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system, powered by an original 1907 wood-fired steam engine – infusing every journey with authenticity and a sense of wonder.
Gliding through the timeless landscapes of the Murray River, PS Australian Star offers intimate, all-inclusive journeys that immerse guests in the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of this legendary waterway. Each voyage is crafted for those who seek not just to travel, but to truly experience the heart of the river and quintessential Australian scenery in contemporary luxury, with daily excursions to farm stations, wineries and heritage towns and riverside barbecues beside crackling campfires and under starlit skies
Save $500 per couple on 2027 and 2028 sailings – Book by September 30, 2026
* Book a three, four or seven-night sailing aboard Australian Star in 2027 or 2028 and save $250 pp, twin-share
* Bonus offer on seven-night cruises – also receive a free night, pre-cruise, at the Mercure Port of Echuca motel
* Reduce solo supplement of 45 per cent instead of normal 75 per cent on selected 2027 and 2028 departures
Including the $250 per person saving, fares for Australian Star in 2027 and 2028 are available from A$3045 per person, twin-share, for a three-night cruise, A$4145 ppts for a four-night cruise, and from A$6745 for a seven-night cruise.
Fares include return V/Line rail transfers between Melbourne and Echuca, gourmet meals onboard, daily excursions and experiences, Echuca cruise transfers, Wi-Fi, gratuities, selected beers and wines with dinner and soft drink, bottled water and tea/coffee throughout the cruise.
Book by September 30, 2026. Visit www.murrayriverpaddlesteamers.
* Murray River Paddlesteamers is part of the APT Travel Group and offers a 10 per cent commission for travel agents
