Murray River Paddlesteamers ushers in an exciting new era in Australian river cruising with the debut of the PS Australian Star, Australia’s first five-star overnight riverboat, this spring.
This new vessel is slated to offer cruises of up to a week long on the Murray River from Echuca in Victoria.
In celebration of the vessel’s debut, Murray River Paddlesteamers is offering savings of up to 15 percent on four summer sailings aboard PS Australian Star in January 2026, with the bonus of a bar credit on selected journeys, for those booking by 30th June of this year.
An elegant mix of tradition and modernity
The 38-guest PS Australian Star, which is currently under construction in Mildura, fuses heritage and contemporary elegance and will be the first five-star river vessel in Australia, the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the only wood-fired, five-star, accommodated paddlesteamer in the world.
The modern-day paddlesteamer will also sport a modern, energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system featuring the 1907 wood-fired steam engine, adding a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to the journey.
The new AU$7 million vessel will begin offering year-round cruises of between three and seven nights on the Murray River from Echuca from spring 2025.
PS Australian Star will boast a deluxe lounge offering sweeping river vistas, a fine-dining restaurant, multiple outdoor relaxation areas and 19 sleek staterooms, all opening to a deck and offering an en suite, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury linens, and ever-changing river views.
